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

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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,
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE MOVEMENT 2103 to go out of her way in every single way to present the program pubHcly. Anything I have done for Women Strike for Peace is pubhc record, and that question can only be done to intimidate my neighbor or my friend who has come along with me. Mr. Doyle. Let's have your answer. Mrs. Meyers. I decline to answer that question, sir. Mr. NiTTLE. The staff has no further questions, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Doyle. Any questions, Governor? Mr. Tuck. I have no questions. Mr. Doyle. And I have no questions. Call the next witness, Mr. Counsel. Mr. NiTTLE. Would Lyla Hoffman please come forward? Mr. Doyle. Will the witness please rise and be sworn? Raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Mrs. Hoffman. I do. TESTIMONY OF LYLA HOFFMAN, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL, TELFORD TAYLOR Mr. NiTTLE. Would you state your full name and residence? Mrs. Hoffman. Lyla Hoffman, 6 Shore Drive, Great Neck, N.Y. Mr. NiTTLE. Were you formerly a resident of 68B 8th Lane, Brooklyn, N.Y.? Mrs. Hoffman. Yes, I was. Mr. Taylor. Mr. Counsel, should I not identify myself for the record? Mr. NiTTLE. Yes, sir. I am sorry I did not note that. Now that the name and the residence of the witness is identified, Mrs. Hoffman, I would like to ask whether you are represented by counsel. Mrs. Hoffman. I am represented by Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor. My name is Telford Taylor, 400 Madison Avenue, New York City. Mr. NiTTLE. What is your marital status, Mrs. Hoffman? Mrs. Hoffman. I am married. Mr. NiTTLE. What is your occupation? Mrs. Hoffman. Housewife. Mr. NiTTLE. Would you relate the extent of your formal education? Mrs. Hoffman. And I am a peace worker, I might add. Mr. NiTTLE. Housewife and peace worker? Mrs. Hoffman. Yes. Mr. NiTTLE. Would you relate the extent of your formal education? Mrs. Hoffman. High school, at Richmond, Manhattan. Mr. NiTTLE. Would you spell your first name, please? Mrs. Hoffman. L-y-l-a. Mr. NiTTLE. I have asked for the correct spelling of your name because of an item that appeared in the official Communist paper The Worker on April 22, 1962, at page 4. This is marked for identification as Hoffman Exhibit No. \. (Document handed to witness.) Mr. NiTTLE. An article appears thereon written under the byhne of Mike Davidow titled, "Women Call 24-Hour White House Vigil to Mark the Shame of T-Day."
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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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Page 22 and 23: 2054 COIMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE P
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ii INDEX G Gage-Colby, Ruth I*aee 2
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iv INDEX Communist Party of the Uni
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: i INDEX Women's InternationalfStr
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,^?,?J°^ PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 9999 057
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