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

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2108 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE MOVEMENT Mrs. Hoffman. That is correct in that that is how this Structure was passed. As I said at the beginning, this Structure became quite a comphcated production, and each group went about things somewhat in their own way, so that, roughly speaking, it was followed, but it was hardly followed to the letter. Mr. NiTTLE. Does your group, the Great Neck Women Strike for Peace, meet the qualifications set up in that limitation of the structural plan? Mrs. Hoffman. Yes, sir. We would be considered a local group. Mr. NiTTLE. Has the New York headquarters of Women Strike for Peace established in any official way the number of persons, or the limitation on the number of persons, who will constitute a local group entitled to send representatives to the Central Coordinating Committee? Mrs. Hoffman. No, they have not. Excuse me. The local groups do not send representatives to the Central Coordinating Committee. Mr. NiTTLE. They send representatives to the county groups who select the Central Coordinating Committee representatives? Mrs. Hoffman. Now you have it, yes. Mr. NiTTLE. So that the representation of the local group on the county group determines the voting power, doesn't it? Mrs. HoffmAxN. Ostensibly, yes. However, the county meetings have also been—theoretically there should have been two people from each local group. In practice, whoever was interested in coming down came down and voted. At least, that is true in Nassau County. I cannot speak for the others. Mr. NiTTLE. Are you personally acquainted with Mrs. Dagmar Wilson? (Witness conferred with counsel.) Mrs. Hoffman. I believe that this committee is infringing upon my rights under the first amendment and for other reasons in asking me to identify any person with whom I have ever associated. I do not see that this committee is authorized to look into the question of my associates and I cannot see that your question is pertinent. Mr. NiTTLE. Let me put it this way: Did you or any person known to you, and to your knowledge, consult or advise with Mrs. Dagmar Wilson concerning the preparation or adoption of the structural plan for your organization, Women Strike for Peace, Metropolitan New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, as set forth in Posner Exhibit No. 1? Mrs. Hoffman. My previous answer stands, but I would like to add, simply for your clarification, that the Metropolitan area drew up this Structure without any assistance from any other area that I am aware of. Mr. NiTTLE. Did you participate in the preparation of the plan? Mrs. Hoffman. The Structure plan? Mr. NiTTLE. Yes. Mrs. Hoffman. To a very limited extent. Mr. NiTTLE. I believe you stated that you engaged in debates or discussions upon this proposal. Mrs. Hoffman. Yes. As I said, there were many meetings, very lengthy ones, with hassles. One version of the plan was presented and it went back to each group for their corrections and okays, and so forth, and at which time it went back again so that these corrections were incorporated and a final plan emerged. ,
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PEACE MOVEMENT 2109 As I said, many ladies spent endless days and nights on this. Mr. NiTTLE. On an average, how many women met in the discussions on the structural plan to which you are referring? Mrs. Hoffman. As I say, I attended—well, let's see, I remember attending one meeting of about 20 women when they were formulating this at the beginning. Of course, in the local groups where discussion was held, there were many more. Then I must have gone to the Nassau County meetings where this was discussed and I certainly can't remember how many there were. That would be about it. I was not a member of the committee drawing up the Structure plan, I don't think. I know that I did not work on it to the extent that many other women did. Mr. NiTTLE. I repeat the question: Have you discussed the affairs of the New York group of Women Strike for Peace with Mrs. Dagmar Wilson? Mrs. Hoffman. My previous answer to that question stands. I will be glad to reread it, if you wish. Mr. NiTTLE. I ask that there be a direction, Mr. Chairman, that the witness respond to the question. Mr. Doyle. I instruct the witness to answer. Mrs. Hoffman. I believe—no. I stand on my previous answer. Mr. NiTTLE. You did not include in your previous answer any constitutional privileges that would excuse a response to the question. Mrs. Hoffman. In my opinion I did, but I will reread my answer, if you wish. Mr. NiTTLE. Will you simply state the constitutional provision which you invoke? Mrs. Hoffman. I said because of my rights under the first amendment and for other reasons. I believe this committee is infringing upon my rights by asking me to identify any person with whom I have ever associated. I do not see that this committee is authorized to look into the question .of my associates and I cannot see that your question is pertinent. Mr. Tuck. Your reasons for not answering the question are not acceptable to the committee. I suggest, Mr. Chairman, that the witness be ordered and directed to answer the question. Mr. Doyle. I make the same instruction, Mrs. Hoffman. Mrs. Hoffman. I stand on my answer. Mr. NiTTLE. Mrs. Hoffman, it is the committee's information that in the year 1944 you were a member of the Communist Party in the Brooklyn area. Were you, in 1944, a member of the Communist Party? (Witness conferred with counsel.) Mrs. Hoffman. I do not see that the committee has the authority to pose this question. I do not believe that past memberships, especially at the date you mentioned, could possibly be pertinent to anything which this committee is authorized to inquire into. I am working for a climate of peace today and I am doing this under no discipline or direction other than that of my own^ conscience. I have not been— well, that is it, that is my answer. Mr. NiTTLE. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? (Witness conferred with counsel.)
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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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2052 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE PE
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2054 COIMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE P
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2056 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST 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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