MR. LAWSON I am glad you have made it perfectly clear that you are going to threaten and intimidate the witnesses, Mr. Chairman. (The chairman pounding gavel.)

MR. LAWSON I am an American and I am not at all easy to intimidate, and don’t think I am. (The chairman pounding gavel.)

MR. STRIPLING Mr. Lawson, I repeat the question. Have you ever held any position in the Screen Writers Guild?

MR. LAWSON I have stated that the question is illegal. But it is a matter of public record that I have held many offices in the Screen Writers Guild. I was its first president, in 1933, and I have held office on the board of directors of the Screen Writers Guild at other times. . . .

MR. STRIPLING Mr. Lawson, are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party of the United States?

MR. LAWSON In framing my answer to that question I must emphasize the points 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 American citizens in all fields.

MR. McDOWELL Now, I must object—

MR. STRIPLING Mr. Chairman—(The chairman pounding gavel.)

MR. LAWSON 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—(The chairman pounding gavel.)

MR. LAWSON (continuing) Which has been historically denied to any committee of this sort, to invade the rights and privileges and immunity of American citizens, whether they be Protestant, Methodist, Jewish, or Catholic, whether they be Republicans or Democrats or anything else.

THE CHAIRMAN (pounding gavel) Mr. Lawson, just quiet down again. Mr. Lawson, the most pertinent question that we can ask is whether or not you have ever been a member of the Communist Party. Now, do you care to answer that question?

MR. LAWSON You are using the old technique, which was used in Hitler Germany in order to create a scare here—

THE CHAIRMAN (pounding gavel) Oh—

MR. LAWSON In order to create an entirely false atmosphere in which this hearing is conducted—(The chairman pounding gavel.)

MR. LAWSON In order that you can then smear the motion-picture industry, and you can proceed to the press, to any form of communication in this country.

THE CHAIRMAN You have learned—

MR. LAWSON The Bill of Rights was established precisely to prevent the operation of any committee which could invade the basic rights of Americans. . . .

THE CHAIRMAN (pounding gavel) We are going to get the answer to that question if we have to stay here for a week. Are you a member of the Communist Party, or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?

MR. LAWSON It is unfortunate and tragic that I have to teach this committee the basic principles of American—

THE CHAIRMAN (pounding gavel) That is not the question. That is not the question. The question is: Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?

MR. LAWSON I am framing my answer in the only way in which any American citizen can frame his answer to a question which absolutely invades his rights.

THE CHAIRMAN Then you refuse to answer that question; is that correct?

MR. LAWSON I have told you that I will offer my beliefs, affiliations, and everything else to the American public, and they will know where I stand.

THE CHAIRMAN (pounding gavel) Excuse the witness—

MR. LAWSON As they do from what I have written.

THE CHAIRMAN (pounding gavel) Stand away from the stand—

MR. LAWSON I have written Americanism for many years, and I shall continue to fight for the Bill of Rights, which you are trying to destroy.

THE CHAIRMAN Officers, take this man away from the stand—(Applause and boos.)

THE CHAIRMAN (pounding gavel) There will be no demonstrations. No demonstrations, for or against. Everyone will please be seated.

Source: House Un-American Activities Committee, Hearings Regarding the Communist Infiltration of the Motion Picture Industry, 80th Cong., 1st sess. (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947), 292–95.