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

2102 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE MOVEMENT
Mrs. Meyers. I don't think, sir, you ask any simple questions at
any tinie. I think there is a real intent in this question.
Mr. Doyle. I instruct you to answer. It is always a pertinent
question in this hearing.
Mrs. Meyers. I don't believe it is a pertinent question, sir, and
I don't believe it is within the jurisdiction.
Mr. Doyle. I instruct you to answer the question.
Mr. BouDiN. Could we have the question repeated so we are perfectly
clear?
Mr. Doyle. I think it is perfectly clear.
Mr. BouDiN. Once a direction is given, it is better to have the
question repeated, I think you will agree.
Mr. NiTTLE. The question addressed to the witness, Mr. Doyle,
and I now address it to the witness, is: Have you ever been a member
of the Communist Party?
Mrs. Meyers. I decline to answer that question. I decline to
answer because it is not pertinent. I am here to answer questions on
Women Strike for Peace, and this question is thrown over as a smoke
screen for this kind of investigation. I stand on my constitutional
privileges of the fifth amendment not to answer that question.
Mr. Doyle. All right.
I want to instruct the witness to answer the question. I call your
attention to the pertinency. I read in my preliminary statement, and
you heard it, the subject of this inquiry—to determine the extent of
Communist infiltration in peace organizations, particularly in the
Metropolitan New York area, with special reference to the Women
Strike for Peace, and, also, to determine the degree to which Communists
have responded to the previously quoted directives tliat they
engage in.
Manifestly, the question of whether or not you have ever been a
Commimist is pertinent.
Mrs. Meyers. I decline to answer that question under my rights
under the first amendment, under my constitutional privilege under
the fifth amendment, because I feel the committee does not have
jurisdiction, Mr. Doyle, and it is not pertinent, even though you
state; this is my feeling.
Mr. Doyle. Proceed, Comisel.
Mr. Nittle. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
Mrs. Meyers. My answer is as previously stated.
Mr, BouDiN. I assume, Mr. Doyle, you don't need the witness to
spell out the reasons again.
Mr. Doyle. No. I instruct you to answer that question, Mrs.
Meyers.
Mrs. Meyers. Shall I spell out all four reasons again, sir?
Mr. Doyle. No, it will be enough if you say, "The same answer,"
but I want to instruct you to answer.
Mrs. Meyers. It is the same answer.
Mr. Nittle. One final question, Mrs. Meyers. Have you engaged
in activities of Women Strike for Peace, and a local group you have
described and identified as Women for Peace, to carry out Communist
directives enjoining peace agitation upon its members?
Mrs. Meyers. Mr. Doyle, I think that question is an insult to an
American citizen who has tried in the best way to fulfill her duty as a
citizen^ to have to use her to inquire further into why situations exist,