Sunday, April 5, 1953

Edward R. Murrow
Columbia Broadcasting System
485 Madison Avenue
New York 22, New York

I have just flipped off Channel Two on the completion of See It Now. I have a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, and a great feeling of pride that I know you. Only you would have had the vision, the compassion and the courage to present the Passover story to the American public on Easter Sunday. I am thinking of the Methodist Minister from Iowa who asked me in a Rocky Mountain camp ten years ago whether you were a devout man. If he was watching to day he had a more eloquent reply than the one I gave him then.

Do you remember the last time we launched together about two years ago at, I believe, the Twentieth Century Club? I was then having “Red Channels” trouble. I am having it again. I trust you don’t mind my writing to you for counsel, and perhaps help.

Shortly after hour last meeting, I returned to Hollywood to produce, direct and occasionally write a program for CBS radio called Operation Underground, a documentary type series of counter espionage, anti-communist stories. This was a sustaining feature from June 1951 to April 1952. Following the cancellation of this show, I continued to write for CBS, principally on Suspense and Romance. I used the nom-de-plume of “Christopher Anthony” (the first names of my two sons) for Suspense in order to save CBS any Red Channels embarrassment with the sponsor of that show.

Last October I was given to understand that CBS could accept no further scripts from me either under my own name or my nom-de-plume. Two scripts which had been contracted at that time were paid for but never used. I was also given to understand that I would again be “employable” when I had cleared myself.

I have not worked since.

I discussed the problem with Roy Brewer and Ward Bond whose group, as you no doubt know, have done a splendid job of clearing listed people in the motion picture industry. After investigation, they told me that beyond the four citations in Red Channels (one of which was wholly false, and another only half true) I did not appear on anybody's list. Vincent Hartnett, one of the original publishers of Red Channels stated in a letter to Bond that Operation Underground was the toughest and most sophisticated anti-communist program in radio and that in his opinion I was not and could never have been a communist. (Which of course is a fact, and a matter of public record). Ward Bond, in my presence, telephoned Jack Wrenn in New York and Larry Johnson in Syracuse and told them I was completely clear. Roy Brewer, in my presence, telephoned Dan O'Shea and informed him of these facts, but Mr. O'Shea was non-committal. Meantime I lost the opportunity to take over the production and direction of my old series Escape which was returning to the air in February.

My attorneys, Pacht, Tannenbaum and Ross, submitted a request to Harold Velde of the House Un-American Activities Committee for me to appear voluntarily and without subpoena during the recent hearings in Los Angeles. This request was accompanied by my sworn affidavit regarding my association with the two organizations to which the committee's investigators had linked my name. On March 28th, in a televised public hearing, Mr. Tavenner read my attorney's letter and introduced it and my affidavit into the record. At this time Mr. Velde said I would be heard at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mr. O’Shea has been advised of these developments and has received copies of all the pertinent correspondents with the exception of the affidavit, the contents of which are covered in a copy of my letter to Roy Brewer, which Brewer forwarded to O’Shea. This material has also been sent by Brewer to Larry Johnson, Jack Wrenn, George Sokolsky, Mr. Hartnett, James O’Neil of the American Legion, and Counterattack.

Nevertheless I am still “unemployable” at CBS. I can’t understand it. In a view of the fact that last week Burl Ives appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, and today Burgess Meredith appeared on Omnibus. Both these men have much longer listings in Red Channels than I have.

I do not know what I can do beyond what I have already done.

I would appreciate any suggestions you might be able, or care to make.

By the way, did you know that Irving Reis had been very ill? He had a rectal cancer removed at the Mayo Clinic just before Christmas. (At the same time his third child was being born). He is home now, and although not yet his old active self, seems definitely on the mend.

Thank you, Ed, for taking the time to hear my problem. I hope you can also find time to give me your reactions to it.

Kindest regards,
Bill

Red Channels

The document is at the Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/red-channels-the-report-of-communist-influence-in-radio-and-television 

Robson's listing is on page 123. In Robson's letter, he mentions Burl Ives and Burgess Meredith. Their listings are on pages 87 and 109, respectively.

Persons mentioned in the letter

Roy Brewer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Brewer 

Ward Bond https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward_Bond 

Vincent Hartnett https://spartacus-educational.com/USAharnettV.htm, a co-author of Red Channels

Jack Wren, security officer at the BBDO advertising agency, a former Naval Intelligence officer

Lawrence Johnson, owner of a supermarket chain in Syracuse, NY, who became prominent in the Red Channels initiative and known nationwide among retailers

Harold Velde https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_H._Velde 

Frank S. Tavenner https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_S._Tavenner_Jr. 

George Sokolsky https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Sokolsky 

James O'Neil, National Commander of the American Legion 

Irving Reis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Reis, an early radio pioneer at CBS who had great success in the motion picture industry; sadly, he died at age 47, three months after Robson's letter.