That most young people are instinctively attracted to that which is wholesome.
Our belief in this sound commercial theory is only in addition to our belief in free expression and the noble traditions of our profession. Our history abounds in stalwarts of pen and pencil who have fought for freedom for others. For ourselves as artists and free Americans we too cherish freedom and the resultant growth of ideas. We cannot submit to the curb, the fence, or the intimidating word. The United States of America must remain a land where the Government follows the man.
Mr. Beaser. You are not saying that it is not possible to put into comics, crime comics and horror comics, what we have been talking about, things that might have some harmful effect?
Mr. Kelly. I think it is even entirely possible, sir. I think it is the duty of the creator of the material to see that that sort of thing does not get in there.
The creator, apart from the producer or the publisher, is personally responsible for his work.
I somewhat question the good doctor's statement before when he said in response to your question, sir, that perhaps the originators of this material might be under scrutiny, should be, as to their psychiatric situation.
We in the cartoon business sort of cherish the idea that we are all sort of screwball. We resent the implication that any men putting out that kind of stuff is not a screwball. That is another thing we fight for.
Senator Hennings. I would like to say to My. Kelly that I think your statement is admirable. I am a frustrated cartoonist myself. I wanted to be one when I was a boy and I got off the track. I have noticed the chairman of our committee doing a good deal of sketching during some of the hearings. He is really a very fine artist.
Without asking you to be invidious or to pass upon any thing ad hominem here with respect to any other publication, is it your opinion that there are certain publications being circulated and calculated to appeal to children in their formative years, their immature years, and from your understanding of the profession—and I call it one because it is; your strip is clean and enlightening as is Mr. Caniff's; the very best in the business—do you not deplore, do you gentlemen not deplore some of these things that you see purveyed to the children and in a sense pandering to the taste, or do you think those things will right themselves? Do you think sooner or later that the harm, if such exists, is outweighed by a good many other things?
Mr. Kelly. I think basically that is our position; yes, sir.
Senator Hennings. You realize, of course, the great danger of censorship?
Mr. Kelly. I realize, too, sir, the great danger of the magazines in question.
Senator Hennings. So it is a rough problem; is it not?
Mr. Kelly. We are put in a rather unpleasant position.
We don't like to be put in a position to defend what we will defend to the last breath.
The Chairman. Mr. Caniff do you feel the same way?
Mr. Caniff. Yes, sir; but if I may, I would like to point out here because it has not been done, we first of all represent the newspaper strip as contrasted with the comic book. It is a fact, of course, as you all well know, that the newspaper strip is not only censored by each editor who buys it, precensors it, which is his right, but by the syndi-
