| UNAMERICAN ACTIVITES INQUIRY un-American activities enquiry of Hollywood personalities in Washington. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tape Master: | 7946 | |
| Catalog #: | 199719 | |
| Clip Number: | 199719-3 | |
| Orginal Film: | UN 1835 C | |
| Timecode: | 01:23:19 - 01:28:14 | |
| Location: | Washington DC | |
| Year Shot: | 1947 (Actual Year) | |
| Audio: | Yes | |
| Color: | No | |
| Headings: | GOVERNMENT: Committee, House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC or HCUA) LOCATIONS/NORTH AMERICA: USA, Washington D.C. WAR & CONFLICT/COLD WAR: Red Scare WAR & CONFLICT/COLD WAR: Un-American Activities | |
| Description: | Various shots of Lawson and Thomas indulging in heated cross talk. Thomas frequently uses his hammer to shut Lawson up. John Howard Lawson, “I wish to protest against the unwillingness of this committee to read a statement when you permitted Mr. Ward and Mr. Meyer and others to read statements in this room. My name is John Howard Lawson.” “What is your present address?” John Howard Lawson, 9354 Burnett Avenue, San Fernando, California. “When and where were you born?” John Howard Lawson, “New York City.” “What year?” John Howard Lawson, “1897” “Is that true?” John Howard Lawson, “That is correct. In regards to membership, political beliefs and affiliation, it is absolutely beyond the powers of this committee it’s a matter of public record that I am a member of the Screen Writers Guild. (During this answer Senator Thomas is pounding his gavel and saying Mr. Chairman). John Howard Lawson, “Mr. Chairman, I was here last week in this room to make examples of three or four or five hundred…” Senator Thomas, “Mr. Lawson you will please be responsive to the questions and not continue to try to disrupt these hearings.“ John Howard Lawson, “I’m not on trial her Mr. Chairman. This Committee is on trial here before the American people.” “Mr. Lawson, How long have you been a member of the Screen Writers Guild?” John Howard Lawson: “ Since it was founded in its present form in 1933 (Senator Thomas talking loudly over Mr. Lawson’s voice, plus he is pounding his gavel) Senator Thomas: “You asked to be heard, through your attorney you asked to be heard and we want you to be heard. And if you don’t care to be heard, then we will excuse you and we’ll put the record in without your answers.” John Howard Lawson: “I wish to frame my own answers to your questions and I intend to do so.” Senator Thomas: “You will be responsive to the questions or you will be excused from the witness stand.” John Howard Lawson: “I will frame my own answers, Mr. Chairman.” Senator Thomas: “I repeat the question Mr. Lawson, have you ever…” John Howard Lawson: “… the rights of this committee to inquire into any form of association…” Senator Thomas: “The Chair may determine, the chair may determine what’s in the purview of this committee, not you John Howard Lawson: “I am an American citizen with no less than the responsibilities of this committee of congress. Senator Thomas: “Irresponsive to the questioning just the same as all the other witnesses had. You’re no different.” John Howard Lawson: “You already have made statements which included provisions from books, references to material which have no connection what-so-ever (unintelligible) Senator Thomas: We will determine if it has a connection, now you go head. John Howard Lawson: It is absolutely beyond the power of this committee to inquire the amount (unintelligible, gavel hammering down loudly) Senator Thomas: “You have to stop! Or you will leave the witness stand, and you’ll leave the witness stand because you’re in contempt. That’s why you’ll leave the witness stand. And if you’re just trying to force me to put you in contempt, you won’t have to try much harder. And you know what’s happened to a lot of people that’s been in contempt to this committee this year, don’t you? John Howard Lawson: “I’m glad you made it perfectly clear Mr. Chairman that you’re trying to threaten and intimidate the witnesses. I am an American and I’m not at all that easy to intimidate. (During this Senator Thomas is really pounding down with his gavel) Don’t think I am.” Senator Thomas: “Mr. Lawson… are you a member of the Communist Party of the United States?” John Howard Lawson: “In framing my answer to that question I must emphasize the point that I have raised before, the question of Communism is in no way related to this inquiry which is an attempt to get control of the Screen and to invade the basic rights of Americans in our field. The question here relates not only to the question of my membership in any political organization, but this committee is attempting to establish the right which is decided to be denied to any committee of this court (Senator Thomas hammering hard with the gavel) to ignore the rights and privileges of American citizens whether they be Protestant or Methodist or Jewish or Catholic or they be Republicans or Democrats alike.” Senator Thomas: “Just quiet down again…” John Howard Lawson: “You are using the old technique which was used in Hitler’s Germany in order to create a scare here, in order to create a entirely false atmosphere in which this hearing is conducted, in order that you can than smear the Motion Picture Industry and you can proceed from that to the press to any form of communication in this country (Senator Thomas interjects - You have earned your last unintelligible) These rights were established precisely to prevent the operation of any committee which would invade the basic rights of Americans. Now if you want to know… A Senator: “Mr. Chairman the witness is not answering the question…” John Howard Lawson: “Now if you want to know about the perjury that that’s been committed here, you permit me and my attorneys to bring in…” | |
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