COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE LOS ANGELES, CALIF., AREA   1543
in Seattle, Wash., a few months ago organized labor of great organizations, the CIO, the American Federation of Labor, and many independent unions communicated with this committee expressing full
support in the effort that was being made to assist them to get out of
their ranks those whose primary allegiance was not to the United
States Government. I am sure, that no trade union is going to assist
in its own smashing or its own destruction. You are not here because
you are a trade unionist; you are here because you have been ident ilied
under oath as a former or present member of the Communist Party.
Mr. Beard. Identified with an independent union which another
union can gain a great deal by breaking and taking over.
Mr. Jackson. That is something about which we know absolutely
nothing; the internal affairs of your union are not a concern of this
subcommittee.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Beard. I will have to refuse to answer that on the grounds previously stated. And I am stating here that on the grounds I am
standing on is the first amendment supplemented by the fifth amendment, and I insist that the fifth amendment, I am standing on all of
it and it is there to protect the innocent, too.
Mr. Doyle. We agree with you, Witness.
Mr. Beard. This is my position.
Mr. Doyle. That is one of the glorious things about the United
States of America, that we have the Constitution and we have the
amendments to it and we never criticize, in fact we compliment any
witness before us when in good faith and honesty they claim their constitutional protection. Of course we do regret that now and then
we have witnesses before us, as Mr. Jackson proved this morning,
pleading the amendment without any legal basis.
Thank you very much. Witness and Counsel.
The witness is excused.
Mr. Beard. Thank you.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Diamond Kim.
TESTIMONY OF DIAMOND KIM, ACCOMPANIED BY COUNSEL,
WILLIAM SAMUELS
Mr. Doyle. Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Kim. I do.
Mr. Doyle. Please have a seat.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state your name, please, sir.
Mr. Kim. My name is Diamond Kim.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you accompanied by counsel ?
Mr. Kim. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel please state his name for the record.
Mr. Samuels. William Samuels of Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Kim, do you use any name other than the name
Diamond as a first name ?
(The witness conferred with his counsel.)
Mr. Kim. I refuse to answer that question.
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