[Investigation of Communist Activities in the Columbus, Ohio, Area]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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Given  By 
Coir^fiittee  ot  Un-Aiaerican  Activities 


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INVESTIGATION  OF  COMMUNIST  ACTIVITIES  IN  THE 

COLUMBUS,  OHIO,  AREA 


V 


^  HEARINGS 


BEFORE  THE 


COMMITTEE  ON  UN-AMERICAN  ACTIVITIES 
HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 


EIGHTY-THIRD  CONGRESS 

FIRST  SESSION 


JUNE  17  AND  18,  1953 


Printed  for  the  use  of  the  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities 
INCLUDING  INDEX 


UNITED  STATES 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING   OFFICE  1'' 

35663  WASHINGTON  :  1953  j  ^ 


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COMMITTEE  ON  UN-AMERICAN  ACTIVITIES 
United  States  House  of  Repeesentatives 

HAROLD  H.  VBLDE,  Illinois,  Chairman 
^RD  W.  KEARNEY,  New  York  FRANCIS  E.  WALTER,  Pennsylvania^ 

:^D  L.  JACKSON,  California  MORGAN  M.  MOULDER,  Missouri 

jARDY,  Michigan  CLYDE  DOYLE,  California 

>N  H.  SCHERER,  Ohio  JAMES  B.  FRAZIER,  JR.,  Tennessee 

Robert  L.  Kunzig,  Counsel 

Frank  S.  Tavenner,  Jr.,  Counsel 

LOUIS  J.  Russell,  ChieJ  Investigator 

Thomas  W.  Beale,  Sr.,  Chief  Cleric 

Raphael  I.  Nixon,  Director  of  Research 

I 


;^' 


CONTENTS 


June  17,  1953,  testimony  of —  Page 

Bella  V.  Dodd 1741 

Nerval  Neil  Luxon 1777 

Barbara  Ann  Darling 1783 

Byron  Thorwell  Darling 1795 

June  18,  1953,  testimon.y  of — 

Byron  Thorwell  Darling  (resumed) 1799 

Flora  Webster 1823 

Bereniece  ("Toby")  Baldwin 1829 

Appendix 1837 

Index 1839 

III 


PUBLIC  LAW  601,  79TH  CONGRESS 

The  legislation  under  which  the  House  Committee  on  Un-American 
Activities  operates  is  Public  Law  601,  79th  Congress  [1946],  chapter 
753, 2d  session,  which  provides : 

Be  it  enacted  bij  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States 
of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  *  *  * 

PART  2— RULES  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 

Rtile  X 

SEC.    121.     STANDING   COMMITTEES 
******* 

17.  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities,  to  consist  of  nine  members. 

RuxE  XI 

POWEES  AND  DUTIES  OP  COMMITTEES 


(q)    (1)  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities. 

(A)  Un-American  activities. 

(2)  Tlie  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities,  as  a  whole  or  by  subcommit- 
tee, is  authorized  to  make  from  time  to  time  investigations  of  (i)  the  extent, 
character,  and  objects  of  un-American  propaganda  activities  in  the  United  States, 
(ii)  the  diffusion  within  the  United  States  of  subversive  and  un-American  propa- 
ganda that  is  instigated  from  foreign  countries  or  of  a  domestic  origin  and 
attaclis  the  principle  of  the  form  of  government  as  guaranteed  by  our  Constitu- 
tion, and  (iii)  all  other  questions  in  relation  thereto  that  would  aid  Congress 
in  any  necessary  remedial  legislation. 

The  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities  shall  report  to  the  House  (or  to  the 
Clerk  of  the  House  if  the  House  is  not  in  session)  the  results  of  any  such  investi- 
gation, together  with  such  recommendations  as  it  deems  advisable. 

For  the  purpose  of  any  such  investigation,  the  Committee  on  Un-American 
Activities,  or  any  subcommittee  thereof,  is  authorized  to  sit  and  act  at  such 
times  and  places  within  the  United  States,  whether  or  not  the  House  is  sitting, 
has  recessed,  or  has  adjourned,  to  hold  such  hearings,  to  require  the  attendance 
of  such  witnesses  and  the  production  of  such  books,  papers,  and  documents,  and 
to  take  such  testimony,  as  it  deems  necessary.  Subpenas  may  be  issued  under 
the  signature  of  the  ctiairman  of  the  committee  or  any  subcommittee,  or  by  any 
member  designated  by  any  such  chairman,  and  may  be  served  by  any  person 
designated  by  any  such  chairman  or  member. 


RULES  ADOPTED  BY  THE  83d  CONGRESS 

House  Resolution  5,  January  3,  1953 
M  *  *  *  if  *  * 

Rule  X 

STANDING    COMMITTEES 

1.  There  shall  be  elected  by  the  House,  at  the  commencement  of  each  Con- 
gress, following  standing  committees : 

*  *  *  *  *  «  * 

(q)  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities,  to  consist  of  nine  members. 
******* 

Rule  XI 

POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  COMMITTEES 


17.  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities. 

(a)  Un-American  Activities. 

(b)  The  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities,  as  a  whole  or  by  subcommittee, 
is  authorized  to  make  from  time  to  time,  investigations  of  (1)  the  extent,  char- 
acter, and  objects  of  un-American  propaganda  activities  in  the  United  States, 
<2)  the  diffiusion  within  the  United  States  of  subversive  and  un-American  propa- 
ganda that  is  instigated  from  foreign  countries  or  of  a  domestic  origin  and 
attacks  the  principle  of  the  form  of  government  as  guaranteed  by  our  Constitu- 
tion, and  (3)  all  other  questions  in  relation  thereto  that  would  aid  Congress  in 
any  necessary  remedial  legislation. 

The  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities  shall  report  to  the  House  (or  to  the 
Clerk  of  the  House  if  the  House  is  not  in  session)  the  results  of  any  such  investi- 
gation, together  with  such  recommendations  as  it  deems  advisable. 

For  the  purpose  of  any  such  investigation,  the  Committee  on  Un-American 
Activities,  or  any  subcommittee  thereof,  is  authorized  to  sit  and  act  at  such  times 
and  places  within  the  United  States,  whether  or  not  the  House  is  sitting,  has 
recessed,  or  has  adjourned,  to  hold  such  hearings,  to  require  the  attendance 
of  such  witnesses  and  the  production  of  such  books,  papers,  and  documents,  and 
to  take  such  testimony,  as  it  deems  necessary.  Subpenas  may  be  issued  xmder 
the  signature  of  the  chairman  of  the  committee  or  any  subcommittee,  or  by  any 
member  designated  by  such  chairman,  and  may  be  served  by  any  person  desig- 
nated by  any  such  chairman  or  member. 

VI 


INVESTIGATION  OF  COMMUNIST  ACTIVITIES  IN  THE 
COLUMBUS,  OHIO,  AREA 


wednesday,  june  17,  1953 

United  States  House  of  Representatives, 
Subcommittee  of  the  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities, 

Colwmbus^  Ohio. 
PUBLIC  hearing 

The  subcommittee  of  the  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities  met, 
pursuant  to  call,  at  10 :  15  a.  m.,  in  hearing  room  2,  State  Office  Build- 
ing, Columbus,  Ohio;  Hon.  Gordon  H.  Scherer  (acting  chairman) 
presiding. 

Committee  members  present :  Representatives  Gordon  H.  Scherer, 
Kit  Clardy,  and  Francis  E.  Walter. 

Staff  members  present:  Robert  L.  Kunzig,  counsel;  Donald  T. 
Appell,  investigator;  and  Thomas  W.  Beale,  Sr.,  chief  clerk. 

Sergeant  at  arms :  Claude  Woodward. 

Present  as  invited  guest-observers:  Hon.  Samuel  Devine,  member 
of  the  Ohio  Legislature  and  chairman  of  the  Ohio  Commission  on 
Un-American  Activities;  and  Sidney  Isaacs,  counsel  for  the  Ohio 
Commission  on  Un-American  Activities. 

Mr.  Scherer.  The  committee  will  be  in  session. 

Let  the  record  show  that  the  Honorable  Harold  H.  Velde,  chairman 
of  the  House  Committee  on  Un-American  Activities  of  the  United 
States  Congress  has  appointed  the  Honorable  Kit  Clardy  of  Michigan, 
the  Honorable  Francis  E.  Walter  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Gordon 
Scherer  of  Ohio  as  a  subcommittee  to  conduct  these  hearings  in  Co- 
lumbus, Ohio,  on  June  17,  1953. 

Let  the  record  show  that  all  members  of  that  subcommittee  are 
present. 

In  the  future  when  the  word  "committee"  is  used,  it  shall  refer  to 
this  subcommittee  as  far  as  the  record  is  concerned. 

Also  present  are  Mr.  Robert  L.  Kunzig,  counsel  for  the  committee, 
Mr.  Donald  T.  Appell,  investigator,  and  Mr.  Thomas  W.  Beale,  Sr., 
the  chief  clerk  of  the  committee. 

At  this  time,  the  chairman  appoints  Mr.  Claude  Woodward  as 
sergeant  at  arms  for  these  hearings  and  the  sergeant  at  arms  shall 
have  the  right  to  appoint  such  assistant  sergeants  at  arms  as  he  may 
deem  necessary. 

The  record  will  also  show  that  the  committee  has  invited  as  guest- 
observer  at  this  hearing,  the  Honorable  Samuel  Devine,  member  of 
the  Ohio  Legislature  and  chairman  of  the  Ohio  Commission  on  Un- 
American  Activities,  and  the  counsel  of  that  committee  and  director 
of  that  committee,  Mr.  Sidney  Isaacs. 

1739 


1740    COMMUNIST  ACTIVITIES  IN  THE   COLUMBUS,   OHIO,  AREA 

At  the  opening  of  these  hearings  of  the  House  Committee  on  Un- 
American  Activities  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  it  seems 
proper  and  it  might  be  helpful  if  the  purpose  and  activity  of  the 
committee  is  restated. 

The  committee  is  charged  by  law  with  investigating  the  extent, 
character  and  object  of  un-American  activities  in  the  United  States. 

It  is  charged  with  investigating  the  diffusion  in  the  United  States 
of  subversive  and  un-American  propaganda  that  is  instigated  from 
foreign  countries  or  is  of  a  domestic  origin,  and  attacks  the  principle 
and  form  of  government  as  guaranteed  by  our  Constitution. 

The  reason  such  duties  are  placed  upon  the  committee  is  to  aid  the 
Congress  in  determining  whether  or  not  remedial  legislation  is  neces- 
sary with  respect  to  these  activities  and  to  help  enlighten  the  Ameri- 
can people  with  reference  thereto. 

Since  our  country  is  presently  engaged  in  both  a  hot  and  cold  war 
with  Communist  dominated  countries,  this  committee  of  the  83rd 
Congress  is  primarily  devoting  its  attention  and  work  to  investigat- 
ing and  revealing  the  Communist  conspiracy  in  this  country.  It  has 
been  fully  established  in  testimony  before  congressional  committees 
and  before  the  highest  courts  of  our  land  that  the  Communist  Party 
of  the  United  States  is  part  of  national  conspiracy  which  is  being 
used  as  a  tool  or  weapon  by  a  foreign  power  to  promote  its  own  for- 
eign policy  and  which  has  for  its  object  the  overthrow  of  the  govern- 
ments of  all  non-Communist  countries,  resorting  to  the  use  of  force 
and  violence  if  necessary. 

The  program  for  world  domination  has  been  clearly  set  forth  by 
the  leaders  of  the  Kremlin  conspiracy.  All  who  read  may  know  the 
means  and  methods  by  which  this  objective  of  world  domination  is 
contemplated  to  be  brought  about. 

The  official  publications  of  the  Communist  conspiracy  tell  in  minute 
detail  of  a  new  method  of  conquest,  a  new  method  of  warfare,  never 
attempted  by  those  men  or  nations  that  sought  world  domination. 

The  Communist  conspiracy  provides  for  the  infiltration  of  every 
phase  and  field  of  American  life.  Communist  objectives  are  to  create 
strife  between  labor  and  management  and  within  the  labor  group  it- 
self, to  cause  people  to  be  suspicious  and  distrustful  of  the  Govern- 
ment and  the  law  enforcement  agencies  thereof,  to  make  them  dis- 
satisfied with  the  American  way  of  life,  particularly  its  economic  sys- 
tem, to  create  doubts  concerning  their  religious  teachings,  to  set  class 
against  class,  minorities  against  majorities,  and  even  minorities 
against  minorities  when  it  suits  their  purpose. 

It  is  a  process  of  attempting  to  soften  and  weaken  the  American 
people  and  its  institutions  so  that  when  the  time  comes  to  move  in, 
the  task  will  be  so  much  easier  to  accomplish.  This  is  not  theory.  The 
Soviet  Union  has  brought  behind  the  Iron  Curtain  600  million  people 
since  1933  by  the  use  of  these  methods.  Of  course,  such  a  conspiracy 
can  act  only  through  individuals.  These  individuals  must  promote 
the  Communist  program  in  the  various  American  institutions  with 
which  they  are  identified  since  they  cannot  act  in  a  vacuum.  We  find 
them  active  in  the  labor  movement,  in  industry,  in  Government,  in 
our  educational  institutions,  in  the  entertainment  field,  and  I  am  sorry 
to  say,  in  some  instances  in  the  field  of  religion. 

The  committee  is  not  investigating  these  institutions.  As  an  ex- 
ample, this  committee  as  such  has  no  interest  in  the  labor  movement 


COMMUNIST  ACTIVITIES  IN  THE  COLUMBUS,   OHIO,  AREA    1741 

or  in  labor's  problems  with  management,  or  in  labor's  own  inner  con- 
flicts. It  has  no  interest  as  such  in  the  personnel  that  teach  in  our 
schools  or  colleges,  nor  in  the  curriculum  or  type  of  textbooks  used 
therein.  .  These  are  matters  that  lie  solely  within  the  province  of 
the  administrators  of  our  educational  institutions. 

We  are  engaged,  however,  in  throwing  light  upon  the  nefarious  and 
subtle  activities  of  those  individuals  who  are  promoting  the  Com- 
munist conspiracy  so  that  the  average  American  may  know  them  and 
recognize  the  activities  and  propaganda  of  a  foreign  power  when  he 
comes  in  contact  with  it,  either  in  the  shop,  in  school,  in  church,  or  in 
any  other  phase  of  everyday  life. 

Now,  some  persons  say  that  the  Communist  menace  is  being  exag- 
gerated. However,  within  the  last  60  days,  J.  Edgar  Hoover,  head  of 
the  Federal  Bureau  of  Investigation,  testified  under  oath  before  the 
Appropriations  Committee  of  the  Congress.  He  said  the  Communists 
today  are  infiltrating  every  field  of  American  activity,  namely,  civil 
rights,  youth  and  veterans'  groups,  press,  radio,  television,  motion  pic- 
ture, political  organizations,  schools,  and  colleges. 

He  further  testified  that  espionage  rings  are  working  more  intensely 
than  ever  before  in  the  history  of  the  United  States.  Remember  this 
is  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Hoover  within  the  last  60  days. 

There  ai^e  those  who  argue  that  communism  is  only  a  political  belief 
or  a  philosophy.  It  certainly  is  not  a  political  party  as  we  know 
political  parties  in  this  country.     That  is  a  misnomer. 

It  is  a  conspiracy  dominated  by  a  foreign  power.  True  it  is  that 
the  philosophy  of  communism  appears  to  be  an  attractive  philosophy. 
Christianity  teaches  the  brotherhood  of  man  and  the  fatherhood  of 
God.  Communism  purports  to  teach  the  brotherhood  of  man  without 
God.  However,  the  ideological  phase  of  communism  is  used  only  to 
ensnare  the  masses.  Behind  it  lies  the  age-old  lust  for  power  and 
domination  by  evil  men. 

Mr.  Counsel,  is  your  first  witness  ready  ? 

Mr.  KuNziG.  The  first  witness  is  Dr.  Bella  Dodd.  Please  step 
forward.  Dr.  Dodd. 

Mr.  ScHERER.  Will  you  raise  your  right  hand.  Doctor  ? 

Do  you  solemnly  swear  that  the  testimony  you  shall  give  to  this  sub- 
committee shall  be  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth,  so  help  you  God  ? 

Dr.  Dodd.  I  do. 

Mr.  KuNziG.  Dr.  Dodd,  are  you  accompanied  by  an  attorney? 

TESTIMONY  OF  BELLA  V.  DODD 

Dr.  Dodd.  I  am  not. 

Mr.  KuNZTG.  You  understand,  of  course,  your  rights  to  have  an  at- 
torney here  ?  The  committee  encourages  anyone  to  have  an  attorney 
with  them  if  they  so  wish.     I  take  it  that  you 

Dr.  Dodd.  My  attorney  was  unable  to  be  here  today  and  I  decided  to 
come  alone. 

Mr.  KuNziG.  You  are  perfectly  willing  to  testify  without  an  at- 
torney ? 

Dr.  Dodd.  Yes. 

Mr.  KuNziG.  Will  you  give  your  full  name  please,  for  the  record? 

Dr.  Dodd.  Bella  V.  Dodd. 


1742     COMMUNIST  ACTIVITIES  IN  THE   COLUMBUS,    OHIO,   AREA 

Mr.  KuNZiG.  What  is  voiir  present  address  ? 

Dr.  DoDD.  100  West  42d  Street,  New  York  City. 

Mr.  KuNziG.  Your  profession  ? 

Dr.  DoDD.  Attorne3\ 

Mr.  KuNziG.  Would  you