However, I believe that it is important to point out when there is evidence of an organized effort to infiltrate organizations of whatever nature. I make this statement simply as a matter of clarification. Who is your next witness? Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. George B. Rossini. Mr. JACKSON. You swear that the testimony you are about to give before this committee will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Mr. ROSSINI. I do. TESTIMONY OF GEORGE B. ROSSINI Mr. TAVENNER. What is your name, please, sir? Mr. TAVENNER. What is your position, Mr. Rossini? Mr. ROSSINI. Chief criminal deputy in the United States marshal's office. Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. Rossini, there was testimony by the last witness, Miss Libby Burke, that as a result of a speech made by her at the union hall on August 20 a subpena for her was issued. Mr. MOULDER. August 20, what year? Mr. TAVENNER. That is August 20, 1952. A subpena was issued for her appearance before this committee. I have asked you to examine your records, because the original subpena as issued by the committee is in Washington, and we are unable to produce it at this moment. So, as I say, I have asked you to examine your records to see whether or not you had the subpena in your possession prior to the date on which she says it was issued. Mr. ROSSINI. Our records show that on July 28, 1952, an assignment was made to one of our deputies to attempt to serve Miss Burke. Our second record shows that on August 19 the same deputy, August 19, 1952, the same deputy attempted to make service on Miss Burke, and our records show that on August 21, 1952, the service was made on Miss Burke. Mr. TAVENNER. Where was that service made upon her August 21? Mr. ROSSINI. 5503 Denny. That is what the records show. Mr. TAVENNER. Do you know whether that was the residence of Miss Burke at that time? Mr. ROSSINI. That I don't know, but I think it was the address that was on the subpena when we originally received it. Mr. TAVENNER. Your records show first that you had the subpena in your possession on or prior to July 28, 1952? Mr. ROSSINI. Yes, sir. Mr. TAVENNER. Do you know how long you had that subpena before you made an effort to serve it? Mr. ROSSINI. No, sir; I don't. I would have to guess at that. Maybe a day or two. Mr. TAVENNER. I have no further questions. Just a moment, Mr. Rossini. What was the address, again, that your records show service to have been made at? Mr. ROSSINI. 5503 Denny. Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. Chairman, that is the same address given by the witness a few minutes ago when she signed her voucher for her attendance fee. Mr. ROSSINI. I might say this is the first subpena. The second subpena was not served at that address. Mr. CLARDY. May I inquire, Mr. Chairman, just to be sure of the actual date again, that service was finally made? I want to be sure it is clearly in here. Mr. JACKSON. It is. Mr. TAVENNER. The witness testified it was August 21. Mr. CLARDY. August 21. Is my recollection correct that the witness testified that it was delivered to the witness the early part of September? Mr. WALTER. Testified it was served on the 4th of September. Mr. SCHERER. When did she say she made her appearance on the floor of the union? Mr. TAVENNER. The 20th of August. Mr. JACKSON. Is there any reason why the witness should not be excused? Mr. TAVENNER. No, sir. Mr. JACKSON. Thank you, sir. TESTIMONY OF NAOMI ROBESON, ACCOMPANIED BY HER COUNSEL, WILLIAM B. ESTERMAN AND DANIEL G. MARSHALL Mr. JACKSON. Raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Mrs. ROBESON. Yes. Mr. JACKSON. Please be seated. You may proceed. Mr. TAVENNER. What is your name, please? Mrs. ROBESON. I just wonder if I might thank you gentlemen for waiting for me here today. Mr. TAVENNER. That is not necessary. Mrs. ROBESON. Well, I have a child at home with the mumps and I wanted to be sure no one got it. Mr. TAVENNER. I understand that. That isn't necessary. What is your name, please? Mrs. ROBESON. My name is Naomi Robeson. Mr. TAVENNER. Are you accompanied by counsel? Mrs. ROBESON. Yes; I am. Mr. TAVENNER. Will counsel please identify themselves for the record. Mr. ESTERMAN. William B. Esterman. Mr. MARSHALL. Daniel G. Marshall. Mr. TAVENNER. Will you state to the committee please, the place of your birth? Mrs. ROBESON. Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. TAVENNER. What is your occupation? Mrs. ROBESON. I am a mother and a homemaker and once upon a time I was an actress. Mr. TAVENNER. During what period of time were you an actress? Mrs. ROBESON. Well, I was in Sunday-school plays when I was a little girl and school plays. Mr. TAVENNER. I am not speaking of the time when you were a child. Mrs. ROBESON. Well, all through my school life and college life, I think. Mr. TAVENNER. Let me ask you this question: How long have you lived in Los Angeles? Mrs. ROBESON. Since 1942. Mr. TAVENNER. And have you engaged in the practice of your profession of acting since 1942? Mrs. ROBESON. Well, on and off. My major job since I have been here has been raising my children. Mr. TAVENNER. I am sorry, but I didn't hear you. Mrs. ROBESON. My most important job while I have been here has been raising my children. I have acted on occasion, now and then. I would just like to say that if, if I may, the part that was most important to me in my life, if I might, the acting part-I have done work in Mr. TAVENNER. Was your acting confined to the stage or was it also in the movies? Mrs. ROBESON. On the stage and in some motion-picture work, some radio work, and some television work. Mr. TAVENNER. What screen credits have you received in the motion-picture industry for acting? Mrs. ROBESON. No screen credits, unfortunately. Mr. TAVENNER. What are the major productions in which you have taken part. Mrs. ROBESON. In motion pictures? Mr. TAVENNER. Yes. Mrs. ROBESON. Well, they have been bit parts, really. As I say, since I have been here, it has been so sporadic. I have been mostly at home with my children and there have been just bit parts. The part, if I may tell you about it, the stage part that I really-the part that meant the most to me, I think, the part of Manuela that I once played in, in a play called Girls in Uniform, and I think it was most important to me because it was the part of the destruction of a young girl in a regimented school. That was very important to me and it has been important to the rest of my children. Mr. TAVENNER. Prior to 1942, where did you engage in acting? Mrs. ROBESON. Well, that was mostly-well, that was more stage experience before coming out here. I was at the Cleveland Playhouse in Cleveland. I did, oh, just some little things in New York. The play was a terrible turkey, if you know what I mean. Mr. WALTER. Was that the Sunday-school play? Mr. TAVENNER. Mrs. Robeson, Mr. Owen Vinson appeared as a witness before this committee and testified that he had been a member of the radio group of the Communist Party-that is a group of Communist Party members within the radio field, and that for a period of time he was the treasurer of that group and collected the dues from various individuals. He also testified that the amount that he collected sometimes amounted to $500 or $600 a month. He was asked the question as to what he did with the money and stated that he turned it over to you. Now, was that true or was it false? (At this point Mrs. Robeson conferred with Mr. Esterman and Mr. Marshall.) Mrs. ROBESON. I wonder, Mr. Tavenner, if my able counsel could cross-examine this gentleman-I don't know if I should call him a gentleman or not. Mr. JACKSON. No; I am sorry. The rules of the committee have been well known to counsel for a long time, I am sure, in spite of the recurring questions which I am also sure are simply for the purpose of making a record. However, for the 10th time, the rules of the committee do not permit your counsel to cross-examine the witnesses. Mrs. ROBESON. Excuse me. (At this point Mrs. Robeson conferred with Mr. Esterman and Mr. Marshall.) Mr. MOULDER. Before answering that question, I would like to ask you, How do you think it would assist you in giving the answers or declining to answer, which you are about to do, to have your attorneys have the privilege of cross-examining this witness you have named? (At this point Mrs. Robeson conferred with Mr. Esterman and Mr, Marshall.) Mrs. ROBESON. I suppose this whole matter is a legal matter which I would have to refer to my attorneys. (At this point Mrs. Robeson conferred with Mr. Esterman and Mr. Marshall.) Mrs. ROBESON. And they assure me—perhaps if this is the beginning of a new procedure to be established by this committee, I think I would have to ask my lawyers to speak to you personally about it. These are legal matters, you know, and I am a mother and former actress and not a lawyer. If you would like my lawyers to speak to you about it now, fine. Mr. JACKSON. Not at all. Mr. WALTER. That is a pleasure we will have to forego this after noon. Mr. JACKSON. May the Chair say that your counsel are certainly aware of the rules of the committee, aware that the rules of this cominitee, like the rules of the other standing committees and the House of Representatives itself, do not permit cross-examination of witnesses; and further, to forestall what I imagine will be another request, if you have a written statement to file with the committee we will be glad to receive it and consider it. Proceed, counsel. Mr. TAVENNER. May I have an answer to the question? Mrs. ROBESON. I think the question you asked me was whether this was true or false, was that it, Mr. Tavenner? Mr. TAVENNER. Yes; whether the Communist Party dues from the radio group were turned over to you by Mr. Vinson, Owen Vinson. Mrs. ROBESON. Yes. Since I am not being permitted to crossexamine the gentleman in question, I will, of course, refuse to answer this question out of my own conscience and I would like to state my reasons for so refusing. Mr. JACKSON. Do you decline to answer the question? Mrs. ROBESON. Yes, I do. I most certainly decline. Mr. JACKSON. Very well, proceed. Mrs. ROBESON. And I decline to answer this question primarily, I think, as a mother, because I feel that- 31747-53-pt. 3- -5 Mr. TAVENNER. Just a moment. Mr. JACKSON. Order in the hearing room. Mr. TAVENNER. I am not attempting to imply in any way that this money was personal money. This money was official money raised through dues and assessments in the Communist Party. That is the money I am speaking of. (At this point Mrs. Robeson conferred with Mr. Esterman and Mr. Marshall.) Mr. CLARDY. And may I suggest something? We are not attacking the institution of motherhood in that question and I think the witness should be directed to answer in one fashion or another. Mr. JACKSON. The witness has, as I understand it, declined to answer the pending question. She is now about to embark on what I trust will not be too lengthy an explanation. Mrs. ROBESON. No, it won't, but it is meant most sincerely. This is a very important question. The whole realm of these questions-is important and it is very important to me to answer a question in this general field of questioning as I see fit and as comes from my conscience and if I may I will be brief, and I want to say it. Mr. DOYLE. Go ahead. Mrs. ROBESON. I feel that the future of not only my children but America are at stake in this hearing room and I want to say why I feel that way. I want my children to live proudly with their own religious beliefs, with no inquiry by any one of you gentlemen as to what they are. And I want my children to read all kinds of books and to sing all kinds of songs and not just the ones that you may think fit for them to read. Mr. SCHERER. Pardon me. You understand the Communist Party wouldn't permit those things, don't you? Mrs. ROBESON. May I go on, please? I tried to teach my children not to be rude. I hate for them to see a Congressman rude to us. Mr. WALTER. You would be surprised to know how many mothers you are insulting with such talk. Mr. JACKSON. The witness will proceed, please. (At this point Mrs. Robeson conferred with Mr. Esterman and Mr. Marshall.) Mrs. ROBESON. May I continue, Mr. Tavenner? Mr. TAVENNER. Yes. Mrs. ROBESON. And I would like to say what I want to say really without being interrupted. I think there were people who applauded in the arena when the early Christians Mr. CLARDY. I can't hear you. Your voice is not carrying here at all. Could you speak up a little louder? Mrs. ROBESON. I think there were people Mr. MOULDER. Mr. Chairman, may I make this statement, or object, or point out that the witness' statements are not relevant to the question, nor to reasons for declining to answer, which I understand she stated she declines to answer the statement. Mr. JACKSON. I think that is clearly understood. I think everyone listening to her realizes we haven't had any statements that are responsive to the questions, so far as constitutional privilege is concerned. However, in order that we will not be accused of strangling free speech, I think perhaps we can spend 5 minutes, if you can finish it in 5 minutes. We will appreciate that. |