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

2176 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE MOVEMENT
you tell US where the office is? Certainly it isn't a hidden office. They
must pay rent if they have an office.
For instance, I was given this morning this press release. This has
Women Strike for Peace, 1822 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington.
The Washington office isn't afraid to give us a press release that was
issued from their official office in Washington. Is there something
crooked or illegal about the New York office?
Mrs. Chesman. Is that a question?
Mr. Doyle. Yes. What are you afraid of to tell us that?
Mrs. Chesman. Again on the ground previously stated I must invoke
my rights under the fifth amendment.
Mr. Doyle. You remember the subject of the inquiry of this hearing.
I just want to read you one sentence to refresh your memory.
This is what I read the other morning and which you said you heard:
The subject of this inquiry is to determine the extent of Communist infiltration
in peace organizations, particularly in the Metropolitan New York area and with
special reference to Women Strike for Peace.
I can tell you frankly that I made up my mind that the Women
Strike for Peace is being infiltrated by Communists very definitel}'.
I am also saying that probably most of the women in Women Strike
for Peace are not Communists and never would be. They are asleep
with their eyes open or they are not concerned. They are putting
in their enthusiasm for peace, which we men all join and back 10,000
percent, any patriotic action for peace, but I want to say again as
far as I am concerned I have come to the conclusion very definitely
that the Women Strike for Peace is being infiltrated by known
Communists, and I think you know it.
Mr. Bruce. Mrs. Chesman, have you ever received financial support
from the Communist Party in order to promote Women Strike
for Peace?
Mrs. Chesman. I question the authority of the committee to require
me to answer. I do not understand its pertinency and I invoke
my constitutional privileges under the fifth amendment.
Mr. Doyle. Any other questions. Counsel?
Mr. NiTTLE. No, sir.
Mr. Doyle. Any questions, Mr. Bruce?
Mr. Bruce. No.
Mr. Doyle. Thank you, Witness and Counsel.
(Whereupon at 4:35 p.m., Wednesday, December 12, 1962, the
executive session adjourned, subject to call.)