PUBLIC LAW 601, 79TH CONGRESS The legislation under which the House Committee on Un-American Activities operates is Public Law 601, 79th Congress [1946], chapter 753, 2d session, which provides: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * PART 2-RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RULE X SEC. 121. STANDING COMMITTEES 17. Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine members. RULE XI POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES (q) (1) Committee on Un-American Activities. (A) Un-American activities. (2) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommittee, is authorized to make from time to time investigations of (i) the extent, character, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States, (ii) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American propaganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution, and (iii) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congress in any necessary remedial legislation. The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the Clerk of the House if the House is not in session) the results of any such investi- > gation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable. For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-American Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such times and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting, has recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued under the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by any member designated by any such chairman, and may be served by any person designated by any such chairman or member. V RULES ADOPTED BY THE 83D CONGRESS House Resolution 5, January 3, 1953 RULE X STANDING COMMITTEES 1. There shall be elected by the House, at the commencement of each Congress, the following standing committees: (q) Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine members. RULE XI POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES 17. Committee on Un-American Activities. (a) Un-American Activities. (b) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommittee, is authorized to make from time to time, investigations of (1) the extent, character, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States, (2) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American propaganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution, and (3) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congress in any necessary remedial legislation. The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the Clerk of the House if the House is not in session) the results of any such investigation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable. For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-American Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such times and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting, has recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and to take such testimony as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued under the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by any member designated by such chairman, and may be served by any person designated by any such chairman or member. INVESTIGATION OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA-PART 6 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1951 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXECUTIVE SESSION1 Washington, D. C. The Committee on Un-American Activities met in executive session at 4 p. m., in room 226, Old House Office Building, Hon. John S. Wood (chairman) presiding. Committee members present: Representatives John S. Wood (chairman), Francis E. Walter, Clyde Doyle, James B. Frazier, Jr., Harold H. Velde, Bernard W. Kearney, Donald J. Jackson, and Charles E. Potter. Staff members present: Frank S. Tavenner, Jr., counsel; Louis J. Russell, senior investigator; William H. Wheeler, investigator; Thomas W. Beale, Sr., assistant counsel; and A. S. Poore, editor. TESTIMONY OF LARRY PARKS, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS COUNSEL, LOUIS MANDEL Mr. WOOD. Mr. Parks, at the conclusion of the morning session, the committee had a meeting, and it was the unanimous expression of the members of the committee that we were going to seek your further cooperation in an executive session, for further testimony that will not be publicized until such time, if at all, as the committee itself may deem expedient. It may never happen, but it is only fair to say to you that it is in the discretion of the committee at any time to make public any information that you may see fit to give in this executive session. Until such time, if it does happen, it will be kept in the confidential files of the committee. With that statement, counsel will now propound additional questions. Mr. MANDEL. So that Mr. Parks will be fully aware of where he is going, is it the intention of the committee that unless he answers these questions in private, that is, in executive session, they intend to cite him for contempt of this committee? Mr. WOOD. The committee makes no threats. Mr. MANDEL. We haven't approached it as a matter of threat, just to clear his thinking so that he is fully informed in his own mind of the consequences of following that path. 1 This testimony, taken in executive session during the 82d Congress, has been examined and released by the full committee. Mr. WOOD. Counselor, you have asked a question, and I will answer it as frankly as I can. The committee did not discuss that phase of it and hasn't discussed it. It is entirely possible, if Mr. Parks placed himself in the position here of being in contempt of Congress, that the committee may request a citation for that purpose. On the other hand, it may not. I cannot speak for the committee. Does that answer your question? Mr. MANDEL. No, not quite. I would like to spend another minute on it. I realize that, and I also realize the position of the committee not to commit themselves to Mr. Parks, but in view of Mr. Parks general attitude of being cooperative, and everyone easily understands here what is motivating him-he feels so bad about what he has to do, and if he thought in his own judgment there was any chance at all that you would elicit from him information that was important to you, that he would very gladly give it to you voluntarily. It is only sav ing that little bit of something that you live with. You have to see and walk in Hollywood with that. You have to meet your children and your wife with it and your friends. It is that little bit that you want to save. Although I don't want to ask the committee to commit itself, in fairness to Mr. Parks, he may have to sacrifice the arm with gangrene in order to save the body. Even though he doesn't like it, he will walk around the rest of his life without an arm. I realize the purposes of this committee, and our attitude has been one of cooperation. We want to go right through with that. Now, if that is going to be the penalty that he eventually will have to pay, then I have to help him think a different way. I have to urge him a different way. His honest and sincere opinion is that what he is going to give you will only eat up his insides and you will get nothing, no more than you have today. This is a conviction of this man. Mr. WOOD. Mr. Attorney, the committee has to be the judge of what information has pertinency and relevancy. It can't take the opinions of other people. I have tried to be frank about it, and the committee is very anxious-I think you will agree-to be considerate of this man. The committee is in no sense responsible for the position he finds himself in, but we are responsible for the position we find ourselves in. We have a responsibility and duty that is on us as public officials. Mr. MANDEL. I realize that. Mr. WOOD. I will be glad to answer any further inquiries. Mr. MANDEL. I realize that. I was wondering if I could get the opinion of the committee before, because the direction will have to come to him "If you don't answer, then we will cite you for contempt." I think that is part of the law, for the man to know the price. So it would have to come anyhow as a matter of law. I am urging it now so that I can sit down with him. I know how it is biting on the inside. Mr. WOOD. I am not going to put the committee in a position here, and I don't think any of them want to be placed in the position, of making any compromising statements about what they will do here in any given set of circumstances. I think they can cross that when they arrive at that point. Mr. MANDEL. I don't intend to argue with the committee any further. I believe I made my point. Mr. Wood. Proceed, counsel. Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. Parks, are you acquainted with an effort made to raise funds for the New Masses magazine, which was in the form of a party held at the home of Frank Tuttle on June 8, 1945? Mr. PARKS. No, sir; I don't recall any such party at Frank Tuttle's house. I was at his house I believe only once, and as I remember it there were maybe 2 or 3 people, and it was purely a social evening. This is the best of my recollection. I don't believe to the very best of my recollection of having attended such a party. Mr. TAVENNER. I have just learned there are two Frank Tuttles in Hollywood. Are you acquainted with that fact? Mr. PARKS. No. I only know one Frank Tuttle, who is a director in Hollywood. Mr. TAVENNER. He is the one that I had reference to. Mr. PARKS. That is the one that I am acquainted with, was acquainted with. I don't know whether he is out there now at this time. Mr. TAVENNER. Did you attend a Communist Party meeting of a cultural group of the Communist Party at the home of Hugo Butler? Mr. PARKS. I have been to Hugo Butler's house twice, I think. One was on a matter of-I believe I read a script of his. The other time to the best of my recollection was a party given for-as I recall, it was given for the people who had come before your committee in 1947. This is the best of my recollection. I don't recall ever going to a party for-what was it? New Masses? Mr. TAVENNER. No. This party that I am speaking of now did not necessarily have anything to do with New Masses. This is a different meeting that I am referring to now at the home of Hugo Butler. It is alleged to have taken place on January 3, 1945. Mr. PARKS. No, I don't recall going there for a party at that time at all. I am being very honest when I say that. As I say, I know where he lives, and I think I have been there twice. Mr. TAVENNER. Was Hugo Butler a member of the Communist Party, to your knowledge, or from information made available to you? Mr. PARKS. No, sir, I have no knowledge of Hugo Butler at all being a member. Mr. TAVENNER. Did you ever attend a Communist Party meeting at which he was present? Mr. PARKS. Not to my recollection. I never did. Mr. TAVENNER. Was Frank Tuttle a member of the Communist Party, to your knowledge? Mr. PARKS. This, counsel, I do not know. I don't believe I have ever heard that. I don't believe that I have ever to the very best of my knowledge ever attended any meeting of such a nature with Frank Tuttle. Mr. TAVENNER. Who were the members of the cell of the Communist Party to which you were assigned during the period from 1941 on up to the time you disassociated yourself from the party about 1945? Mr. PARKS. This is what I have been talking about. This is the thing that I am no longer fighting for myself, because I tell you frankly that I am probably the most completely ruined man that you have ever seen. I am fighting for a principle, I think, if Americanism is involved in this particular case. This is what I have been talking 31747-53-pt. 6- --2 |