Investigation of Communist Activities in the State of Michigan

Mr. CLARDY. Witness, will you desist. Now I told a few moments ago the possible results of that kind of conduct. You have transgressed

(At this point Mr. Falk conferred with Mr. Bragman.)

Mr. CLARDY. What the committee's rules permit. I warn you now, that if you persist in this course the committee will take whatever drastic action lies within its power to take. Now, refrain from that from here on out.

Mr. FALK. I am declining these questions on my constitutional grounds, as I have stated before. I don't think that if I express my contempt for people that that is grounds for threatening me, and I am sure Mr. Clardy knows as well as I do.

Mr. CLARDY. I am not threatening you. I am merely telling you under the rules of the Congress of the United States and of this committee, you have far exceeded the bounds of decency, and you will be called to account for it if you persist in it.

Mr. TAVENNER. Isn't it a fact that you were a colonizer of the Communist Party sent to the area of Flint or that you volunteered to come to the area of Flint for the purpose of carrying out the objectives of the Communist Party?

Mr. FALK. I have heard of colonizers, white colonizers in Africa who go in to take over the native populations, make them work for slave wages.

Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. Chairman, the answer is not in response to my question at all.

Mr. FALK. I will

Mr. CLARDY. Witness, suspend for a moment.

You know without the Chair telling you that you are being impertinent deliberately. That, in itself, is contempt. Now, I suggest that you answer the question and refrain from that kind of remark. Now will you direct yourself to the question.

Mr. FALK. I am going to decline to answer such a question on all the grounds that I have stated before for such a question, and I also feel that this committee shouldn't prevent me from expressing my opinion on matters that are raised here. I may be very-you know, feel very contemptuous of the chairman of this committee, and if I say so, I don't think that I am in contempt. That is my opinion; it is my right as an American citizen to have that opinion, and I don't see where it could possibly be called contempt.

Mr. CLARDY. You may hold any opinion of the chairman that you wish, and it is of no concern to me, but the rules of the Congress, rules of this committee, call for an exhibition of proper respect toward your Government. You transgress those rules at your own risk. I have given you fair warning. I shall give you no more.

Proceed, Mr. Tavenner.

Mr. TAVENNER. You engaged, did you not, in a plan of deceit in obtaining employment here so that you could carry out the functions of the Communist Party effectively?

Mr. FALK. That is clearly the same type of question, and I decline for the same reasons.

Mr. TAVENNER. Within 2 or 3 days after your arrival in Flint did you not attend a meeting of the youth section of the Communist Party at a farm near Columbiaville, Mich., which meeting was being conducted by Jack Gore and Jack White?

Mr. FALK. This begins to sound like you are telling me what I am supposed to have done instead of asking me, but it is the

Mr. TAVENNER. Is it true?

Mr. FALK. Same type of question and the exact same answer, I am going to decline as previously.

Mr. TAVENNER. As a result of that meeting you were assigned to work in the Labor Youth League of the Communist Party in this area, were you

not?

Mr. FALK. I am going to decline all such questions. I think I have made that clear. If this committee is really interested in asking me questions, I think that they could proceed in a way that would allow me to answer. If they are interested in giving their view and their opinion, then I will simply decline to answer this question and all similar questions on the grounds that I have already stated.

Mr. VELDE. Mr. Chairman, I think I have already explained to you the obligation imposed upon us by the House of Representatives, which is to investigate un-American activities and un-American propaganda. I assure you, and I am sure that the Chair will agree, that that is our purpose in asking you these questions. Now, you could, if you would-I am sure that you have these facts-be of great service to your Congress, to the American people, if you would tell us some of the facts in connection with your employment here in Flint, Mich., in connection with the Communist Party, its directives and other matters involved in this field of activity. You say we are expressing our opinions. We ask you to express your opinion and give us facts. Mr. CLARDY. Is there a question still pending or has he declined to answer?

Mr. TAVENNER. He declined to answer.

Mr. CLARDY. Ask your next question.

Mr. TAVENNER. Were you connected in an official capacity at any time with the Labor Youth League?

Mr. FALK. I am going to decline that question on the same grounds that I stated and on this additional ground at this time. I was brought up like many other young people in this country and went to school as I explained to this committee, and I was taught something about American democracy. Frankly, I don't like the idea of political peeping Toms. I am not going to become one. I don't think that this committee is really acting in all fairness and in the interests of the American people. In fact, there is a strong indication here that there may be certain political considerations on the part of individual members to publicize their own campaigns. I am not interested in helping these individuals out, and frankly I feel that it is an invasion of everything that is decent in this country to ask me to start to go into this political peeping Tom business here, so I am going to decline.

Mr. CLARDY. The question was, Are you a member of the LYL, with which you are thoroughly familiar? The uncalled for remarks you make have only served to aggravate the conduct that you have engaged in up to now. The Chair will tolerate very little more. Our patience is wearing very thin with you, sir, but I now command you, direct you, to either answer or decline to answer the question pending. (At this point Mr. Falk conferred with Mr. Bragman.)

Mr. FALK. I will decline to answer that question, and I claim the same grounds as I stated at the beginning.

Mr. TAVENNER. Are you now a member of the Communist Party! Mr. FALK. I will decline to answer the $64 question on the same grounds as previously stated.

Mr. CLARDY. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?

Mr. FALK. I will decline to answer that question for the same

reasons.

Mr. TAVENNER. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. CLARDY. Any questions, Mr. Velde?

Mr. VELDE. I have no further questions except to make this remark: The conduct of the witness and his refusal to answer the question pertaining to subversive activities-in which I feel certain he has been engaged-can only lead to the conclusion by me that he has been and possibly presently is engaged in subversive activities in an attempt to destroy this Government of the United States, which I am sure the great majority of the American people hold dear to their hearts.

Mr. CLARDY. I have one final question: Are you now or have you ever been a member of any organization whose avowed purpose is the overthrow of this Government through the use of force and violence and ponder well before you make any answer.

Mr. FALK. I will ask my attorney.

Mr. CLARDY. You may do so.

(At this point Mr. Falk conferred with Mr. Bragman.)

Mr. FALK. On advice I find that that question is materially the same as all of the others that I declined on, and for the same reasons I will decline.

Mr. CLARDY. Witness dismissed. The witnesses who were subpenaed for today and tomorrow will report here at the hearing room at 9:30 a. m. tomorrow morning. The committee will now recess until tomorrow morning.

(Whereupon, at 4:40 p. m., the hearing was recessed until 9:30 a. m. Thursday, May 13, 1954.)