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

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2172 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE MOVEMENT understand that—but I do know that when you signed that petition you knew it was a Communist petition, because it sajs so, and for years you should have known that it is a dangerous conspiracy. This committee is trying to protect our Nation against it. I don't understand why you women in this movement who signed that sort of a petition will not help us understand it. You have pleaded your privilege. Mrs. Chesman. I think I want to make it clear that when you started discussing this petition I invoked my right under the fifth amendment not to discuss the question. Mr. Doyle. That is right. You will note I didn't raise this discussion until after you had pleaded your constitutional rights and I am not trj^ing to get you to waive them either. Let me make that clear. Mrs. Chesman. I simply wanted to make the thing quite clear. Mr. NiTTLE. Mrs. Chesman, in 1951 a nominating petition was circulated on behalf of a Communist Party functionary named Clifford T. McAvoy, who was seeking the office of President of the Council of the city of New York as the candidate of the American Labor Party. The oflBcial records indicate that a Miriam Chesman of 985 Waring Avenue, Bronx, N.Y., was a signer of his nominating petition. I hand you a photostatic copy of that petition marked for identification as Chesman Exhibit No. 3. Does jout signature appear thereon as a signer of that petition? Mrs. Chesman. I question the authority of the committee to require me to answer. I again must invoke my protection under the fifth amendment. (Document marked "Chesman Exhibit No. 3" and retained in committee files.) Mr. NiTTLE. Did you know Clifford T. McAvoy to be a member of the Communist Party at that time? Mrs. Chesman. I will try not to be so wordy. I stand on the fifth. Mr. NiTTLE. Mr. Chairman, I state for the record that the New York City section of the American Labor Party was cited by the Special Committee on Un-American Activities on March 29, 1944, and by the Internal Security Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 23, 1956, as a subversive organization. The latter committee reported as follows Communist dissimulation extends into the field of political parties forming political front organizations such as the * * * American Labor Party. The Communists are thus enabled to present their candidates for elective office under other than a straight Communist label. Now, Mrs. Chesman, I would direct the question to you as to whether or not you were a member of the Communist Party in the year 1951 at the time of the execution of Clifford T. McAvoy's petition. Mrs. Chesman. I stand on my rights under the fifth amendment. Mr. NiTTLE. The official records further indicate that a Miriam Chesman of 985 Waring Avenue, Bronx, N.Y., was, in September 1954, the signer of a nommating petition for Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, who was then a candidate on the Peoples Rights Party, independent ticket, for Representative in Congress from the 24th Congressional District, Bronx, N.Y. :
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE MOVEMENT 2173 I hand you a photostatic copy of that petition marked for identification as Chesman Exhibit No. 4. Are you the Miriam Chesman who appears to have signed such a petition? Mrs. Chesman. I am sorry, but I must again invoke my rights under the fifth amendment. (Document marked "Chesman Exhibit No. 4" and retained in committee files.) Mr. NiTTLE. Did you then know Elizabeth Gurley Flynn to be a leading Communist Party functionary? Mrs. Chesman. I must again invoke my rights under the fifth amendment. Mr. NiTTLE. Were you a member of the Communist Party during the year 1954? Mrs. Chesman. Fifth amendment. Air. NiTTLE. Mrs. Chesman, did you at any time serve as a subscription clerk or staff member for the American Council of the Institute of Pacific Relations? (Witness conferred with counsel.) Mrs. Chesman. I am sorry, but I must stand on my prior statement—that I must invoke the protection of the fifth amendment. Mr. NiTTLE. Mr. Chairman, I think the record should reflect Mrs. Chesman. Just a minute. (Witness conferred with counsel.) Mrs. Chesman. Well, I w^as just trying to save time. Of course I hope you understand that when I say fifth amendment I am repeating that I question the authority of the committee to require me to answer, that I do not think this question pertinent to the investigation, and therefore I invoke my constitutional right under the fifth amendment. Mr. Bruce. Mr. Chairman, I challenge the use of the fifth amendment the way it was stated. She stated first of all her challenge of the jurisdiction of the committee and then followed it with "therefore." Do you mean that you are invoking the fifth amendment because you question the jurisdiction of the committee, or because of the selfincrimination clause? Mrs. Chesman. I also invoke my constitutional rights. You know, I haven't much experience at this sort of thing and you will have to be patient with me. Mr. Bruce. We will. Air. Doyle. Alanifestly, Air. Bruce is correct in his interpretation, in raising that statement to find out from you what you really were relying on, Mrs. Chesma-N. On both. Mr. NiTTLE. Mr. Chairman, I think the record should reflect that the Institute of Pacific Relations contained an international secretariat to accomplish its objectives. An American Council of the Institute of Pacific Relations was established together with other institutes in free societies, including Great Britain, France, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Philippine Islands, Pakistan, and other countries. The American Council was in existence as early as 1925. The American Council was thoroughly investigated by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary whose report of July 2, 1952, declared in part that the American Communist Party and Soviet ofl&cials considered that organization "an instrument of Communist policy, propaganda and military intelligence."
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CONTENTS Page Synopsis 2047 Decembe
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RULES ADOPTED BY THE 87TH CONGRESS
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2054 COIMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE P
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