PUBLIC LAW 601, 79TH CONGRESS e legislation under which the House Committee on Un-American ities operates is Public Law 601, 79th Congress [1946], chapter d session, which provides: enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States rica in Congress assembled, PART 2-RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RULE X SEC. 121. STANDING COMMITTEES mmittee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine members. RULE XI POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE Committee on Un-American Activities. -American activities. e Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommittee, zed to make from time to time investigations of (i) the extent characojects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States, (ii) usion within the United States of subversive and un-American propat is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and e principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constituiii) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congress in ary remedial legislation. mittee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the e House if the House is not in session) the results of any such investiether with such recommendations as it deems advisable. purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-American or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such laces within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting, 1, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance esses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued under e of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by any ignated by any such chairman, and may be served by any person y any such chairman or member. RULES ADOPTED BY THE 84TH CONGRESS House Resolution 5, January 5, 1955 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 (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 prop aganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitu tion, 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 such chairman, and may be served by any person desig'nated by any such chairman or member. INVESTIGATION OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES, TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1955 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES, Washington, D. C. PUBLIC HEARING bcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities met, nt to notice, at 10:30 a. m. in the caucus room, Old House Building, Hon. Edwin E. Willis, presiding. mittee members present: Representatives Edwin E. Willis ing), and Gordon H. Scherer. members present: Frank S. Tavenner, counsel, and George C. as, investigator. VILLIS. The subcommittee will come to order. he record show that Hon. Francis E. Walter, chairman of mittee on Un-American Activities of the House of Reprees, pursuant to the provisions of law establishing the comas duly appointed a subcommittee, consisting of Mr. Morgan lder, of Missouri as chairman, Mr. Gordon H. Scherer, of gether with myself, Edwin E. Willis of Louisiana, for the of this hearing. oulder is temporarily delayed but will soon be presiding. the rules of the committee, two being present, a quorum is ed. mmittee will hear today Mrs. Mildred Blauvelt, detective of York City Police Department, who was an undercover opor the New York Police Department from April 1943 until r 1951, during which time she was assigned to several differnunist Party groups within the New York area. rpose of the hearing is to ascertain what knowledge she has ent, character, and observation of Communist Party activithe areas to which she was assigned. ready to proceed, Mr. Tavenner? ENNER. Yes, sir. Mrs. Mildred Blauvelt? AUVELT. I am, sir. ENNER. Will you rise and be sworn, please. LIS. Do you solemnly swear the evidence you are about to e the committee will be the truth, the whole truth and t the truth, so help you God? UVELT. I do. TESTIMONY OF MRS. MILDRED BLAUVELT Mr. TAVENNER. Where were you born? Mrs. BLAUVELT. In New York City. Mr. TAVENNER. It is noted that you are not accompanied by counsel. Mrs. BLAUVELT. That is correct. Mr. TAVENNER. It is the practice of the committee to advise a witness that they are entitled to counsel and may consult counsel at any time they desire. What is your occupation, Mrs. Blauvelt? Mrs. BLAUVELT. I am a detective with the New York City Police Department. Mr. TAVENNER. How long have you been engaged as a detective with the Police Department of the city of New York? Mrs. BLAUVELT. I was appointed to the New York City Police Department December 7, 1942. Mr. TAVENNER. Are you still so employed? Mrs. BLAUVELT. Yes, I am. Mr. TAVENNER. Will you tell the committee, please, what your formal educational training was prior to acceptance of your position with the police department? Mrs. BLAUVELT. I was a graduate of one of the New York City high schools and I attended Pace Institute, now called Pace College. Mr. TAVENNER. Have you held any positions of employment other than that of detective for the Police Department of the City of New York? Mrs. BLAUVELT. Prior to my appointment to the New York City Police Department I was employed by several companies in the capac ity of stenographer or secretary. Mr. TAVENNER. Will you tell the committee, please, the general nature of your preparation for the assignment about which I am going to ask you; the special assignment within the Communist Party? Mrs. BLAUVELT. When I was appointed to the New York City Police Department I first had to attend the police academy for training for a period of 2 or 3 months. Following that period of training, I was then assigned by the New York City Police Department to become an undercover operative in the Communist Party. I did gain entry into the party in April of 1943 and I remained in the Communist Party until November of 1951, when I was expelled. That period in between of course covers approximately 9 years. Mr. TAVENNER. Over this period of approximately 9 years were you required to serve in different clubs of the Communist Party or was this entire period of time spent in one group or club of the Communist Party? Mrs. BLAUVELT. No, when I first gained entrance into the Communist Party in April 1943, I was in the 9th A. D. Club in the upper West Side of Manhattan, and I was in that club about 5 or 6 months. I was expelled from it formally in September 1943. Mr. TAVENNER. I will ask you about the circumstances of that expulsion a little later. |