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. * * * 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 activties. (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 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 any such chairman, and may be served by any person designated by any such chairman or member. 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 SAN FRANCISCO AREA-PART 3 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1953 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES, San Francisco, Calif. PUBLIC HEARING The Subcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities met, pursuant to adjournment, at 9:35 a. m., in the hearing room of the board of supervisors, city hall, Hon. Harold H. Velde (chairman) presiding. Committee members present: Representatives Harold H. Velde (chairman), Donald L. Jackson, Gordon H. Scherer, Morgan M. Moulder, and Clyde Doyle. Staff members present: Robert L. Kunzig and Frank S. Tavenner, Jr., counsel; William A. Wheeler and W. Jackson Jones, investigators; and Juliette P. Joray, acting clerk. Mr. VELDE. The committee will be in order. Before commencing today's hearings, the Chair wishes to make a brief, and we trust a clear, statement relative to demonstrations of approval or disapproval on the part of the audience. The House Committee on Un-American Activities has a charge and obligation imposed upon it by the Congress of the United States to conduct these and other hearings. This charge the committee has not failed to fulfill in the past in spite of attacks verging upon violence on occasion. It does not intend to be swerved from its duty by organized efforts to disrupt the hearings or by demonstrations of any kind. The audience in the hearing room is not a captive audience in any sense, and those who desire to leave are free to do so at any time. Any demonstration of approval or disapproval on the part of the audience will result in an order by the Chair for the immediate clearing of the hearing room. It is hoped that this action will not be necessary, but the Chair will not hesitate to take whatever action is required to insure that the business of the United States Congress is conducted with dignity and expedition. Mr. Counsel, will you call your witness? Mr. TAVENNER. Yes, sir. The first witness this morning is Mr. Charles David Blodgett. Mr. Blodgett, will you come forward, please? Mr. VELDE. In the testimony you are about to give before this subcommittee do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Mr. BLODGETT. I will. |