Now, not only may a particular organization be engaged in producing comics, both comic and magazines, but many times they will produce both comics and magazines through one individual corporation within the group.
In this exhibit, for example, this particular comic, which is produced once again by Atlas—and we are using Atlas merely as an example—these particular publications are not only both produced by the Atlas, but they are produced by a single corporation within the Atlas group.
Mr. Bueaser. You say Atlas group. That is a trade-mark?
Mr. Clendenen. Yes, all their publications carry the Atlas trademark.
Mr. Beaser. In the course of your investigation has your staff had occasion to review scientific studies which have been made on the effect of crime and horror comics upon children and the relationship to juvenile delinquency?
Mr. Clendenen. Yes, we have. That is, we have reviewed virtually all of the surveys and studies that have been made; that is, we have reviewed all that we have been able to find.
I might say that it probably is not too surprising that the expert opinions and findings of these studies are not wholly unanimous. That is, there is certain diversity of opinion regarding the effects of these materials on youngsters even among these individuals whom we might properly qualify as experts.
Now, in this connection, I would like to submit to the subcommittee a few items here which relate to this matter of effects of these materials upon youngsters. One of these is a survey that was made at our request by the Library of Congress which summarizes all of the studies that they could locate having to do with the effects of crime comics upon the behavior of youngsters.
The Chairman. Is it your desire that this material be put in the record, or made a part of the subcommittee's files?
Mr. Clendenen. The latter, I believe.
The Chairman. I think that would be preferable.
Mr. Clendenen. I also would like to submit a letter which we received from Dr. Robert Felix, Director of the Institute of Mental Health, to whom we submitted samples of these materials and this is his reply to us indicating his feelings on the effects of these materials,
The Chairman. Without objection, that will be made a part of the record. Let that be exhibit No. 1.
(The document referred to was marked "Exhibit No. 1," and reads as follows:)
Exhibit No. 1
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare,
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
Mr. Richard Clendenen,
- Executive Director, Subcommittee To Investigate Juvenile Delinquency,
- United States Senate, Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Clendenen: Your letter of March 23, 1954, requested an opinion concerning the effects of comic books upon children. You made it clear that your interest does not really include all comic books, but the rather sensational kinds of which you sent samples.
