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

COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE PEACE MOVEMENT 2091
Mr. NiTTLE. One final question: Do you have knowledge of the
existence of a Communist Party caucus within the New York area
organization of Women Strike for Peace which meets separately to
coordinate policy and the selection of candidates for office within
your organization?
Mrs. PosNER. The same answer, sir, the fifth.
Mr. NiTTLE. Are you a member of that caucus?
Mrs. PosNER. I stand on the fifth amendment.
Mr. NiTTLE. The staff has no further questions, Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Doyle. Have you any questions, Governor Tuck?
Mr. Tuck. Mrs. Posner, the committee has information that you
are chairman pro tem of the Office Committee of Women Strike for
Peace. I woidd ask you to state whether or not that is true.
Mrs. PosNER. I must continue to stand on the fifth, sir.
Mr. Tuck. Are you telling the committee that you honestly apprehend
that if you stated whether or not
Mrs. PosNER. I am sorry, I can't hear you, sir.
Mr. Tuck. I said, do you honestly apprehend that if you stated to
this committee whether or not you are an officer, an important officer,
of Women Strike for Peace that you would subject yourself, or possibly
subject yourself, to criminal prosecution?
(Witness conferred with counsel.)
Mrs. Posner. In view of the chairman's statement at the opening
of this hearing, in his alleging that the Women Strike for Peace is an
infiltrated group, infiltrated by Communists, I have no choice but to
plead the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tuck. You still have not answered my question. You cannot
rely on the fifth amendment unless you apprehend that you may
probably be subjecting yourself to criminal prosecution.
(Witness conferred with counsel.)
Mrs. Posner. That is the only answer I can give.
As I said earlier in my speech, I thank God for the wise men
Mr. Tuck. We are not here to listen
Mrs. Posner. —who gave us a Constitution and a Bill of Rights
that includes the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tuck. We are not here to listen to your discussion. I asked
you a simple question which any patriotic citizen ought to be able to
answer.
I request you, Mr. Chairman, to (disturbance)
Mr. Jack Levine (ia spectator at the hearing). I am a patriotic
American citizen and a former FBI agent. I petition you to discontinue
these proceedings before you heap further disgrace on the Congress
of the United States.
[Capitol Police escort Mr. Levine from the hearing room.]
Mr. Tuck. Mr. Chairman, I request that you order and direct the
witness to answer the question.
Mr. Doyle. Witness, I direct you to answer that question. It
manifestly is pertinent. You have heard Governor Tuck ask it
twice, the same question.
What is your answer? This does not call for a speech by you.
Mrs. Posner. I rely on the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tuck. Then you decline to answer the question?
Mrs. Posner. I rely on the fifth amendment.
Mr. Doyle. I instruct you once again to answer that question.