PUBLIC LAW 601, 79TH CONGRESS The legislation under which the House Committee on Un-American Activities operates is Public Law 601, 79th Congress [1946]; 60 Stat. 812, which provides: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * * * 17. Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine Members. (q) (1) Committee on Un-American Activities. (A) Un-American activities. (2) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommittee, 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 propaganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution, 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 investigation, 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 chairman 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. RULE XII LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT BY STANDING COMMITTEES SEC. 136. To assist the Congress in appraising the administration of the laws and in developing such amendments or related legislation as it may deem necessary, each standing committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall exercise continuous watchfulness of the execution by the administrative agencies concerned of any laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of such committee; and, for that purpose, shall study all pertinent reports and data submitted to the Congress by the agencies in the executive branch of the Government. RULES ADOPTED BY THE 86TH CONGRESS House Resolution 7, January 7, 1959 RULE X STANDING COMMITTEES 1. There shall be elected by the House, at the commencement of each Congress, (q) Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine Members. RULE XI POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES 18. 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 diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American propaganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution, 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 investigation, 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 attendanc 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 chairman 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. * 26. To assist the House in appraising the administration of the laws and in developing such amendments or related legislation as it may deem necessary, each standing committee of the House shall exercise continuous watchfulness of the execution by the administrative agencies concerned of any laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of such committee; and, for that purpose, shall study all pertinent reports and data submitted to the House by the agencies in the executive branch of the Government. THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DISTRICT OF THE Structure-Objectives-Leadership SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1960 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES, PUBLIC HEARINGS San Francisco, Calif. The subcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities met, pursuant to recess, at 9:30 a.m., in the Supervisors Chambers, City Hall Building, San Francisco, Calif., Hon. Edwin E. Willis (chairman of the subcommittee), presiding. Subcommittee members present: Representatives Edwin E. Willis, of Louisiana; August E. Johansen, of Michigan; and Gordon H. Scherer, of Ohio. Staff members present: Richard Arens, staff director; William A. Wheeler, investigator; and Fulton Lewis III, research analyst. Mr. WILLIS. The subcommittee will please come to order. We are glad to have with us this morning our colleague from Ohio, Representative Gordon Scherer. Mr. Scherer is a member of the full committee, and due to the inability of Mr. Moulder, of Missouri, to be here, he was designated in his stead. However, Mr. Scherer was delayed in coming to the hearing. It looked as though yesterday we might have to go over until Monday. We asked him to please come to San Francisco. However, last night we had a rather late session and heard quite a number of witnesses. It is quite definite that we will not go over until Monday, but will complete the hearings today. Nevertheless, we are very happy to have with us today as a member of the subcommittee, our friend and colleague from Ohio, Mr. Gordon Scherer. Will you proceed Mr. Arens? Mr. ARENS. Mr. Prussion, will you kindly resume the witness chair. TESTIMONY OF KARL PRUSSION-Resumed Mr. ARENS. You were sworn yesterday on this record? Mr. PRUSSION. Yes, sir. Mr. ARENS. Mr. Prussion, yesterday in the course of your testimony you stated in essence, among other things, that the Communist opera |