William A. Price
Encyclopedia
William A. Price was an American journalist who worked as the United Nations correspondent and, later, police reporter for the New York Daily News
from 1940-1955. He is one of many journalists to be fired and labeled as outcasts because of their alleged affiliations with the Communist Party
.
's testimony before the subcommittee earlier that summer.
Unlike some of the other writers and news employees called before the subcommittee Price avoided invoking the protections of the Fifth Amendment
to avoid answering questions, instead standing behind the First Amendment
. He simply refused to answer any questions, telling the subcommittee that they lacked jurisdiction to inquire about his political opinions. The Daily News Executive Editor Richard Clarke immediately fired Price by telegram, saying his testimony had "destroyed [his] usefulness" to the News.
His attempt to invoke the First Amendment was overruled by Senator James O. Eastland multiple time. Due to his testimony Price was indicted on charges of contempt of Congress
, along with journalists Alden Whitman
and Robert Shelton. Price was eventually convicted of the charge and was sentenced to three months in jail and a fine of $500.
of Manhattan for over forty years. He was a direct descendant of the American revolutionary William Henry
and one of the founders of Scranton, Pennsylvania: Charles Scranton. His cousin, George Polk
, a foreign correspondent for CBS, was honored on a U.S. postage stamp in 2008.
Marton, Kati: The Polk Conspiracy; Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 1990
Polk, William Roe: Polk's Folly, An American Family History; Anchor Books, New York, 2000
Vlanton, Elias and Mettger, Zak: Who Killed George Polk?; Temple University Press, Philadelphia, PA 1996
New York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
from 1940-1955. He is one of many journalists to be fired and labeled as outcasts because of their alleged affiliations with the Communist Party
Communist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
.
Senate subpoena
Price was subpoenaed by and testified before the U.S. Senate Internal Security Subcommittee in November 1955. He was one of dozens of journalists who were subpoened in November 1955 due to of Winston BurdettWinston Burdett
Winston Burdett was an American broadcast journalist and correspondent for the CBS Radio Network during World War II and later for CBS television news. He was born in Buffalo, New York. From 1937-1942 he was involved with the Communist Party...
's testimony before the subcommittee earlier that summer.
Unlike some of the other writers and news employees called before the subcommittee Price avoided invoking the protections of the Fifth Amendment
Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, protects against abuse of government authority in a legal procedure. Its guarantees stem from English common law which traces back to the Magna Carta in 1215...
to avoid answering questions, instead standing behind the First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
. He simply refused to answer any questions, telling the subcommittee that they lacked jurisdiction to inquire about his political opinions. The Daily News Executive Editor Richard Clarke immediately fired Price by telegram, saying his testimony had "destroyed [his] usefulness" to the News.
His attempt to invoke the First Amendment was overruled by Senator James O. Eastland multiple time. Due to his testimony Price was indicted on charges of contempt of Congress
Contempt of Congress
Contempt of Congress is the act of obstructing the work of the United States Congress or one of its committees. Historically the bribery of a senator or representative was considered contempt of Congress...
, along with journalists Alden Whitman
Alden Whitman
Alden Whitman was an American journalist. He worked at The New York Times where he pioneered writing personalized obituaries. He is also known for his testimony before the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee...
and Robert Shelton. Price was eventually convicted of the charge and was sentenced to three months in jail and a fine of $500.
Personal life
Price was an activist for tenant rights on the Upper West SideUpper West Side
The Upper West Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, that lies between Central Park and the Hudson River and between West 59th Street and West 125th Street...
of Manhattan for over forty years. He was a direct descendant of the American revolutionary William Henry
William Henry (delegate)
William Henry was an American gunsmith from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a delegate for Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress in 1784, 1785, and 1786.-Biography:...
and one of the founders of Scranton, Pennsylvania: Charles Scranton. His cousin, George Polk
George Polk
George Polk was an American journalist for CBS who disappeared in Greece and was found dead a few days later on Sunday May 16, 1948, shot at point-blank range in the back of the head, and with hands and feet tied. Polk was covering the civil war in Greece between the right wing government and...
, a foreign correspondent for CBS, was honored on a U.S. postage stamp in 2008.
Further reading
A Flight Along America's Highways http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/Americas_Highway.htmlMarton, Kati: The Polk Conspiracy; Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 1990
Polk, William Roe: Polk's Folly, An American Family History; Anchor Books, New York, 2000
Vlanton, Elias and Mettger, Zak: Who Killed George Polk?; Temple University Press, Philadelphia, PA 1996