Communist activities in the peace movement (Women Strike for ...

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2168 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE MOVEMENT Did you participate in the preparation or adoption of that structural plan? Mrs. Chesman. I did not. Mr. NiTTLE. Did you participate in any discussions relating to it? Mrs. Chesman. I did not because—you see, this is where I have to explain. I happen not to be interested in structure and, as a matter of fact, I said to a friend of mine yesterday that I avoided all this because it is just not my interest, and that for the first time I was hearing a real discussion on structure. Mr. NiTTLE. You will note that that plan sets up an organization involving an hierarchy of a local group, county group. Central Coordinating Committee, and the General Assembly. It also establishes a New York office and work committees. When you attended discussions with the Central Coordinating Committee was there a General Assembly established for the organization Women Strike for Peace and set up under that organizational plan? Mrs. Chesman. I have no such recollection. Mr. NiTTLE. Will you tell us of what local group you are a member? Mrs. Chesman. I am a member of an East Bronx group and I am not—look, I want to make it clear. Mr. NiTTLE. What is the title of that group? Mrs. Chesman. The same thing the other women said is what I would like to repeat. I am not a member. I didn't mean to indicate, because you know there is no membership. I am a participant in Women Strike for Peace. Mr. NiTTLE. Well, you compose one of that group, W^omen Strike for Peace, do you not? Mrs. Chesman. I do. Mr. NiTTLE. I believe the technical definition of membership is to that effect—one who composes a group. We won't quibble about words, and therefore I will proceed to ask you what is the full title of your East Bronx group? Mrs. Chesman. It doesn't really have an official title. It is just an East Bronx group, because the lines of the groups aren't that clearly defined. Mr. NiTTLE. A Jean Brancato also serves on the Central Coordinating Committee of Women Strike for Peace, Metropolitan New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut ; does she not? Mrs. Chesman. I would like not to discuss anything in relation to any other personality but myself. Mr. NiTTLE. We aren't discussing personalities. We are discussing activities. Mrs. Chesman. I am sorry, I don't see where a discussion of whom I know has any pertinence to this inquiry. Mr. NiTTLE. We are not simply interested in whether or not you know a Jean Brancato. We are interested in knowing whether you know a Jean Brancato as being active as a representative on the Central Coordinating Committee of Women Strike for Peace. Mrs. Chesman, I would prefer not to discuss any personalities in relation to anything at all. Mr. Bruce. Mr. Chairman, I request that the witness be directed to answer that question. Mr. Doyle. I direct you to answer the question, Witness. (Witness conferred with counsd.)
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE MOVEMENT 2169 Mrs. Chesman. I question the authority of this committee to require me to answer. I don't understand its pertinency to this inquiry and I invoke at this time my privilege under the fifth amendment. Mr. Doyle. Were you present yesterday, Mrs. Chesman, when I read the preliminary statement? Mrs. Chesman. I was present, Mr. Doyle. You heard the statement read? Mrs. Chesman. I did. Mr. Doyle. Thank you. Mr. Bruce. Mr. Chairman, I think it might be well to pursue the point just for a moment. I think we better make it clear that your sentiment regarding your feelings as to the jurisdiction of this committee, or its function, is in no way connected with your pleading the privilege of the fifth amendment. You are pleading the privilege of the fifth amendment on the basis of not being required to incriminate yourself. Am I correct? Mrs. Chesman. I would rather restate that. I am taking the fifth amendment because the fifth amendment protects the innocent against testifying against themselves, and of course I am protesting the authority of this committee on those grounds, to answer the question. Mr. Bruce, This is not why you are not answering the question. It is, rather, the incrimination clause of the fifth amendment? Mrs. Chesman. I would say both. Mr. Doyle. I think I heard you say to protect the innocent. As I understand that amendment, it protects anybody from testifying against oneself. I am not making that observation except that I noticed jou used the word "innocent" there. Mrs. Chesman. This is my primary concern. Mr. Doyle. All right. Do you think that if the relevancy and pertinency of this question was explained to you again, in addition to the reading of the preliminary statement yesterday, you then would answer the question? (Witness conferred with counsel.) Mrs. Chesman. Upon considering your question I still feel that I would like to stand on my protection under the fifth amendment as I previously stated. Mr. Doyle. I thank you. Mr. NiTTLE. Did you participate in the organization of the East Bronx group to which you referred? Mrs. Chesman. In a vague kind of way. You know, I think one of the difficulties here is that it is hard for men to understand that women can work in a very vague and nebulous way, and I think I am sympathetic to you in that. Mr. NiTTLE. Yes. Mrs. Chesman, I hand you a copy of the National Guardian, issue of October 8, 1962, marked for identification as Chesman Exhibit No. 1, and direct your attention to a lead article which appears on page 6 entitled "Pressure on the Candidates Women of Peace movement turning to political action." I quote from the article so that you will follow as I read it. Then I will ask you a question pertaining to this. "In and around New York on Oct. 3, several hundred women were to assemble at shopping centers and on busy street corners" 93367—63 9 —
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COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE M
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CONTENTS Page Synopsis 2047 Decembe
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RULES ADOPTED BY THE 87TH CONGRESS
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2048 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PE
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2050 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE P
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2054 COIMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE P
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2064 COIVIMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE
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2066 COIVIMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE
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2078 COIVIMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE
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2080 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EN THE PE
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2088 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EN THE PE
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