Mr. Davis. I will tell you the judgment is this: Probably his were no worse than the rest of them,
It seems to me that it is going just a little too far, honestly, this comic business. I am not sitting here trying to tell you I don't think so. Honestly, I believe it is.
They are sticking their necks out a mile and a half. As far as we are concerned, we ave going to be very, very careful about this, even more than in the past.
Now, I cannot reconcile several things here. No one has shown me yet—I want to be convinced myself—whereinan comic has caused any particular crime or has anything to do with this crime business.
Senator Tkennincs. We are not trying to make that case, Mr. Davis, as you know.
Mr. Davis. I am asking for my own information.
Senator Hexnnincs. May Isay for your information, sir, and with the permission of the Chairman, that we have said at the outset of these hearings, sir, that this committee has no preconceived views
about this. We are not, in ether words, presenting the state’s case. W e are trying to find ont if there is any impact in this, and if 30, to what extent, ‘and wh: at should be done about it if it exists.
Mr. Davis. I will agree that this thing has gone a little too far, but I de agree also that the industry in itself should get together and do a little fine-combing here.
The Chairman. The committee agrees with that statement,
Mr. Davis. Because this industry. can be ruined by the other side of ihe fence also, By having committees review newsstands and pull out good magazines. IJ published a magazine several years azo
called the Ideal Woman. The feature story in it was Mary Piek- ford’s Why Not Try God, Christian Science Business. This hook of mine was put on the list circulated in the entire country as being indecent literature.
As far as Lam concerned it is still on there. That was 10 years ago. The thing has been dead 10 years.
Some of the committees go overboard. Are they capable and do they know the right things? Tf we had some smart people that knew what it is all about to to go out—I am not saying they are not smart, but. to do some little fine recommendations, I think the industry would be much better off.
Senator Hennixes. Why is not the industry itself capable of regu- lating itself?
Mr. Davis. I have heard some statements made here that make this industry look ridiculous. You asked a man if something looks hor- rible, he said, “No, if there is no blood dripping out it is not horrible.”
Senator Hexnrxes. For example, Mr. Mystery, is that one of your publications, sir?
Mr. Dayts. Yes, sir.
Senator Hennings. Do you think that. is a rather pleasant example?
Mr, Davis, You mean the cover?
Senator Hennines. Human heads boiling in a vat, that amiable gentleman sewing one of them with a needle and thread.
Mr. Davis. It is so horrible it is comical. I would not agree that is in good taste; no, sir.
Senator Hunxixcs. Here is another, the Weird Chills.
Mr. Davis. That is one of mine.
