How would you interpret this phrase?
MR. WOOD (the president): The record will show this is the Committee on Un-American Activities sitting now in the city of Washington, District of Columbia. Those present in addition to Committee and Staff members are the recording secretary and visitors from the press corps in the back gallery of the room. Mr. Harrison Shepherd sits here before us accompanied by two persons. The committee will be in order.

How would you interpret this phrase “the recording secretary and visitors from the press corps in the back gallery of the room”?
Does it mean both the recording secretary and visitors from the press corps are sitting in the back gallery?
OR does it mean only the visitors from the press corps are sitting in the back gallery?
OR does it mean the press corps are sitting in the back gallery?
Thanks. And this excerpt is taken from The Lacuna by Kingsolver.

Question

How would you interpret this phrase?
MR. WOOD (the president): The record will show this is the Committee on Un-American Activities sitting now in the city of Washington, District of Columbia. Those present in addition to Committee and Staff members are the recording secretary and visitors from the press corps in the back gallery of the room. Mr. Harrison Shepherd sits here before us accompanied by two persons. The committee will be in order.

How would you interpret this phrase “the recording secretary and visitors from the press corps in the back gallery of the room”?
Does it mean both the recording secretary and visitors from the press corps are sitting in the back gallery?
OR does it mean only the visitors from the press corps are sitting in the back gallery?
OR does it mean the press corps are sitting in the back gallery?
Thanks. And this excerpt is taken from The Lacuna by Kingsolver.

Answer

It isn't clear from the text - however, it is likely that the 'recording secretary' would NOT be sitting in the back, as they would be part of the official staff of the committee and would be sitting near the President and members so they could clearly see and hear what was happening, given that it was their job to record proceedings.  "Visitors from the press corps"  and 'press corps' are the same thing here, i.e. some members of the press corps are present. It is these people who are sitting in the back gallery.