Mr. MOULDER. May I ask the witness where you were born?
Mrs. PIERCE. I was born in Martinsburg, W. Va.
Mr. MOULDER. And when did you come to the State of Washington?
(The witness confers with her counsel.)
Mrs. PIERCE. I believe it was in 1942 or possibly 1943. I am not
certain.
Mr. MOULDER. Were you married at that time?
Mrs. PIERCE. No, sir.
Mr. MOULDER. Did you come to Washington alone?
Mrs. PIERCE. Yes, sir.
Mr. MOULDER. Did you have employment when you arrived or did you have
to seek employment after you arrived?
(The witness confers with her counsel.)
Mrs. PIERCE. On this question, sir, I wish to invoke my privilege under
the fifth amendment.
Mr. VELDE. Mr. Chairman, I fail to see how that could possibly tend to
incriminate her or lead to incrimination. I suggest that the witness be
directed to answer the question.
Mr. MOULDER. The witness is directed to answer the question.
(The witness confers with her counsel.)
Mrs. PIERCE. Sir, this is a question which I would like very much to
answer, and answer fully, but I feel that it might lead either to other
questions which might incriminate me or to a waiver of my right to
claim the protection of the fifth amendment, and I therefore do claim
protection of the fifth amendment.
Mr. MOULDER. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
Mrs. PIERCE. Again I claim the protection of the fifth amendment.
Mr. MOULDER. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?
Mrs. PIERCE. I claim the protection of the fifth amendment on that
question, too.
Mr. MOULDER. Are you now employed?
Mrs. PIERCE. I have already answered that question.
Mr. MOULDER. Then would you care to answer again?
Mrs. PIERCE. Well, I could answer it again the same as I did before. I
am employed now.
Mr. MOULDER. Where are you now employed?
Mrs. PIERCE. At the Tacoma Country and Golf Club.
Mr. MOULDER. How long have you been employed there?
Mrs. PIERCE. I decline to answer under the privilege of the fifth
amendment.
Mr. MOULDER. Do you mean to say the length of time you have been
employed there would tend to incriminate you? Is that your reasoning on
that?
Mrs. PIERCE. I have already stated my answer, sir.
Mr. MOULDER. Any questions, Mr. Velde?
Mr. VELDE. No questions.
Mr. MOULDER. The witness is excused.
The committee will stand in recess until tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock.
(Whereupon, at 4:50 p. m., the subcommittee was recessed, to be
reconvened at 9 a. m., Saturday, March 19, 1955.)