“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 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.”
On May 26th, 1938, in the midst of growing fears concerning Communist subversion within the United States, Texas Congressman Martin Dies proposed legislation calling for the establishment of a congressional committee of seven standing members to thoroughly investigate potentially threatening domestic affairs.1 Based upon the McCormack-Dickstein Committee, which specifically dealt with “foreign” activity, Dies’ resolution drew upon fears of distrustful activities closer to home, citing the explicit necessity of suppressing dissent between America’s borders. 2
In 1939, within its first year of operation, the HUAC, under the chairmanship of Dies (and at this point in time, with only seven members, known as the Dies Committee), focused on exposing the distribution on Nazi propaganda. In the midst of global concerns over the rise of Fascism, with society on the brink of World War II, investigations were not all that concerned with the entertainment industry. But, as a precursor to later events, in that same year, Dies published reports on the “radical Communist activities…rampant among the studios of Hollywood.” 3
In the concluding years WWII, appropriation for the Dies Committee was greatly reduced, going from $150,000 in 1943 to $75,000 in 1944; with the Axis powers about to fall, fears concerning successful subversion began to crumble as well—stringent investigation no longer seemed vital. 4 Moreover, charges brought against Committee members, claiming the sole benefit of upholding their posts would be to increase their personal political advantage, evoked warnings of inevitable termination. 5 Yet, in the 79th Congress of 1945, the Dies Committee was granted permanent House standing, gaining two members and the new name of House Committee on Un-American Activities. 6
1 Buckley, William F. The Committee and Its Critics: A Calm Review of the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Van Rees Press, New York, NY. 1962.
2 Buckley, William F. The Committee and Its Critics: A Calm Review of the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
3 Buckley, William F. The Committee and Its Critics: A Calm Review of the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
4 Buckley, William F. The Committee and Its Critics: A Calm Review of the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
5 Buckley, William F. The Committee and Its Critics: A Calm Review of the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
6 Buckley, William F. The Committee and Its Critics: A Calm Review of the House Committee on Un-American Activities.