In October 1947, a congressional committee, the House Un-American Activities Committee, held hearings to investigate communist i
nfiltration of the motion picture industry. The transcript records the questioning of Dalton Trumbo by the committee in 1947. Which two sentences show that Trumbo is being bullied by the committee members? The Chairman: This is a new question, now.
Mr. Trumbo: I see.
Mr. Stripling: You must have some reason for asking this question—
Mr. McDowell: Yes, we do.
Mr. Trumbo: You do.
I understand that members of the press have been given an alleged Communist Part card belonging to me—is that true?
Mr. Stripling: That is not true.
The Chairman: You are not asking the question—
Mr. Trumbo: I was.
The Chairman: The chief investigator is asking the questions.
Mr. Trumbo: I beg your pardon, sir.
The Chairman: Are you or have you ever been a member of the communist party?
Mr. Trumbo: I believe I have the right to be confronted with any evidence which supports this question. I should like to see what you have.
The Chairman: Oh. Well, you would!
Mr. Trumbo: Yes.
The Chairman: Well, you will, pretty soon.
(Laughter and applause.)
The Chairman (pounding gavel): The witness is excused. Impossible.
Mr. Trumbo: This is just the beginning—
The Chairman (pounding gavel): Just a minute—
Mr. Trumbo: Of an American concentration camp.
The Chairman: This is typical communist tactics. This is typical Communist tactics. [Pounding gavel.] Which sentence best describes a regressive tax?
He is basically being asked targeted questions, by asking him if he is a member of the communist party they are bullying him, because they are not evaluating evidence
