Part 16

Mr. WESTMAN. I still decline to answer the question under the fifth amendment because I do not consider this an opportunity.

Mr. MOULDER. You say you served in the Armed Forces for a period of how long?

Mr. WESTMAN. Approximately 6 or 7 months.

Mr. MOULDER. And why were you discharged?

Mr. WESTMAN. That was because I was over 40.

Mr. MOULDER. What was the extent of your services in the Armed Forces? Were you in combat service?

Mr. WESTMAN. No.

Mr. MOULDER. Are there any further questions?

Mr. TAVENNER. No, sir.

Mr. MOULDER. Mr. Velde?

Mr. VELDE. No questions.

Mr. MOULDER. The witness is excused.

(Whereupon the witness was excused.)

Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. Frank Kerr.

Will you come forward? Just have a seat, please.

(Mr. Frank Kerr came forward, accompanied by his counsel, Jay G. Sykes.)

Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. Chairman, this witness has been subpenaed, and a doctor’s certificate has been given which is wholly inadequate as a medical certificate to show that this gentleman was not in condition to appear here.

Counsel was advised to get a doctor and give us a certificate that we thought would mean something.

There may have been some confusion about who was to have the examination made, but, regardless of that, it is quite apparent, from observation, that the man is not well, and I don’t feel satisfied in interrogating him under these circumstances unless the witness himself wants to be interrogated.

(Mr. Sykes conferred with Mr. Kerr.)

Mr. SYKES. He would rather not.

Mr. TAVENNER. Under those circumstances I do not feel like insisting on it.

Mr. MOULDER. Do you wish the subpena to be continued or remain in full force and effect?

Mr. TAVENNER. No, sir. Under the circumstances, I think Mr. Kerr should be dismissed.

Mr. MOULDER. The witness is excused.

(Whereupon the witness was excused.)

Mr. TAVENNER. There are no further witnesses, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. MOULDER. The hearing will remain in order.

As chairman of this subcommittee, and on behalf of the staff of the committee, our able counsel, Mr. Tavenner, and our investigator, Mr. Wheeler, and myself, we are all deeply grateful to the police department and the highly qualified police officers who have served this committee so faithfully and efficiently.

We are also deeply grateful and want to express our appreciation to all city, county, and Federal officials who have cooperated with us in every possible way.

As a member of the Committee on Un-American Activities, I want to say that I have attended many hearings in many sections of the United States, and I have never had the pleasure of enjoying more genuine, warm hospitality than has been extended to us during the hearings which have been held here in Seattle, Wash.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and the honor of having been associated with so many fine people as I have found here in Seattle. They have cooperated with us during the hearings.

We also wish to express our deep appreciation for the efficient service rendered by the sheriff’s office, as well as all other public officials who have cooperated with us during the hearings.

Mr. Velde?

Mr. VELDE. I simply want to say this, Mr. Chairman: I appreciate the courteous and fair manner in which you have conducted the hearings here in Seattle.

I have a soft spot in my heart for the people in Seattle, and I concur with you that we have been given more courteous treatment, or at least as courteous treatment here in the city of Seattle and in the Northwest area as we have been given in any other section of the country. We really do appreciate it.

Mr. MOULDER. Thank you very much, Mr. Velde.

The committee will be adjourned.

(Whereupon, Saturday, March 19, 1955, at 5:35 p. m., the committee was recessed subject to the call of the Chair.)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] This is a reference to International Association of Machinists, AFL, Aeronautical Industrial District Lodge 751.

[2] This is a reference to National Union of Marine Cooks and Stewards.

[3] This is a reference to Masters, Mates, and Pilots of America, National Organization (AFL).

[4] This is a reference to National Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (CIO).

[5] This is a reference to Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific.

[6] This is a reference to the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union.

[7] This is a reference to Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association Pacific Coast.

[8] This is a reference to National Union of Marine Cooks and Stewards of the Pacific.

[9] This is a reference to Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific.

[10] This is a reference to Building Service Employees’ International Union, AFL, Local No. 6.

[11] This is a reference to International Woodworkers of America (CIO).

[12] This is a reference to International Association of Machinists, AFL.

[Transcriber’s Note:

References ‘uopwa 35 cio’ are ‘United Office and Professional Workers of America, Local No. 35 C. I. O.’

Page 395, duplicate sentences ‘Mr. Dennett. E-n-g-s-t-r-o-m.’ removed.

Page 420, ‘The meeting was overwhelming successful’ changed to read ‘The meeting was overwhelmingly successful’.

Page 432, ‘Was was his official title?’ was changed to read ‘What was his official title?’

Obvious printer errors corrected silently.

Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original.]