The SIMPP President Presents the Waldorf Agreement to the Independents
Includes the full-text of the Waldorf Conference Statement
December 1, 1947
TO ALL MEMBERS :
At the invitation of Mr. Eric Johnston and the Motion Picture Association, I
attended in New York last week a series of meetings on public relations problems
of the industry which arose from the recent hearings of the House Un-American
Activities Committee.
Important executives of the major studios were present, together with their
attorneys. The independents were also represented by Mr. Samuel Goldwyn, Mr.
James Mulvey and Mr. Walter Wanger.
After full discussion of the facts, a policy was unanimously adopted to guide
the industry and the following statement authorized for release:
"Members of the Association of
Motion Picture Producers deplore the action of the 10 Hollywood men who have
been cited for contempt by the House of Representatives. We do not desire to
prejudge their legal rights, but their actions have been a disservice to their
employers and have impaired their usefulness to the industry.
"We will forthwith discharge or
suspend without compensation those in our employ, and we will not re-employ any
of the 10 until such time as he is acquitted or has purged himself of contempt
and declares under oath that he is not a Communist.
"On the broader issue of alleged
subversive and disloyal elements in Hollywood, our members are likewise prepared
to take positive action.
"We will not knowingly employ a
Communist or a member of any party or group which advocates the overthrow of the
government of the United States by force or by any illegal or unconstitutional
methods.
"In pursuing this policy, we are
not going to be swayed by hysteria or intimidation from any source. We are frank
to recognize that such a policy involves danger and risks. There is the danger
of hurting innocent people. There is the risk of creating an atmosphere of fear.
Creative work at its best cannot be carried on in an atmosphere of fear. We will
guard against this danger, this risk, this fear.
"To this end we will invite the
Hollywood talent guilds to work with us to eliminate any subversives: to protect
the innocent; and to safeguard free speech and a free screen wherever
threatened.
"The absence of a national
policy, established by Congress, with respect to the employment of Communists in
private industry makes our task difficult. Ours is a nation of laws. We request
Congress to enact legislation to assist American industry to rid itself of
subversive, disloyal elements.
"Nothing subversive or
un-American has appeared on the screen, nor can any number of Hollywood
investigations obscure the patriotic services of the 30,000 loyal Americans
employed in Hollywood who have given our government invaluable aid to war and
peace."
As President of your Society, I concurred in the decision of the executives
the Majors. Mr. Goldwyn, Mr. Mulvey and Mr. Wanger did likewise on behalf of
their respective organizations.
A Committee of five was appointed,
including Mr. Wanger as representative the independents, to meet with the heads
of the Actors, Directors and Writers Guilds, advise them of our decision and
invite their cooperation.
The policy of the industry as outlined in the foregoing statement means that
the ten men who refused to answer the questions of the sub-committee of Congress
are automatically suspended until such a time as they make adequate answers. The
matter of determination of who is a Communist in respect to present and future
employment is left entirely in the hands of each individual producer and studio.
The obligation which each studio assumed at the meetings is not to employ a
Communist knowingly.
Sincerely yours,
DONALD M. NELSON
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