The Pittsburgh Press (September 2, 1941)
QUITS AMERICA FIRST
New York, Sept. 2 –
Lillian Gish, actress, announced today that she had resigned from the America First Committee, which opposes United States intervention in the war. She gave no reason.
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The New York Times (September 2, 1941)
LILLIAN GISH QUITS AMERICA FIRST GROUP
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But actress won’t say if her opinion on war is changed
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Lillian Gish, stage and screen actress, announced here yesterday that she had resigned as a member of the America First Committee, which is opposed to America’s intervention in the war. Miss Gish said she had informed General Robert E. Wood, acting national chairman of the America First Committee, of her resignation in a personal conversation with him in Chicago last Thursday. She declined to reveal the reason for her resignation, nor would she say whether she has changed her opinion on the international situation.
The actress, who has spoken publicly for the committee in Chicago, Hollywood and San Francisco, said:
I just resigned.
Recently, a Hollywood trade journal reported that Miss Gish might be called to Washington to testify before a Senate subcommittee appointed to investigate alleged pro-war “propaganda” in current films. The story said there was a rumor that Miss Gish could not get screen employment because of her America First activities. In the next issue of the journal, Miss Gish vigorously denied that she would be a witness, or that any discrimination had been employed against her.
She said yesterday:
My position still is the same. I have nothing to tell the Senate committee, and I know nothing of any discrimination against me.
Miss Gish. who recently closed a record run of Life with Father in Chicago, is visiting her mother, Mrs. Mary R. Gish, here. Her sister, Dorothy Gish, who toured in the same play, is also here.
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