rE"
t
,A-Q9335>4al95
"Bi
Given By
B^
f>^- 11
s>^=5C?
INVESTIGATION OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA— Part 11
HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
HOUSE OF REPEESENTATIYES
EIGHTY-THIRD CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
SEPTEMBER 17, 1954
Printed for the use of the Committee on Un-American Activities
INCLUDING INDEX
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
-47718 WASHINGTON : 1954
I
51
Boston Public Library
Superintendent of Documents
NOV 2 4 1954
COMMITTEE ON UN-AMEKICAN ACTIVITIES
United States House of Representatives
HAROLD H. VELDE, Illinois, Chairman
BERNARD W. KEARNEY, New York FRANCIS E. WALTER, Pennsylvania
DONALD L. JACKSON, California MORGAN M. MOULDER, Missouri
KIT CLARDY, Michigan CLYDE DOYLE, California
GORDON H. SCHERER, Ohio JAMES B. FRAZIER, Je., Tennessee
ROBERT L. KuNziG, Counscl
Frank S. Tavenner, Jr., Counsel
THOMAS W. Beale, Sr., Chief Clerk
Raphael I. NixON, Director of Research
Courtney E. Owens, Chief Invcstic/ator
II
CONTENTS
Page
September 17, 1954, tostiiuony of- —
Lynn Akerstein 7022
O'bed Alexa.nr'er (Whitey) Rosen 7043
Vincent William Acanf ora 7046
Pavil Edwin Sleeth, Jr 7047
John Carpadakis 7049
Robert Samuel Ang\iis 7052
Raymond Foss Baker 7055
Marian A. Baker 7057
Lura Stevenson Elston 705&
George Richard Earl Adams 7060
Index i
III
Public Law 601, 79th Congress
The legislation under which the House Committee on Un-American
Activities operates is Public Law 601, 79th Congress [1946], chapter
753, 2d session, which provides :
Be it enacted 'by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled, * * *
PART 2— RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
*******
Rule X
SEC. 121. STANDING COMMITTEES
:|E * * ' iji * * *
17. Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine members.
*******
RXTLE XI
POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
* * * * * * *
(q) (1) Committee on Un-American Activities.
(A) Un-American activities.
(2) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a wtiole or by subcommit-
tee, is autliorizecl to make from time to time investigations of (i) the extent,
character, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in tlie United States,
(ii) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American propa-
ganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and
attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitu-
tion, and (iii) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congi'ess
in any necessary remedial legislation.
The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the
Clerk of the House if the House is not in session) the results of any such investi-
gation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-American
Activities or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such
times and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting,
has recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance
of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and
to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued under
the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by any
member designated by any such cliairman, and may be served by any person
designated by any such chairman or member.
ItULBS ADOPTED BY THE S3D CONGRESS
House liesolution 5, January 3, 1953
RlILE X
STANDING COMMITTEES
1. There shall be elected by the House, at the commencement of each Con-
gress, the following standing committees :
4s * 4: * * 4: :t
(q) Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine members.
Rule XI
POWEKS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
4i ^ ^ « * * *
17. Gonmiittee on Un-American Activities.
(a) Un-American activities.
(b) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommittee,
is authorized to make from time to time, investigations of (1) the extent, char-
acter, and oljjects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States,
(2) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American prop-
aganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and
attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitu-
tion, and (3) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congress
in any necessary remedial iegislaticm.
The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the
Clerk of the House if the House is not in session ) the results of any such investi-
gation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
For the purpose of any such investigation, the Conmiittee on Un-American
Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such times
and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting, has
recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance
of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and
to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued undfr
the signature of the chairman of the committee or any sul)committee, or by any
member designated by such chairman, and may be served by any person desig-
nated by any such chairman or member.
INVESTIGATION OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA— Part 11
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1954
UxiTED States House of Representatives,
Subcommittee of the Committee on
Un-American AcTr\'inEs,
San Diego ^ Ccdif.
PUBLIC HEARING
The subcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities
met, pursuant to adjournment, at 10 a. m., in the Chamber of Com-
merce Building, Hon. Donald L. Jackson (acting chairman) pre-
siding.
Committee members present : Representatives Donald L. Jackson
and Clyde Doyle.
Statf members present: William A. Wheeler, investigator; Mrs.
Billie Wheeler, acting for the clerk.
Mr. Jackson. The committee will be in order. Through the author-
ity vested in the chairman of the House Committee on Un-American
Activities, an interim subcommittee consisting of Congressman Doyle
and Congressman Jackson, with the latter acting as acting chairman,
has been appointed to conduct whatever hearings are considered
necessary or- desirable during the interim in the recess of Congress.
Under that authority the committee is meeting this morning to hear
the testiuKmy of witnesses during: the course of the dav.
In the instance of the Avituess Mr. Richard Adams who, during a
previous appearance before the connnittee acknowledged facts of his
own memb?rship in the Communist Party, but who declined to elab-
orate upon the names of those with whom he was associated or their
activities in the ])arty, the PTouse of Representatives acting upon the
recommendation of the House Connnittee on T'n-American Activities
subsequently cited JNIi-. Adams for contempt of Congress. In line with
the policy of tlie connnittee to attempt to meet all fair requests, and
upon receipt of a request from Mr. Adams that he be permitted to
appear again before the committee to answer relevant questions hav-
ing to do with his own activities and those of others within the
Comnnmist Party, the committee voted to hear him again and to
authorize this subcommittee to take such testimony.
Are you ready to proceed, Mr. Wheeler ?
Mr. Wheeler. Yes, sir.
Mr. Jackson. Call your first witness, please.
Mr. Wheeler. Lynn Akerstein.
Mr. Jackson. Will you please raise your right hand and be sworn?
7021
7022 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Do you solemnly swear in tlie testimony you are about to give be-
fore the subcommittee you will tell the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mrs. Akerstein, I do.
Mr. Jackson. I might say before the witness commences the testi-
mony that the subcommittee will ask for the cooperation of the audi-
ence here in the room in not expressing in any way approval or disap-
proval of the testimony of any witness.
Proceed, Mr. Wheeler,
Mr. Wheeler. Will you state your full name, please ?
TESTIMONY OF LYNN AKERSTEIN
Mrs. Akerstein. Lynn Akerstein.
Mr. Wheeler, Would you spell the last name ?
Mrs. Akerstein. A-k-e-r-s-t-e-i-n,
Mr. Wheeler, Mrs. Akerstein, I see you are not represented by
counsel,
Mrs. Akerstein. No.
Mr. Wheeler. Under the rules of the committee you are entitled to
counsel if you so desire. Do you desire counsel ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No.
Mr. Wheeler, Where were you born?
Mrs. Akerstein. Glendale, Calif,
Mr, Wheeler. Where do you presently reside ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Los Angeles, Calif.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you please briefly give the committee your
educational background ?
Mrs, Akerstein. I graduated from Antelope Valley High School,
and then attended Los Angeles Junior College for 2 years.
JNIr. Wheeler. Will 3"ou advise the committee of your employment
background ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I did not work during my first marriage. In 194'6
I went to work for Federal Housing in San Diego, worked there from
May of 1946 until June of 1947. In June of 1917 I was employed as
executive secretary by the Progressive Citizens of America and worked
for them until February of 1948, at which time I became county
director of the county Independent Progressive Party. I worked
for the Independent Progressive Party until the end of 1948, at which
time I went to San Francisco. I worked briefly for the California
Labor School and subsequently for a department store. I worked for
the Independent Progressive Party in San Francisco, and following
that worked for 6 months in a cannery, and then for 6 months for the
union of the Marine Cooks and Stewards.
I was remarried, and following the termination of that marriage
I went back to school and studied shorthand and worked as a secretary
for a construction company. I am presently unemployed.
Mr, Wheeler. Mrs, Akerstein, during the course of the hearings
held by this committee in San Diego in April of this year you were
identified by several former members of the Communist Party as a
Communist Party member in this area. Is their identification card
correct ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
COJMAIUNIST ACTIMTIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7023
Mr. Wheeler. 'Wlien did you first join the Communist Party?
Mrs. Akerstein. Late in 1946.
Mr, Wheeler. And when did you leave the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. In the summer of 1950.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you join the Communist Party in San Diego,
Calif.?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. In what city did you terminate your membership in
the Communist Party?
Mrs. Akerstein. In San Francisco.
Mr. Wheeler. What were the reasons which interested you in be-
coming a member of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. When I was working for Federal Housing I
joined the United Public Workers Union. I had never before been in
a position to be able to be a member of a trade uni(m, and I felt very
strongly about the importance of organization and the need to partici-
pate actively in union organization. After joining the local union
I was elected a delegate to the CIO council. And I found that ideas
that I had had for many years on the question of discrimination par-
ticularly, and on other questions regarding social conditions in this
country and the need for attempting to better conditions for all people,
I found that these ideas of mine were shared by some of the people in
the CIO.
And I guess that as I expressed my ideas I came to the attention of
people who felt the way I did. I became very active in the council,
and particularly in terms of political action. And following some
months of activity I was asked if I would like to attend a meeting where
Marxism would be discussed. I did attend this meeting and following
that was asked if I would like to join the Communist Party. It seemed
to me at the time that the people who most nearly shared my ideas
about the need for improvement of conditions for all people and the
fight against discrimination in any form were people who were mem-
bers of the Communist Party or who were in sympathy with the Com-
munist Party.
I had no preconceived ideas about the Communist Party, I was
neither for it nor against it. I had never been a joiner. I didn't
know anything about organizations. So I did join the Communist
Party, as I say, feeling this was a way to express my feelings for all
people to live better and be treated better.
Mr. Wheeler. Do your beliefs now coincide with those of the Com-
munist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No, they don't. At least, I don't believe that
improved social conditions can be achieved through the Communist
Party.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall the name of the individual who asked
you to join the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Blanche O'Brien.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you further identify Blanche O'Brien ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Mrs. O'Brien was a member of the CIO council, a
delegate from either the United Public Workers or the United Office
Workers. I think she was a member of both unions at various times.
]\Ir. Wheeler. Do you recall where she was employed ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No, I don't.
47718— 54— pt. 11 2
7024 COMIMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Wheeler. You mentioned you attended a class on Marxism.
Do you recall where this class was held ?
Mrs. Akerstein. In Lloyd Hamlin's photojrraphy studio.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you know Lloyd Hamlin as a member of the
Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I met him then, and he was later known to me as
a member of the Communist Party.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Hamlin testified before the com-
mittee in the April hearings, and I would like to mention the fact that
he was an operative for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the
Communist Party, and not an actual Communist himself.
Do you recall who the instructor was at this particular meeting at
the studio of Mr. Hamlin ?
Mrs. Akerstein. As I recall it w^as kind of a discussion group, and I
think that Mr. Hamlin led the discussion. I wouldn't call him an
instructor.
Mr. Wheeler. How many meetings of this group did you attend?
Mrs. Akerstein. One.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you then assigned to a group or unit of the
Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes, I was.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall who assigned you to this group ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No, I really don't remember.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall the name of the club or group of the
Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. It was the Morgan Hull Club of the Communist
Party.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you know how it acquired the name Morgan
Hull?
Mrs. Akerstein. I am not really sure. I i-emember some discussion
about a name.
Mr. Wheeler. Morgan Hull was a leader of the Communist Party
here in San Diego prior to your joining — he is now deceased — and they
honored him by naming the club after him.
Do you recall how many people comprised this unit, the Morgan
Hull Club?
Mrs. Akerstein. From 6 to 10 people.
Mr. Wheeler. And how long were you a member of the Morgan
Hull Club?
Mrs. Akerstein. From the time I joined the Communist Party until
I left San Diego at the end of 1948.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall who the leader or president or chair-
man of this club was?
Mrs. Akerstein. Lloyd Hamlin.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall the names of any other individuals
wlio held offices in the Morgan Hull Club ?
Mrs. Akerstein. The only other office that I recall was that of treas-
urer. This office was held by Lolita Gibson.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you spell the first name ?
Mrs. Akerstein. L-o-l-i-t-a.
Mr. Wheeler. She is the individual to whom you paid your dues?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7025
^fi-. Wheeler. What type of individuals comprised this unit, tlieir
occupations or back<iround, et cetera, whatever you know about them?
Mrs. Akersteix. Tlie membership of this oroup was an assortment
of })eople, not with identical backiiTounds, maybe pretty dominantly
professional, but tliere were some labor people, kind of a hodoepodfre.
Mr. Wheeler. Was there any effort to keep the identity of the mem-
bers of this club secret?
J\Irs. Akerstein. Yes,; I think that the people in this particular
club were probably there because they had either personal reasons or
reasons of the Comnnmist Party some particular security problem it
was desired that their membership be kept secret.
Mr. Doyle. May I have that answer again, please ? I couldn't hear
the question and answer, please.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you read the question and answer, please ?
(Record was read.)
Mr. Wheeler. Was it any particular advantage to the Comnnmist
Party to keep their membership secret?
]Mrs. Akersteix. Most, or maybe all, of the members of this club
were people who were active in trade unions or in community organ-
izations where they were not identified as Communists, and the Com-
munist Party, in order to avoid being accused of dominating such or-
ganizations, would have felt it an advantage to keep the identity of the
members a secret.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you given any particular security instructions
by the Conmiunist Party in relation to your own conduct ?
Mrs. Akersteix. Well as individuals we would. It would be sug-
gested that we not discuss our membership with other people, that we
be cautious in using telephones and arranging meetings, and this kind
of security.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you known to the rank and file as a member of
the Connnunist Party?
Mrs. Akersteix. To the rank and file of the Communist Party ?
Mr, Wheeler. Yes, as a member of the Communist Party.
Mrs. Akerstphx. I doubt that I was identified totally within the
membership.
Mr. Wheeler. An effort was made, then, by the Connnunist Party
to keep your identity a secret ?
^Irs. Akersteix. To some extent I tliink that is true.
Mr. Wheeler. What was the primarv objective of the Moraan Hull
Club? .
Mrs. Akerstein. As I said, the club membership was composed
almost entirely of people who were active in mass organizations, so
that the objecti^•e of the club logically must have been to give guidance
to people in this kind of work, as such.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you employed by Federal Housing when you
joined the Communist Party?
Mrs. Akersteix. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. How long were you employed by Federal Housing
after you became a member?
Mrs. Akerstein. About 6 months.
iNlr. Wheeler. I believe you have testified that after you left Fed-
eral Housing you became an employee of the Independent Progressive
7026 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Party, or perhaps rather the Progressive Citizens of America. Would
you explain how you obtained that position ?
Mrs. Akerstein. The Progressive Citizens of America was organ-
ized at a number of organizing meetings, of which I was very active.
And the first big activity of the Progressive Citizens of America was
to stage a mass rally in San Diego, and I was asked if I would like
to accept temporary employment to organize such a rally. I did
accept this employment on a temporary basis, and following the rally
the executive committee of the Progressive Citizens of America decicTed
to maintain a permanent office, and I was employed as executive
secretary.
Mr. Wheeler. What was the main objective or purpose of the
Progressive Citizens of America?
Mrs. Akerstein. The Progressive Citizens of America was a politi-
cal action group organized nationally and in local communities. A
pressure group to work toward the election of candidates pledged to
at least a minimum program for social betterment. At the time of
the organization of the Progressive Citizens of America it was devoted
to the possibility of the candidacy of Henry Wallace, at that time the
possibility of his candidacy with the Democratic Party. As time
went on it proved to be true there was no possibility of his candidacy
within the Democratic Party.
Mr. Jackson. Mrs. Akerstein, to what extent, if any, was your entry
into the activities of the Progressive Citizens of America influenced or
directed by the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, I would say to very little extent, really. I
was yevy new in the Communist Party at this time and, as I expressed
before, I felt the desire for political action for the election of candi-
dates who w^ould represent labor and minority peoples, and I think
that I was interested in Progressive Citizens of America as an indi-
vidual, not because 1 was pushed in that direction.
Mr. Jackson. Well, did your activity in the Progressive Citizens
of America meet with the approval with those with whom you were
associated in the Communist Party?
Mr. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you recommended to the executive committee
of the Progressive Citizens of America when you acquired your job
with them?
Mrs. Akerstein. Not to my knowledge.
Mr. Wheeler. How many individuals were on the executive board
of the Progressive Citizens of America ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Fifteen to 20.
Mr. Wheeler. And who was chairman of the board?
Mrs. Akerstein. A. C. Rogers.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Rogers has been identified as
a member of the Communist Party in the previous hearings and, as far
as the rest of tlie membership of the board, I don't think it advisable
to go into it at this time.
Mr. Jackson. As I recall there was. Is it necessary to further iden-
tify him? It seems to me at the previous hearing there was a senior
and a junior by the same name.
Mr. Wheeler. Yes ; there was.
Mr. Jackson. I think the record should indicate
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7027
Mr. Wheeler. It is A. C. Rogers, Sr.
Mv. Jackson. That is, unless both men have been identified.
Mr. Wheeler, No ; his son has not.
Did the Progressive Citizens of America merge at a subsequent date
with the Independent Progressive Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes; it did.
Mr. Wheeler. What was the purpose of this merger?
Mrs, Akerstein. Well, as I said, when the Progressive Citizens of
Amei'ica was first org;inized it was interested in the candidacy of
Henry Wallace. When it developed that Wallace could not be named
through the Democratic Party there began to be a feeling that maybe
this was the time when there should be an attempt to form a new party,
and through such a party Henry Wallace could be nominated. The
various steps from one stage to another were taken to comply with the
legal requirements to establish a new party, and at about the same time
the Progressive Citizens of America held a national convention at
which Wallace appeared and announced that if his candidacy could be
effected only through the formation of a new party that he would be
interested in such a candidacy. It was voted at the national conven-
tion, as I recall, that the Progressive Citizens of America organiza-
tions in various communities would decide on a local level whether to
continue the organization as it then existed or whether they should
merge into the newly-formed party, which in this State was the Inde-
])endent Progressive Party. And following a petition campaign to
establish the Indeijendent Progressive Party in California the local
chapter of the Progressive Citizens of America did vote to merge into
the IPP.
Mr. Wheeler. And you automatically became an officer in the IPP ?
Mrs. Akerstein. The Independent Progressive Party employed me
immediately as county director.
INIr. Wheeler. Going back to the Morgan Hull Club of the Commu-
r.ist Party of which you were a member, were there any other members
of this club also employed by the Independent Progressive Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes; there were. Lloyd Hamlin was in charge
of the petition campaign to put the Independent Progressive Party on
the ballot during the primary campaign in 1948. Jeff Boehm was
employed for a short time by the Independent Progressive Party, and
Ernestine Gatewood was employed over a period of about 6 months.
Mr. Wheeler. And these persons were known to you as members of
the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes ; they were.
Mr. Jackson. Miss Gatewood is the person who appeared as a co-
operative witness in tlie previous hearings. Is that not the case ?
Mr. Wheeler. That is correct.
Mr. Doyle. May I ask the witness there, what then happened was
that the active members of the Communist Party became the active
leaders of the Independent Progressive Party in San Diego. Is that
correct ? For instance, you said you were active and Miss Gatewood
was known to you to be a Communist, and she became active as a
leader for 6 months ?
Mrs. Akerstein. It is true up to a point. I would want to make it
clear that there were many people in the Independent Progressive
Party, leaders, who were not Communists.
7028 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. DoTLE. But the office direction was under the control of the
Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. That is correct.
Mr. Jackson. Now, on that particuhir point of the Independent
Progressive Party, to what extent, if any, did the policies of the Inde-
pendent Progressive Party deviate or vary from those which you
became familiar with in the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. The Independent Progressive Party had a State
platform established by its State committee which established policy
for the local organizations, and policy was not set on a local level.
Mr. Jackson. To w]iat extent did the policy set at the State level de-
viate or vary from the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, I would say that it was
Mr. Jackson. The reason I ask that question, Mrs. Akerstein, is
that the witness Barbara Hartle in Seattle, Wash., testified before
the committee several months ago that there was no fundamental dif-
ference in the State of Washington as between the policy of the In-
dependent Progressive Party and the Communist Party, and in that
area the members of the Communist Party exercised practically
complete control over the formulation of policies and the implemen-
tation of policies in the Independent Progressive Party. I ask that
question only to see if the same situation existed in some degree in this
area.
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, I would say that the platform of the Inde-
pendent Progressive Party would have been considered a minimum
program by the Communist Party, that it did not go as far in any
direction, but that on a minimum basis there was similarity.
Mr. Jackson. But that members of the Communist Party were in
some instances in key policy positions?
Mrs. Akerstein. In some instances.
Mr. Wheeler. Mrs. Akerstein, was the operation of the Independ-
ent Progressive Party discussed in meetings of the Morgan Hull Club
of the Communist Party?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes ; it was.
Mr. Wheeler. What IPP matters were discussed in these meetings?
Mrs. Akerstein. The things that were discussed would be prob-
lems surrounding organization of clubs, the whole organizational
setup on a local level, organizational problems around candidates both
national, State, and local, and particular campaigns to implement the
work around such candidates.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you follow the suggestions in your work that
came out of the Morgan Hull Club of the Connnunist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you deviate at any time from any suggestion
or decision that was reached within the Morgan Hull Club of the Com-
munist Party?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes, I think that I did at times. There would be
discussions in the Communist Party club, but then the Independent
Progressive Party had many clubs and these clubs had delegates to
an executive committee, and there were fairly wide variances of opin-
ion among a diverse group of people.
Mr. Jackson. In the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. In the Independent Progressive Party.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7029
Mr. Jackson. In the Independent Progressive Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes. So that it wouldn't necessarily follow that
discussions in the Communist Party club would be carried out just
like this within the Independent Progressive Party.
Mr. Jackson. Did you find any considerable divergences of opinion
in the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Not in the club that I was in, which was mild.
Mr. Jackson. Were you ever yourself made the object of discipli-
nary action because of your failure to implement the decisions of the
Communist Party in your work in the Independent Progressive Party 'i
Mrs. Akerstein. No.
Mr. Jackson. Proceed, Mr. Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler. Did the Independent Progressive Party sponsor any
local candidates ?
Mrs. Akerstein. yes. We had a candidate for Congress and candi-
dates in two assembly districts in 1048.
Mr. Wheeler. And how were these candidates selected ?
Mrs. Akerstein. These candidates were selected bj- — there would
be^ — in the first place, the clubs and then the executive committee
established mininnnn local programs to which we felt candidates
should adhere. Around this program people would be suggested as
potential candidates, and a committee of the executive committee
would see these people, ask them their opinion on the various points of
the program, and in this fashion candidates would be arrived at.
Mr. Wheeler. To what degree did the Communist Party control
the selection of tlie local candidates appearing on the Independent
Progressive ballot ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I wouldn't say that the Communist Party con-
trolled the selection of candidates.
Mr. Jackson. Were any of the candidates selected known to you
to be members of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No.
Mr. Wheeler. According to the records of this committee. Dr.
Harry Steinmetz was the IPP candidate for Congress of the United
States. Do you have any knowledge as to how he was selected ^
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes, Dr. Steinmetz was selected in the way that I
just described. And as I recall I originally suggested the possibility
of his candidacy. This was a suggestion of mine, it was not suggested
by the Communist Party.
Mr. Doyle. At that time were vou a member of the Communist
Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes, I was.
Mr. Doyle. Active in its leadership ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No, I wasn't in the leadership of the Communist
Party.
Mr. Jackson. Where did you first make your proposal that Dr.
Steiiunetz be a candidate, to what group or what organization ?
Mrs. Akerstein. To the Independent Progressive Party. I don't
recall whether it was to this subcommittee or to the executive
committee.
Mr. Jackson. Had you at any time prior to this proposal discussed
this matter within the councils of the Conmiunist Party ?
7030 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mrs. Akerstein. Not prior to the proposal. I think tlifit the candi-
dacy was discussed subsequently, but at the time that I considered —
made this suggestion it had not been, to my knowledge.
Mr. Jackson. And after you did make tlie suggestion it was subse-
quently discussed within the party?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Jackson. What was the position of the party relative to the
candidacy of Dr. Steinmetz ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I don't think that there was any actual position.
I think that as I recall the only discussions that I specifically recall
was after his candidacy was sort of a f adeout.
Mr. Jackson, Well, let me paraphrase the question. Was there any
active opposition within the Communist Party to the candidacy of
Dr. Steinmetz, to the best of your own personal knowledge '?
Mrs. Akerstein. There may have been, but. I am not sure. I
can't
Mr. Jackson. You personally have no knowledge of any such indi-
vidual or organized opposition within the Communist Party to the
candidacy ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No.
Mr. Jackson. I think the record should also show that Dr. Stein-
metz apeared before the House Committee on Un-American Activi-
ties in Los Angeles I believe 2 years ago. He declined to answer ques-
tions having to do with his alleged activities in the Communist Party,
invoking the provisions of the fifth amendment. Proceed, Mr.
Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you at any time in San Diego hold any official
position with the Communist Party?
Mrs. Akerstein. No.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you remember, were you on any of the commit-
tees of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you a member of the San Diego County Com-
mittee of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No.
Mr. Wheeler. Did 5^ou at any time meet with any officials of the
Communist Party?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you identify the individuals you met with
and tlieir position in the Communist Party in the county of San
Diego ?
Mrs. Akerstein. When I was first a member of the Communist
Party, Enos Baker was the San Diego chairman, and I on occasion
met with him. Subsequently Bernadette Doyle was in San Diego,
and I frequently met with her. She attended meetings of the club
of which I was a member, and I met with her individually, too.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you meet with any other functionaries of the
Communist Party in San Diego?
Mrs. Akerstein. I think that on occasions I attended meetings at
which Nancy Lund was present, and she had some official capacity,
but T don't recall what it was.
Mr. Wheet.er. Do you recall the purpose of the meeting ?
Mrs. Akerstein, I don't have such specific memory.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7031
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall if you ever discussed the Independent
Progressive Party with the functionaries you have just mentioned?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. What was the purpose of discussing the Independent
Progressive Party with the heads of the Communist Party in San
Diego County?
Mrs. Akerstein. The same purpose that I have previously referred
to, in discussing the Independent Progressive Party within the club
of the Communist Party to which I belonged on occasion, the things to
be discussed, the problems of organization, of candidates, et cetera,
would be taken up with Miss Doyle.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you think the Independent Progressive Party in
San Diego County would have been organized without the efforts, the
advice of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. It would have been rather difficult and much
slower.
Mr. Wheeler. In your opinion to what degree or what credit do
you give to the Communist Party in organizing the IPP ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, there is no question but that the Communist
Party had as part of its program of activity a campaign to organize
the third party.
Mr. Wheeler. You mentioned a Mr. Hamlin was in charge of the
committee, a petition conniiittee. I assume tliis was to circulate peti-
tions to qualify the Independent Progressive Party for the ballot ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Eight.
Mr. Wheeler. It was under the direction of Mr. Hamlin ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall who circulated these petitions?
Mrs. Akerstein. The petitions were circulated by individuals,
members of the Independent Progressive Party, members of Pro-
gressive Citizens of Ajnerica, members of trade unions, members of
vehatever group we could find to cooperate. And the petitions were
circulated, as well, by individual members of the Communist Party.
Mr. Doyle. Mr. Chairman, at that point I notice — your answer —
you said there was no question that the Communist Party had as its
program the organization of the third party. I think that that is
almost your exact words in the answer. Now, in what area was your
knowledge of that? In other words, was that just a local part of
the Communist Party program, or did it extend statewide or nation-
wide, if you know ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I don't know. I was familiar with what hap-
pened in San Diego, I represented the Independent Progressive
Party on a statewide basis only in the sense of attending meetings
and reporting back.
Mr. Doyle. So that you knew that at least this extended to the
State of California, geographically, this purpose ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No, I can't say that I actually did, because I have
no identification of people whom I met at a statewide meeting.
Mr. Doyle. Is there any question in your mind as to whether or not
the Communist Party, as you knew it and as a member of it, was
deliberately infiltrating into the Independent Progi-essive Party, as
far as you knew ?
47718 — 54— pt. 11 3
7032 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, I would think, if you want an opinion,
that if the Communist Party in San Diego was interested in pro-
moting the establishment of the Independent Progressive Party then
this logically would have been true throughout the State, and to
whatever extent it took place here there would have been, as you
say, infiltration elsewhere.
Mr. DoTiiE. It is a case, Mr. Chairman, in which the Communist
Party deliberately infiltrates other political parties in order to gain
control if they can. The reason I asked you that question is because
we are aware, and the result of our hearings and other evidence, that
the Communist Party in America does deliberately infiltrate if it can.
In fact, we know it is doing the same thing right now in California
in both the political parties, it is trying to infiltrate both the Demo-
cratic and Republican leadership.
Mr. Jackson. Proceed, Mr. Wlieeler.
Mr, Wheeler. Mrs. Akerstein, getting back to the Morgan Hull
Club of the Communist Party, I believe you identified Lloyd Hamlin
as a member, Blanche O'Brien as a member, Jeff Boehm, B-o-e-h-m,
as a member, and Mrs. Gibson as a member ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Right.
Mr. Wheeler. What was Mr. Boehm's occupation ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Mr. Boehm was a writer who had at one time been
employed at the San Diego Journal.
Mr. Wheeler. And what was the occupation of Mrs. Gibson?
Mrs. Akerstein. I believe she was a housewife.
Mr. Wheeler. Who else were members of this group that you
recall?
Mrs. Akerstein. Mrs. O'Brien's husband, Jack O'Brien. They
were in the group originally, but they left San Diego shortly after.
Mr. Wheeler. And what was Mr. O'Brien's occupation?
Mrs. Akerstein. I think he was a physicist.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you know where he was employed ?
Mrs, Akerstein. At that time he was employed at Ryan Aircraft.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall any of the other members ?
Mrs. Akerstein. As I recall, Ray Morkowski was a member of
that group.
Mr, Wheeler. Would you spell that name, please ?
Mrs. Akerstein. M-o-r-k-o-w-s-k-i,
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Wheeler, I would like to caution the witness at
this point in the matter of identities. If you have a personal knowl-
edge that the individual or any individuals subsequently left the party
I think it would he helpful if you would state that for the record.
Mrs. Akerstein. I had veiy little knowledge of any of these indi-
viduals, now.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you further identify Mr. Morkowski ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Mr. Morkowski at that time was chairman of the
CIO Council in San Diego. He was employed at Ryan Aircraft.
Mr. Wheeler. Was Wilma Crittenden, C-r-i-t-t-e-n-d-e-n, a mem-
ber of this unit of the Communist Party ?
Mr, Akerstein, Yes, she was,
Mr. Wheeler. And how was she employed ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Slie was employed at the — I think it was the San
Diego Union, one of the newspapers.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7033
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, for the record I would like to state
that Mr. Jack O'Brien is no longer in the aircraft industry, nor is
Mr. Kay Morkowski.
From the employment description that you gave of these individuals
it indicates that this may have been a select group of the Conmiunist
Party.
Mrs. Akerstein. I am not sure I know what you mean by select.
Mr. Wheeler. You mentioned the security regulations. I mean,
it is evident in the employment of these individuals that the Commu-
nist Party was endeavoring to protect them or protect their member-
ship from the public?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes, I think that was true.
Mr. Wheeler. During the time you were a member of the Commu-
nist Party here did you meet any other individual here in San Diego
County as a member of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I occasionally met people. It is very- difficult to
be sure as to membership in the Communist Party.
Mr. Wheeler. Can you describe the occasions or the purposes that
you met with these individuals ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, in my work as an organizer for the PCA and
the IPP, as I said, I would meet with Bernadette Doyle, particularly,
and sometimes there would be other people involved who would be
discussing particular problems concerned with the work that I was
doing.
Mr. Wheeler. Could this be termed as a fraction meeting of mem-
bers of the Independent Progressive Party i
Mrs. Akerstein. No, I wouldn't say so.
Mr. Wheeler. You are not clear in your own mind whether or not
these were actual Communist Party meetings ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No, I am really not, and that is why I am so
hesitant because it is very difficult to say this person is or this person
is not, or was or was not.
Mr. Jackson. The committee does not want you to make such inden-
tifications ; however, I think in those instances it might be well for the
investigating staff to pursue the matter further in the nature of
executive testimony. Proceed, Mr. Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler. Yes, sir. Do you recall the approximate date when
Bernadette Doyle came to San Diego County as county organizer ?
Mi-s. Akerstein. I am not sure. I think it must have been in the
fall of 1947.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you loiow the reasons why she was assigned to
San Diego County?
Mrs. Akerstein. This I am not sure about, either. My impression
is that the organization of the Communist Party in San Diego County
had been rather loose and disorganized, and I have sort of a memory
that Miss Doyle had been assigned here earlier and had been ill, and
then she came — wlienever it was, in 1947 — probably to renew oi'gan-
ization and tighten things up and
Mr. Wheeler. Did you notice
Mrs. Akerstein. Give more leadership.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you notice any change in the structural setup of
the Communist Party after her arrival?
Mrs. Akerstein. I think that there was more regard for security,
more discipline, more attention to detail.
7034 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Wheeler. To your knowledge was anyone expelled from the
Communist Party shortly after her arrival in San Diego ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes, there were people expelled. I guess it must
have been shortly after her arrival, I don't recall.
Mr. Wpieeler. Do you know the reasons why they were expelled?
Mrs. Akerstein. There were people expelled who were accused of
factionalism in the party.
Mr. Wheeler. What do you mean by factionalism ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Of having ideas that were contrary to aecisions
Inade by the Communist Party as a whole, and attempting to carry
out these beliefs as individuals or within what other organizations
they were members, in contradiction to the expressed policy of the
Communist Party.
Mr. Wheeler. Bernadette Doyle then didn't permit deviation or
self-expression from the Communist Party line at that time ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I thinlv no leader of the Communist Party wants
deviation.
Mr. Wheeler. May we have a recess, Mr. Chairman ?
Mr. Jackson. Yes. At this time we will stand in recess for 10
minutes.
(A brief recess was taken.)
Mr. Jackson. The meeting will be in order. Proceed, Mr. Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler. Mrs. Akerstein, I believe you have testified that
your employment was terminated with the Independent Progressive
Party in San Diego in the latter part of 1948 ?
Mi^. Akerstein. That is right.
Mr. Wheeler. Why did you leave the Independent Progressive
Party in San Diego?
Mrs. Akerstein. After the 1948 campaign we didn't have much
money in the Independent Progressive Party, and it wasn't practical
to continue my employment.
Mr. Wheeler. Was the Independent Progressive Party considered
a success in San Diego?
Mrs. Akerstein. We didn't elect any candidates.
Mr. Wheeler. After you moved to San Francisco in the latter part
of 1948 did you renew your Communist Party membership, or rather,
were you transferred to San Francisco ?
Mi*s. Akerstein. I was transferred.
Mr. Wheeler. And did you become a member of a club in San
Francisco ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes; I was.
Mr. Jackson. On that point, Mr. Wheeler, I think it would be
interesting to know the mechanics of the transfer, how it was accom-
plished, what your instructions were.
Mrs. Akerstein. I think that it was kind of haphazard in my case.
I saw Bernadette Doyle here before I went to San Francisco, and she
told me to go and see someone at the Communist Party office up there
whose first name was Louise — and I do not remember her last name —
and I did; and a short time afterward someone came to me and said,
you know, had heard that I was in town and assigned me to a club.
There were no mechanics.
Mr. Jackson. What credentials
Mrs. Akerstein. Just my face.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7035
Mr. Jackson. Nothing further was required in San Francisco^
further identification'?
Mrs. Akerstein. No. I have heard there were other mechanics, but
thev didn't apply in my case personally.
Mr. Jackson. 'I think that the record should show that some highly
interesting devices were used in transfers from one place to another.
The witness, Charles David Blodgett, who appeared in San Francisco
was given one-half of a dollar bill — the party must have been in better
financial condition than the Independent Progressive Party— he was
given one-half of a dollar bill to match up, in the best cloak-and-dagger
style. He was then identified as a member of the Communist Party.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you advise the committee of the unit you were
in, the type of units, their location, during the period of time from the
end of 1948 until you terminated your membership in the Communist
Party?
Mrs. Akerstein. When I went to San Francisco I was assigned to
a club of the Communist Party in the neighborhood in which I lived,
and I was there for a few months and
Mr. Wheeler. What neighborhood was that?
Mrs. Akerstein. This was in the Fillmore area of San Francisco.
Mr. Wheeler, Was it called the Fillmore Club?
Mrs. Akerstein. No; I don't think so. I don't really remember
the name of the particular club. Then I subsequently lived in Oak-
land for a time and worked in the cannery, and was assigned to a
club that was composed of cannery workers in Oakland. When I
moved back to San Francisco, which was in the beginning of 1950,
I was not transferred. It had been simple from San Diego to San
Francisco, but it became very complicated across the bay, and was
not reassigned to a club in San Francisco during that period.
Mr. Jackson. What was the date of that, approximately ?
Mrs. Akerstein. In January of 1950.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, with the permission of the Chair,
I suggest that we take the names of the individuals she met as Com-
munists in San Francisco in executive session at a later time.
Mr. Jackson. Very well.
Mr. Wheeler. Thank you. What were the circumstances when
you left the Communist Party, how did you leave?
Mrs. Akerstein. In the summer of 1950 I was dropped by the
Communist Party. I was called in by a couple of individuals and
told that I was being dropped. As I said, I had not been retrans-
ferred back into San Francisco, and I attended no more than 1 or 2
meetings during that entire year of any kind. I, at the time, was
very much disturbed by this, I didn't understand the reasons, I was
not given any logical reasons. And some little time later I asked for
a hearing which I was told would be done. The hearing was not
held for several months, I think it was a period of at least 6 months
that went by. And when the hearing was held I asked what the
specific charges were, what the reasons were, and received no answers.
I felt at the time, and feel very strongly, that there was an extreme
of disciplinary action of causing people to adhere to a straight line,
with not only no deviation, but no explanation. That to me repre-
sented the kind of totalitarianism that the Commmiist Party professed
to be against.
7036 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Jackson. Well, had this fact not impressed itself upon you
previously ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Sometime previous. However, I would like to
say that I worked hard in the Independent Progressive Party, I be-
lieved in it. And you get kind of swept away, you don't have time, or
maybe I didn't take time to stop and think too much about individual
actions as things were happening. Everybody's second guess is bet-
ter than their first guess, and there were things in San Francisco
in the party that I didn't like, methods I was in disagreement with,
but it seemed very difficult to express disagreement. And as I say,
when I was dropped and the whole thing was handled in the way that
it was — and I saw this with other people, too — I felt that it was the
kind of inquisition that just was not in keeping with the professed
beliefs — and with the things that I believed, I believed then, I believe
now.
Mr. Jackson. From your efforts to seek reinstatement it would
seem to indicate that you were philosophically in accord with the
Communist Party.
Mrs. Akerstein. I think that is the way it would seem. I also
think, in retrospect, that there was a big factor of pride involved. I,
as I say, had worked very hard, and the idea of being kicked out of
something to which you have devoted so much in time and in thought
and in work was very difficult for me to face up to, there was an
emotional, personal reaction, and it took me some time to become
objective about it rather than emotional. Following the hearing I
was told that I could apply for further hearing, which I did not.
Mr. Jackson. My questions in this regard, I would like to make
clear, are not intended to force you into any recantation or repudia-
tion of any sincere belief you hold. But I believe it is important for
the committee and the people to know not what takes people into the
party but what brings them out, the final dissolution, in what manner
and method the party fails to meet the goals and the aspirations of
people who do enter the party, and that is why I pursue this particular
line at this time.
Mr. Wheeler. Mrs. Akerstein, have you ever appeared before a
committee prior to your appearance here today ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes, I was subpenaed by the Tenney committee in
San Diego in 1948.
Mr. Wheeler. And what position did you take at that time ? How
did you respond in answering questions ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I didn't answer the questions.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you avail yourself of the fifth amendment?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes, I did.
Mr. Wheeler. What has caused the change of your position ?
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Wheeler, before we proceed to that I should
like to ask several questions relative to the previous appearance.
Were you advised by the party to avail yourself of the fifth amend-
ment ?
Mrs. Akerstein. In 1948?
Mr. Jackson. Yes.
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Jackson. Was the same advice given by the party to all of the
other members of the party who were subpenaed on that occasion?
Mrs. Akerstein. I don't know personally.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7037
Mr. Jackson. But in your own instance you were advised to avail
yourself of the amendment?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Jackson. Thank you. Proceed, Mr. Wlieeler.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you feel that you were sincere in pleading the
fifth amendment, if you had cooperated would you have incriminated
yourself?
Mrs. Akerstein. I am not really sure that I understand the ques-
tion. I feel that I was sincere. It is hard to determine to what extent
you act on your own belief and to what extent you are influenced. I
haven't been consciously insincere either then or now.
]Mr. Jackson. On that occasion were you advised that your coop-
eration might lead to criminal prosecution ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No; I don't recall that I was.
Mr. Jackson. Of course, you understand that in order to take the
provisions of the fifth amendment in good faith you must stand in
very real fear of being prosecuted in court ; otherwise, it is an improper
use of the amendment, as I understand it. But I wondered whether
or not you were advised that to cooperate with the committee would
lay you open to criminal prosecution at a subsequent date, or might djo
so. As I understand your answer you were not so advised ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, as I recall, but I am not being purposely
vague. I have a rather dim
Mr. Jackson. I understand .
Mr. Doyle. May I supplement the chairman's question this way:
Do you remember the reason given you by the Conununist Party law-
yer or leaders that you should plead the fifth amendment? What
reason did they give you as being a justification, in your own mind,
for pleading it ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, as I recall, it is true that I was advised to
use the fifth amendment. It is also true that this was a principle of
the Independent Progressive Party, that we felt strongly about the
rights of political expression, political freedom, and the right to
inquire, and it is hard for me to say to what extent I was told to plead
this for certain legal reasons and to what extent it was a personal, emo-
tional reaction, and by people who were in the I. P. P. and who weren't
Communists but Avho felt the same way I did.
Mr. Doyle. All right, counsel.
Mr. Wheeler. You stated that you were advised by the Communist
Party to avail yourself of the fifth amendment. Would it go as far
as being instructed to plead the fifth amendment ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I imagine that it w^ould have been if it had been
necessary.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you have any fear that you would be indicted
and taken to court if you cooperated with the committee and admitted
Communist Party membership ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes; I did.
Mr. Wheeler. You did at that time. Getting back to the question
I asked some time ago, why have you changed your position ? Today
you have been very frank and sincere and honest and answered all
questions, I believe, in good faith. What has changed your position
from 1948 to today?
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, I think from the way I have answered the
questions that it must be obvious that the whole attitude has changed.
7038 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
It seemed to me in 1948 — to me personally — that no one had the right
or the reason to inquire into my political beliefs. I also feel that there
is — I don't know what the explanation is, really, whether it is a differ-
ence in me, but there seems to be much difference in attitude and a
way of going about it on the part of this committee as against the
Tenney committee. Maj^be a different reason for investigating; I
don't know.
Mr. Jackson. Mrs. Akerstein, in light of your change in attitude
personally toward the Commmiist Party, and in light of the action
of your Congress in the past session in outlawing the Communist
Party as a conspiracy, do you now feel that a committee of the Con-
gress has a right to inquire into the area of political belief when that
political belief is associated with the Communist Party?
Mrs. Akerstein. I certainly feel that there is a tremendous differ-
ence in inquiring into and investigating something that is publicly
known and acknowledged to be illegal, and something which is recog-
nized as a legal instrument. And it is again my personal opinion that
subversion shoidd be defined, that if it is considered by the Govern-
ment that any organization is illegal then it should be known to be
illegal, it should be — there should be no possibility of thinking one
thing and having something else happen.
Mr. Jackson. In retrospect don't you believe that the purposes and
aims and goals and aspirations of the Communist Party are exactly
the same today, even following this official designation by the Con-
gress, as it was 10 years ago, 20 years ago, that the conspiratorial na-
ture and activities of the Communist Party have not been changed by
the designation of a conspiracy ? Perhaps I don't make myself clear.
It is tme that the committees of the Congress and other agencies have
been investigating the Communist Party or the Communist conspiracy
for many years. It was because of those investigations, it was because
of the disclosure publicly to the American people of the nature of
those activities that caused the Congress to take the action it did in
declaring the party illegal and in outlawing it, so I think the record
should show that those committee investigations which led to outlaw-
ing of the party, although repugnant to some, were nevertheless the
physical agencies which brought about the action by the Congress. I
say that in defense of the investigations. I merely make that as an
observation, not a question.
I would like to ask you at this time, lest I forget it later on, whether
or not there were any inducements made, any promises made to you
in return for your appearance before the committee today ?
Mrs. Akerstein. No; I haven't been promised anything.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, I have no further questions. I would
like to ask the witness if she has anything she would like to add for the
record,
Mrs. Akerstein. I don't believe so.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. Yes, I have a few. Apropos, Mrs. Akerstein, of your
statement that you felt that subversive should be defined, of course
we have defined it. We have tried to define it openly and publicly
many, many times, both in our printed literature and in our state-
ments over radio and otherwise. But because you again stated this
morning that subversive should be defined, Mr. Chairman, I think it
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7039
appropriate that we call attention to the group here that on September
19, as of September 19, there is a booklet which will be issued by our
committee entitled "This is Your House Committee on Un-American
Activities," and this is the only copy of this book within this room.
Within a few weeks they will be available, as long as the supply lasts,
to Members of Congress and to our committee in Washington, But
this lists some hundred questions and answers to these questions. And
question 3 I want to read, it is very brief :
What is un-American or subversive activity? Ajiswer: That activity which
attaclis the principle of a form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution
is un-American and subversive by seeking to overthrow by force and violence
in violation of established law.
Now, may I just urge again, JNIr, Chairman, the fact that this com-
mittee is not charged and does not intentionally go into the question
of a person's beliefs, your personal beliefs are not what Congress is
interested in, unless they are subversive as defined here. In other
words, in going to the forceful overthrow of our constitutional form
of government. But just in that connection, because I want to ask
you a couple of questions. Public Law 601, under which this committee
is here again today, charges this subcommittee with investigating sub-
versive and un-American activities as defined by question 3 which I
just read, and answer,
* * * it is instigated in foreign countries or domestically and which attacks
the principal form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution.
Then also this committee is charged with questioning you or any
other witness — or any other evidence — on all questions relating to
the subject matter of subversive activities which would aid Congrear
in any legislation. That is one reason we are here again this morning.
We are interested to see if you and the other witnesses can help us,
as a committee of Congress, to better know how to legislate in Wash-
ington to meet tlie Communist subversive conspiracy,
I made notes as you were testifying, I think you said substantially,
"I don't believe the improved social conditions can be achieved through
the Communist Party," Do you remember volunteering that state-
ment?
Mrs, Akerstein. Yes,
Mr, Doyle, Now, remembering your statement about your interest
in improved social conditions, when did you come to the conclusion
that the Communist Party could not improve the social conditions as
you felt they sliould be improved ? You say you went into the party
jbecause you thought perhaps it was the channel to carry out your ideal-
ism politically, as I understand it. Now, when did you come to the
conclusion that the Communist Party was not the channel through
which you could achieve your political activity or political idealism ?
How long before you were expelled ?
Mrs. Akerstein, Well, I think that I started having doubts about
certain policies and methods, oh, in 1949, maybe I expressed disagree-
ment on occasion. The way I feel today, however, has been arrived
at over a long period of time, and I can't say at this point I decided,
you know ; you build your ideas in whatever direction,
Mr, Doyle, Well, may I ask you this question, because we are al-
ways anxious to get help of any patriotic, sincere citizen : Have you
47718— 54— pt. 11 4
7040 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
any suggestion to us, as a committee of your Congress, as to what we
might consider as strengthening legislatively, in the field of legisla-
tion at the national level ? What should be consider seriously in legis-
lation, if you have any suggestion, because that is one reason we are
here; is to get evidence to help us do a better legislative job in meeting
the Communist conspiracy. Have you any suggestion for us ?
Mrs. Akerstein. I am afraid I haven't. Congressman. I would
have to think more seriously than I have in that direction.
Mr. Doyle. Well, I am giving you a very sincere and emphatic
invitation to think clearly and promptly on that subject and then pass
on to us, if you will, your considered opinion. You have had experi-
ence that should be very valuable to your country and we, as your
Congressmen — I am sure Mr. Jackson joins me in this — Mr. Jackson
and I ask you to give us in writing in the next several weeks, if you
would, your considered opinion in this field of legislation.
Now, I noticed also you stated that in this group that you were in, 6
or 10 people in the Communist cell here are anxious to keep it secret
in order to not be charged with dominating community groups. I
noticed you used the term "dominating community groups." I take
it, therefore, that you had in mind that you and the other members
in that cell were such leaders in the community that you were in
positions to dominate community groups. Is that correct?
Mrs. Akerstein. I don't think that is exactly what I was thinking,
Mr. DoTLE. But that is what you said, do you remember ? I remem-
ber you using the term ''dominating," and that is why I wondered if
there was an effort on the part of the cell to secretly try to dominate
other groups but to keep that domination secret as far as the Com-
munist Party was concerned?
Mrs. Akerstein. Well, yes; to some extent. This was true that
maybe there was an attempt to dominate, or maybe just if it had been
publicly known that a number of people in a particular organization
were Communists there could have been cliarges of domination, with
or without foundation.
Mr. Doyle. Well, I noticed your last couple of observations, in.
answer to Chairman Jackson's questions, you stated that you had
observed that this committee — I take it you refer to this committee
that is back here today, and the House Un-American Activities Com-
mittee as a whole — you stated that you noticed it "operated differ-
ently." Now, apparently you came to feel that the functioning of your
House committee or subcommittee, which is here this morning, was
really acting constructively and in the best interests of our country,
perhaps, was giving the witnesses a fair hearing and is anxious to get
appropriate information. Is that true?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes, sir ; that is true.
Mr. Doyle. Have you any suggestion, then, as to how this com-
mittee should function differently than we are? We are anxious to
be truly representative of the best procedure; democratic procedure;
American procedure. Have you any suggestion ? You are back here
this morning changing your position entirely — manifestly you are
cooperating with this committee. Now, why do you do that? I
think it would lielp your San Diego neighbors to have a little more
elaboration on that.
Mrs. Akerstein. Well
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7041
Mr. Doyle. When I say "San Diego neighbors," I, of course, mean
all the people in the State. I think you are from Los Angeles now
instead, of this area.
Mrs. Akersteix. I thought I had tried to answer that question. I
guess I don't know quite how to elaborate further. I feel that times
have changed and I have changed, too. I also feel one thing on the
subject of the conmiittee. I don't think I am too different from the
average person in lumping all committees together, and I have seen
today what, as you said, appears to be a desire to be constructive, to
work in the best possible fashion, and this strikes me as being some-
what different from the aims as I saw them of this other committee
that I had experience with.
Mr. DoTiJ3. Well, may I ask you to elaborate briefly, at least, on —
you say times have changed. What do you have in mind by that?
Mrs. Akersteix. Well, very specifically I have in mind the fact
that I think joining the Communist Party when it is a legal political
party, recognized as such, and joining or being in it when it has been
termed illegal is quite a major difference. And one's attitude must
be affected.
Mr. Doyle. I think there is one more question. Before I ask that
question, Mr. Chaimian, I think it might be appropriate for me to
call attention to the fact that today here Mr. Jackson and I are on
opposite sides of the political aisle in Congress, but it doesn't make
any difference to us. We have this job to do here, as you see.
Now, I noticed you used the word when you referred to the hearing
which you asked for, you said it was "totalitarian," the very thing that
the Communist Party professed to be against. Then you described
that hearing and the procedures as an "inquisition." Now, in any
man's language tliat is a pretty strong word, and yet you used it. Do
you remember doing so ?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes ; I remember doing so.
Mr. Doyle. Well, is the procedure within the Communist Party as
you meant it one of inquisition, was it in your case? If so, how did.
it function so that you felt justified in calling it an "inquisition" ?
Mrs. Akersteix. Well, I thiiak my vocabulary was somewhat exag-
gerated maybe, but what I meant was when this hearing was held I
was not told specific charges, I was not told who the people were who
made them, although I asked. I was given no opportunity to admit
or deny, it was just, you know, you did this, this, this, and this, and.
you are through. And it had seemed to me from what I had believed,
or had wanted to believe up until that time, that if there must be
disciplinary action within the Communist Party it should at least be
conducted in a fair way with everyone involved given a chance to
express themselves and. to know what was being charged, and to defend
themselves. And this did not prove to be true.
Mr. Doyle. In other words, I take it from your answer that the
same thing that we have heard in hundreds of other cases, there is
totalitarianism and control in the Communist Party of America, and
you suffered it without even being given a bill of particulars or a bill
of complaints with what you were charged?
Mrs. Akersteix. That was my experience.
Mr. Doyle. Then you had no chance to defend yourself by testi-
mony or with witnesses ?
7042 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mrs. Akerstein. That is right.
Mr. Doyle. That is why you called it an "inquisition." I think that
is all, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you, of course, on my behalf
as a member of the committee. I notice you didn't bring a lawyer;
I am a lawyer and I always feel a lawyer is a valuable person if he
acts ethically and patriotically, so I do notice you didn't feel the need
of having legal counsel with you,
Mr. Jagkson. Mrs. Akerstein, are you here under compulsion of
subpena, or are you here voluntarily?
Mrs. Akerstein. I was subpenaed.
Mr. Jackson, I should point out one thing, and I certainly don't
want it to be interi^reted in any way as a threat or warning, but rather
in the nature of a friendly reminder, that you are under the compulsion
of a very binding oath in your testimony. And I should like to ask
you that if under the compulsion of that oath you have told — you have
given the committee all of the information in your possession upon
which you have been questioned and the identity of all of the indi-
viduals whom you personally knew to be members of the Communist
Party during the period of your own membership ? Let me preface
this by saying the reason I am asking this question as to laying such
stress upon your oath, that it has unfortunately developed in cases in
the past that witnesses acting out of a mistaken sense of loyalty or for
some other reason have failed to disclose their close and intimate
associations wdth others who were very well laiown to them to be mem-
bers of the Communist Party. That, of course, is a serious matter,
and I should like to know positively and afhrmatively that you have
given to tlie committee or to Mr. Wheeler in executive hearing the
names of all such persons, without exception?
Mrs, Akerstein. I have not deliberately withheld anything. I can-
not say
Mr, Jackson, But you were not attempting to defend any person
who is known to you or was known to you to be a member of the
Coimnunist Party?
Mrs. Akerstein. No, I am not,
Mr. Jackson. The subconmiittee and the full committee and the
House of Representatives under the authority under which we ox)erate
is very happy to have had your cooperative testimony. It is testi-
mony of this sort, not only in San Diego but elsewhere throughout the
Nation, that has made possible for the American people, probably
more so than the people in the case of any other country in the world,
to have a considerable knowledge of the Communist Party and its
operations. That information does not accrue to the committee or
to the Congress through the recalcitrance of those who refuse to co-
operate. For that reason, and I am sure that Mr. Doyle joins with
me, I want to express to you the thanks of the committee, and to
express the hope that your friends, your business associates, those by
whom you are employed will understand that you have rendered a con-
siderable service in giving your testimony here today and will judge
their future associations with you on the basis of that cooperation with
the American Congress.
Do you have anything further, Mr. Wheeler ?
Mr. Wheeler. Just one matter. Is the House Committee on Un-
American Activities the first Government agency that you have talked
to or cooperated with?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IX THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7043
Mrs. Akerstein". Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Sliould you be contacted in the future by other
agencies of the Government will you cooperate fully with them?
Mrs. Akerstein. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. I have no further questions.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused. Call your next witness. Mr.
Wheeler.
^Ir. Wheeler. Mr. Obed Eosen.
Mr. Jackson. Will you raise j'Our right hand and be sworn, sir?
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee that you will tell the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth, so help j^ou God ?
Mr. Rosen. I do.
Mr. Jackson. Be seated, please.
Mr. Wheeler. Will you state your full name ?
TESTIMONY OF OBED ALEXANDER (WHITEY) EOSEN, ACCOM-
PANIED BY HIS COUNSEL, JOHN W. POETER
]SIr. Rosen. Obed Alexander Rosen.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you also known among your associates as Wliitey
Rosen ?
Mr. Rosen. That is a nickname.
Mr. Wheeler. And when and where were you born ?
IMr. Rosen. December 12, 1917, Chicago, 111.
Mr. Wheeler. And where do you presently reside ?
Mr. Rosen. In Pacific Beach.
Mr. Wheeler. I notice you are represented by an attorney. Would
the attorney identify himself for the record, please?
Mr. PtRTER. John W. Porter, 112 West Ninth Street, Los Angeles.
Mr. Wheeler. And what is your educational background, Mr.
Rosen ?
Mr. Rosen. High school graduate and 3 years of college.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you graduate from high school in San Diego?
Mr. Rosen. No, in Marinette, Wis.
Mr, Wheeler. And what college did you attend ?
]\Ir. Rosen. Northwestern and U. C. L. A,
Mr. Wheeler. And when did you complete your education at
U. C. L.A.?
Mr. Rosen. Well, I left there to go into — well, the war started.
Mr. Wheeler. You have served in the Armed Forces ?
Mr. Rosen. The Air Force, as a flying cadet before the war, before
Pearl Harbor,
Mr. Wheeler. Well, what was the period of your military service?
Mr. Rosen. Very short, 2 months. I received an honorable dis-
charge.
Mr. Wheeij:r. Thank you. And what has your employment back-
ground been ?
Mr. Rosen. An aircraft worker.
IMr. Wheeler. Let's say since you were discharged from the Army,
hoAv have you been employed ?
]\Ir. Rosen. In aircraft.
Mr. Wheeler. By what aircraft company?
Mr. Rosen. Ryan Aeronautical.
7044 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. "Wheeler. "What approximate date did you become employed by
Eyan?
Mr. EosEN. From August 27, 1941, until March 2, 1954.
Mr. Wheeler. What type of work did you do for Eyan Aircraft?
Mr. Eosen. I was an inspector.
Mr. Wheeler. "V^^iat type of work did you inspect ? You must have
been employed by a certain branch in Eyan Aircraft.
Mr. Eosen. Metal products division.
Mr. Wheeler. Metal products division. Have you ever known a
person by the name of Mildred Berman ?
Mr. Eosen. Well, at this time I invoke the privilege of the first
and the fifth amendments to the Constitution not to be a witness
against myself, and I refuse to answer that question and subsequent
questions which attempt to police my thoughts and conscience.
Mr. Wheeler. Our infonnation, or rather, the investigation con-
ducted here in San Diego discloses that in June 1943 you made appli-
cation for Communist Party membership. Is that correct?
Mr. EosEN. I must reply with the same statement.
Mr. Wheeler. Also, that you were assigned to the Liberator branch
of the bay section of the Communist Party in San Diego County ?
Mr. Eosen. Same answer.
Mr. Jackson. For the same reason ?
Mr. EosEN. That is correct.
Mr. Wheeler. Also, that you recruited Eay Morkowski in the Com-
munist Party. Do you know Mr. Morkowski?
Mr. EosEN. Same answer as previous.
Mr. Wheeler. For what reason were you dismissed from Eyan
Aircraft ?
Mr. Eosen. Again I have to invoke the first and fifth amendments.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you receive any
Mr. Eosen. And I do both.
Mr. Jackson. And decline to answer the question ?
Mr. Eosen. Yes, sir ; on the same grounds.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you receive any type of communications from
Eyan Aircraft in regard to your dismissal ?
Mr. Eosen. Same answer.
Mr. Wheeler. A¥ere you not advised that you were released be-
cause "The employee does not meet security regulations"?
Mr. Eosen. Same answer.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you not afforded a hearing ?
Mr. Eosen. Same answer.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, the witness here, of course, was em-
ployed in the aircraft industry for a long period of time. I had hoped
that he would coo])erate with the committee and give what information
he had concerning infiltration into that industry. However, because
of his attitude, I liave no further questions.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle ?
Mr. DoYi.E. No questions.
Mr. Jackson. Are you now a member of the Commiuiist Party ?
Mr. EosEN. Again I must use the privilege, and invoke it, of the
first and fifth amendments, I decline to answer that. I resent the
iittem])t to police my thoughts.
Mr. Jackson. No one is interested in attempting to police j'our
tliounhts. We are interested in whether or not there was a concen-
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7045
trated effort to infiltrate a very important defense activity in this area.
Do you have any questions, Mr. Doyle ?
Mr. Doyle. Yes. Mr. Rosen, in my membership on this committee
I am also a member of the Armed Services Committee of Congress.
Perhaps, therefore, I am quite aware of the importance of the aircraft
industry in our national defense. I might state that recently the
committee was in Michigan. There we had uncontroverted evidence
produced that the American Communist Party had deliberately tried
to colonize the automobile industry in Michigan by deliberately send-
ing from New York headquarters, and otherwise, known Communists ;
even some of them college graduates, civil engineers, young civil engi-
neers under phony names, assumed names, fictitious names. And these
Communists of the American Connnunist Party, when they made their
application for employment in the automobile industry of IVIichigan,
signed phony names. They concealed the fact that they were civil
engineers, and they took menial employment. Instead of taking em-
ployment or asking employment as engineers or high-class employees,
they took employment on the assembly line where they could sabotage
in case of difficulties in the world, they could sabotage and be the
instruments of sabotage of critical machinery.
Now, I relate that fact because I want to save you, sir, that the
aircraft industry is just as critical, perhaps more so in our national
defense, as is the automobile industry. xVnd we wouldn't be surprised
at all if the American Communist Party wasn't doing the same thing
in the American aircraft industry. I want to say to you that you have
a right, of course, to stand on your constitutional privilege. I honor
a man that stands on it in good faith, especially when he is so advised
by worthy counsel. But you were in the room a minute ago and heard
this lady come back and help us, you see, call the American Communist
Party in California where you and I live an "inquisition." I just want
to say to you that if you have been a member of the Communist Party,
or if you are now, I hope sometime you will have a change of heart
to the point where you will put your Nation's welfare ahead of your
own when it comes to the Communist conspiracy. Mr. Wheeler
wouldn't have had you subpenaed for this morning unless we had
good reason to believe that you knew quite a little about the Com-
munist conspiracy in California. You are in a critical industry. My
boy was a flier, when he was alive, in the Air Force, and he gave his
life in the Air Force. But he didn't give his life in the uniform of
an Air Force lieutenant in order that an inquisitional Communist
conspiracy could prosper in the aircraft industry, of which he was
flying a product.
Now, if you have been in the Communist conspiracy or are in it now,
for God's sake get out. I don't hesitate to talk with you that way
even in the presence of your counsel, because I am a lawyer, too. That
is all, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Do you have any further questions, Mr. Wheeler?
Mr. Wheeler. No, sir.
Mr. Jackson. Is there any reason why the witness should not be
excused ?
Mr. Wheeler. No.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further attendance under
this subpena.
7046 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Do you desire to call another witness before lunch ?
Mr. Wheeler. Yes, sir. Vincent Acanf ora.
TESTIMONY OF VINCENT WILLIAM ACANFORA, ACCOMPANIED BY
HIS COUNSEL, JOHN W. PORTER
Mr. Jackson. Eaise your right hand, please.
Do you solemnly swear the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee will be the truth, the whoie truth and nothing but
the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. AcANFORA. I do.
Mr. Wheeler. Will you state your full name, please ?
Mr. AcANFORA. Vincent William Acanfora.
Mr. Wheeler. I see you are likewise represented by counsel. Will
counsel identify himself for the record ?
Mr. Porter. John W. Porter, 112 West Ninth Street, Los Angeles.
Mr. Wheeler. You are appearing before the committee in response
to a subpena served upon you ?
Mr. Acanfora. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wheeler. Will you advise the committee of your educational
background, please?
Mr. Acanfora. About 1 year of high school.
Mr. Wheeler. In what city was that?
Mv. Acanfora. New York City.
Mr. Wheeler. And when and where were you born ?
Mr. Acanfora. October 28, 1913, New Haven, Conn.
Mr.. Wheeler. What is your occupational background?
Mr. Acanfora. My occupational background, sir?
Mr. Wheeler. Yes ; please.
Mr. Acanfora. I am a cook at present.
Mr. Wheeler. Yes; I know. How have you been occupied since
the year 1940 ?
Mr. Acanfora. Well, I have had a very extensive employment rec-
ord and my memory is rather faulty. I can give you it rather vaguely.
I have been working in restaurants; I have worked in various other
industries. And perhaps if you could make the question more specific
I may be able to answer it.
Mr. Wheeler. When did you leave the employment of Kolir Air-
craft?
Mr. Acanfora. In February of 1954.
Mr. Wheeler. February of this year ?
Mr. Acanfora. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wheeler. And how long had you worked for Rohr Aircraft?
Mr. Acanfora. Five and a half years, approximately.
Mr. Wheeler. During that period of time you were in Denver for
a short period of time; is that right?
Mr. Acanfora. Yes, sir ; I was.
Mr. Wheeler. And how were you employed in Denver ?
Mr. Acanfora. I worked in a couple of machine shops there.
Mr. Wheeler, xlnd what type of work did you do at Rohr Aircraft?
Mr. Acanfora. Pattermnaker when I left.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you know Mr. Lloyd Hamlin ?
Mr. Acanfora. I refuse to answer on the grounds of the first and
fifth amendments, sir.
COJMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7047
]\Ir. Wheeler. Were you a member of the National City-Chula
Vista Club of the Communist Party ?
Mr. AcANFORA. I refuse to answer as previously stated.
]\lr. Wheeler. Under what circumstances did you leave the employ-
ment of Rohr ?
]Mr. AcANFORA. I refuse to answer as previously stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Well. Mr. Chairman, this is exactly a parallel case^
the same as the previous witness. I have no further questions,
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle ?
Mr. Doyle. Well, I noticed your answer that your memory was very
vague. But I noticed when Mr. "Wlieeler asked you specific questions
you remembered dates pretty well. I didn't get the idea your memory
was vague at all from your answers. But I just w^anted you to know
that you didn't impress me as having a vague memory by your answers.
You were here in the room when I spoke to the last witness, and I know
you heard what I said to him.
(Witness nodded head affirmatively.)
]\Ir. Doyle. And as an American Congressman from California I
say the same thing to you. That is all, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Is there any reason why the witness should not be
excused ?
Mr. Wheeler. Not at all, sir.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further attendance under
this subpena.
The committee will stand in recess until 2 p. m.
(Recessed at 12 : 05 p. m. ; hearing reconvening at 2 p. m.)
Mr. Jackson. The committee will be in order. The Chair will again
caution the audience in the hearing room against any demonstration of
approval or disapproval relative to testimony given by any witness.
Are you ready to proceed, Mr. Wlieeler ?
Mr. Wheeler. Yes. Paul Sleeth, please.
Mr. Jackson. Please raise your right hand, sir.
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Sleeth. I do.
Mr. Jackson. Be seated, please.
Mr. Wheeler. Will the witness state his full name, please ?
TESTIMONY OF PAUL EDWIN SLEETH, JE.
Mr. Sleeth. Paul Edwin Sleeth, Jr.
Mr. Wheeler. And when and where were you born ?
Mr. Sleeth. Logansburg, Pa.
Mr. Wheeler. And would you give the committee a brief resume of
your educational background ?
Mr. Sleeth. Well, I went to high school in Pasadena ; I went on to
junior college in Pasadena, and I went to Santa Monica Junior College
for a while in Los Angeles.
Mr. Wheeler. How long have you resided in San Diego ?
Mr. Sleeth. Since in late 1948.
Mr. Wheeler. How have you been employed for the last few years ?
Mr. Sleeth. Well, right now I have been employed at the Goodwill
Industries, San Diego.
7048 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Sleeth, are you acquainted with Lloyd Hamlin ?
Mr. Sleeth. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that^ —
on the first and fifth amendment, and do not desire to be a witness
against myself.
Mr. Wheeler. We are particularly interested in the professional
group of the Communist Party which existed here, which in all prob-
ability does at the present time. Mr. Hamlin, in his testimony before
the committee in the April hearings in San Diego, identified you as a
member of this group, with membership date approximately 1950. Is
Mr. Hamlin's statement the truth ?
Mr. Sleeth. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds previ-
ously stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you acquainted with Carol Bayme, B-a-y-m-e?
Mr. Sleeth. I refuse to answer that question on the same constitu-
tional grounds.
Mr. Wheeler. Mrs. Bayme also testified before the committee the
fact that she was a member of the Communist Party and she identified
you as a member of the Communist Party. Was her identification
correct ?
Mr. Sleeth. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds previ-
ously stated.
Mr. Wheeler. I have no f urtlier questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Doyle. Did you serve in the Armed Forces of the United
States ?
Mr. Sleeth. No, I didn't.
Mr. Doyle. Were you
Mr. Sleeth. You see, I did for, let's see, for a while I did. That
was back in 1940, I believe. I was in the National
Mr. Doyle. I understood you to say no, you didn't.
Mr. Sleeth. I was mistaken. It was before the war and I had
almost forgotten that I did.
Mr. Doyle. I see. And in what division of the military did you
serve ?
Mr. Sleeth. I was in the National Guard as a — worked in the
Medical Corps.
Mr. Doyle. Here in California?
Mr. Sleeth. That is right.
Mr. DoTLE. What National Guard unit ?
Mr. Sleeth. I think it was the 115th Medical Regiment; I think
that w^as it.
Mr. Doyle. Was it in Pasadena or San Diego ?
Mr. Sleeth. Pasadena.
Mr. Doyle. I didn't hear whether Mr. Wheeler asked you whether or
not you were a member of the Communist Party at any time or not.
Were you ?
Mr. Sleeth. I refuse to answer that question on the first — grounds
previously stated, constitutional grounds previously stated.
Mr. DoTLE. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Sleeth. I refuse to answer that question on the constitutional
grounds previously stated.
Mr. Doyle. Were you a member of the Communist Party at the
time you were in the National Guard?
Mr. Sleeth. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds pre-
viouslv stated.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7049
, Mr. Doyle. I am sorry I didn't understand your answer. Where
are you now employed ?
Mr. Sleeth. Goodwill Industries of San Diego.
Mr. Doyle. And what is your work there?
Mr, Sleeth. I am a solicitor.
Mr. Doyle. Solicitor from house to house with merchandise?
Mr. Sleeth. That is right.
Mr. Doyle. The merchandise is picked up and then handled?
Mr. Sleeth. That is right.
Mr. Doyle. That is all.
Mr. Jackson. Anything further, Mr. Wheeler?
Mr. Wheeler. Nothing, sir.
Mr. Jackson. Any reason why the witness shouldn't be excused?
- Mr. Wheeler. No, sir.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further attendance un-
der this subpena.
Call your next witness.
Mr. Doyle. Mr. Chairman, may I make this additional, I want to
ask this witness if you were here this morning when I spoke to the
young man, Whitey ? You were here in the room, weren't you ?
Mr. Sleeth. I would like to consult with my attorney.
Yes, I was.
Mr. Doyle. You heard my statements to Whitey, who was working
in aircraft?
Mr. Sleeth. Yes, I did.
Mr. Doyle. Well, now, I am not going to take your time, and nat-
urally under the circmnstances, to repeat that sort of thing. But will
jou consider I am saying the same thing to you that I said to Whitey ?
Thank you very much. I wish you would.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused. Call your next witness.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. John Carpadakis.
Mr. Jackson. Please raise your right hand, sir.
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Carpadakis. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Will you state your full name, please ?
TESTIMONY OF JOHN CARPADAKIS, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS
COUNSEL, JOHN W. PORTER
Mr. Carpadakis. John Carpadakis.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you spell your last name ?
Mr. Carpadakis. C-a-r-p-a-d-a-k-i-s.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Porter, would you identify yourself for the
record ?
Mr. Porter. John W. Porter, 112 West Ninth Street, Los Angeles.
Mr. Wheeler. I believe you represented the previous witness, Mr.
Sleeth, also?
Mr. PoRiTCR. Yes, I did. The record may so show.
Mr. Wheeler. When and where were you born, Mr. Carpadakis?
Mr. Carpadakis, In 1895, in Greece.
Mr. Wheeler. I didn't catch the place.
Mr. Carpadakis. March 13, 1895, in Greece.
7050 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Wheeler. In Greece. Are you a citizen of the United States?
Mr. Carpadakis. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wheeler. When did you obtain your citizenship ?
Mr. Carpadakis. Some time in August of 1918.
Mr. Wheeler. Was that in San Diego, Calif. ?
Mr. Carpadakis. That was in Georgia — Atlanta, Ga.
]Mr. Wheeler, Was it in the United States court in Atlanta, Ga. ?
Mr. Carpadakis. It was Federal court. I w\as
Mr. Wheeler. How old were you at that time ?
Mr. Carpadakis. I was about 23 years old.
Mr. Wheeler. How long have you lived in San Diego ?
Mr. Carpadakis. Since 1944.
Mr. Wheeler. Prior to that time where did you reside ?
Mr. Carpadakis. In New Jerse5^
Mr. Wheeler. What is your occupation, Mr. Carpadakis ?
Mr. Carpadakis. Driving a truck.
Mr. Wheeler. Sir ?
Mr. Carpadakis. Produce truck.
Mr. Wheeler. Produce truck. You have your own business?
Mr. Carpadakis. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. How long have you been in this type of work ?
Mr. Carpadakis. Since 1946, the beginning of 1946.
Mr. Wheeler. And how were you employed prior to that ?
Mr. Carpadakis. I was working at the Consolidated factory, with
Convair, the aircraft.
Mr, Wheeler. Aircraft company ?
Mr. Carpadakis. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Wliat type of work did you do for Consolidated ?
Mr. Carpadakis. Machinist,
Mr. Wheeler. Are you a machinist by trade ?
Mr. Carpadakis. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you acquainted with Lloyd Hamlin ?
Mr. Carpadakis. I refuse to answer that question on the grounds
that it might tend to incriminate me,
Mr. Wheeler. Are you familiar with Mr. Hamlin's testimony be-
fore this committee in April of this year ?
Mr. Carpadakis. I refuse to answer that question for the same
reasons.
Mr. Porter. May we take a moment?
Mr. Carpadakis. I didn't read the testimony.
Mr. Jackson. You are not familiar, then, with his testimony?
]\Ir. CARPADAias. I am not familiar.
IVIr. Wheeler. Mr. Hamlin, during the course of his testimony,
identified you as a member of the Communist Party and a member of
the Linda'Vista Club. Was Mr. Hamlin correct in his testimony?
Mr. Carpadakis. I refuse to answer that question for the same
reasons stated before.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Carpadakis. I am going to refuse to answer that for the same
reason.
Mr. AVheeler. Are you presently a member of the Communist
Party?
Mr. Carpadakis. I refuse to answer that question for the same
grounds ?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7051
Mr. Wheeler. No further questions, Mr, Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. I think you said you became a citizen of the United
States in 1918 in Atlanta, Ga.?
Mr. Carpadakis. That is right.
Mr. Doyle. Well, that puts you in as a naturalized citizen with the
same responsibilities that I have. I was born in California ; we are
lx)th in the same class, then.
I know that you were here this morning, too, were you not, when
IVhitey was testifying?
Mr. Carpadakis. I don't thinls: I was here while he was testifying,
Whitey. Yes, I was here.
Mr. Doyle. I thought I saw you back there. You heard what I said
to Whitey?
Mr. Carpadakis. Yes.
Mr. Doyle. Let me say the same thing to you without repeating it,
as long as you heard. But may I say to you, sir, it just seems to me
that in view of the fact that the United States of America has given
you citizenship you are in a little bit different way than we men that
are born in this country. You folks that are naturalized by citizen-
ship ought to see to it that you do nothing but honor the country that
gives you citizenship. I feel that way myself, born here, and I hope
you do, naturalized here. That leaves me to say this, sir, that I don't
see ]iow in God's name how a man naturalized by this country could
think of joining the Communist Party in the United States. I remem-
ber what your answer was, and that is your privilege under our Con-
stitution. If you ever have been or are a member of the Communist
Party get out of it and do honor to the country that gave you natural-
ization, instead of being a party to a foreign conspiracy. I am talk-
ing to you as an American Congressman. I urge you to get out of it
if you are in it, and if you are in it to get out of it and make amends
in every way you can by serving the country that gave you naturaliza-
tion.
Mr. Carpadakis. May I comment on that?
Mr. Doyle. Yes.
Mr. Carpadakis. I think that must apply to you, because the Demo-
cratic Party, the party of treason according to our colleges, so they
might start to investigate that. They voted for a new deal.
Mr. Doyle. You see, Mr. Jackson is a member of one political
party and I am a member of another. This is not a partisan commit-
tee. We are American Congressmen first and our job is to be Ameri-
can Congressmen first and Republicans and Democrats afterward.
And your job as an American citizen is to be an American citizen
first and whatever else you are afterward. But for God's sake get out
of the Communist Party if you are in it.
Mr. Jackson. Anything further, Mr. Doyle ?
Mr. Doyle. That is all.
Mr. Jackson. I should like to supplement what Mr. Doyle has said
by saying simply this, that in the fall of 1947 I traveled through
Greece, the Grammos Mountains, Kilkis, Drama, and Salonika. I saw
the depredations of the Communists, I saw them drive their own peo-
ple south where there were hundreds of thousands of refugees. We
got into villages where the Communists had slaughtered many people
7052 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IX THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
the night before. The worst situation I can see is you in the northern
part of your homeland.
Anything further, Mr. Wheeler ?
Mr. Wheeler. Not at all, sir.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further attendance under
this subpena.
Call your next witness, Mr. Wheeler. ;" ;
Mr. Wheelfjj. Robert Anguis.
Mr. Jackson. Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about
to give before this subcommittee that you will tell the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Anguis. I do.
Mr. Jackson. Be seated, please.
Mr. Wheeler. Will you state your full name, please ? ''
TESTIMONY OF ROBERT SAMUEL ANGUIS, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS
COUNSEL, JOHN W. PORTER
Mr. Anguis. Robert Samuel Anguis.
Mr. Wheeler. Please spell your last name.
Mr. Anguis. A-n-g-u-i-s.
Mr. Wheeler. What is your occupation, Mr. Anguis ?
Mr, Anguis. I am a meatcutter.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, during the course of the last hear-
ings we received a telegram from a Bob Angus, A-n-g-u-s, sports-
writer for the Evening Tribune, and stating that he was not tlie Rob-
ert Anguis identified during the last hearings. And I want to make
it clear that there is no connection between the two.
Mr. Jackson. I believe the announcement was made during the
course of the last hearings, but the record can indicate again at this
time.
Mr. Wheelt:r. Wlien and where were you born, Mr. Anguis ?
Mr. Anguis. I was born in Douglas, Ariz., December 14, 1910.
Mr. Wheeler. And what is your educational background ?
Mr. Anguis. Well, I was taken out of school from Douglas at the
age of 10, and my folks took me to Yugoslavia. Well, that was in
1921, and I went in school there for, oh, a period of about 3 years,
returned to this country in 1928,
Mr, Wheeler. And how have you been employed ?
Mr, Anguis. Well, I first, when I landed in Arizona I was wasliing
dishes, and followed the restaurant trade for a while. And then I
came to San Diego in June of 1931 and I have been here ever since.
I worked for a period, also, following the culinary workers line. At,
oh, about 1934 I started working for a meat company and I have been
following the butcher trade ever since.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you own your own business here ?
Mr. Anguis. For a short period I had a business during — well, I
was in company with another fellow worker, we had a little market
for about 2 years, I believe it was. I don't exactly know. Then.!
went back to the job in the butchers. " ■' '
Mr. Wheeler. Let the record show that the witness is represented
by Mr. Porter again.
Mr. Porter. The record may so show.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7053
Mr. Wheeler. Are you acquainted with Mildred Berman?
Mr. Anguis. Well, I also at this time would like to invoke the privi-
lege of the first and fifth amendments to the Constitution that person-
ally guarantees me to the right of speech, to talk or not to talk, as I
see it, the right to not be a witness against myself.
Mr. Jackson. You would like to. Do you so invoke those constitu-
tional amendments and refuse to answer the question ?
Mr. Anguis. I do.
Mr. Wheeler. She testified that you were a member of the Com-
munist Party to her knowledge in 1943. AVas she telling the truth
in her testimony?
Mr. Anguis. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you a member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Anguis. I also refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you a member of the Communist Party in the
year 1934?
Mr. Anguis. I refuse to answer on the same grounds as previously
stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you ever know a person by the name of Na-
thaniel Griffin ?
Mr. Anguis. Sir, may I consult with my attorney ?
Mr. Wheeler. Certainly.
Mr. Anguis. I refuse to answer that question on the same grounds
as previously stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Griffin, according to the records of the secretary
of state, of the State of California, was the Communist Party nominee
for assemblyman from the 78th district here in San Diego. Since he
won the nomination of the Communist Party it was liis privilege to
appoint three delegates to the Communist Party State Convention
in Sacramento in the year 1934. On this document appears the name
Kobert Anguis, San Diego, Calif. I would like to ask you if you
were a delegate to the Communist Party State Convention in Sacra-
mento in the year 1934.
Mr. Anguis. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you ever use the name of Robert AVliite as a
Communist Party name?
Mr. Anguis. I refuse to answer on the same grounds as previously
stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you know Mr. Stanley Hancock when he was
Communist Party organizer in San Diego County ?
Mr. Anguis, Again, sir, I refuse to answer the question on the
gromids as previously stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Hancock testified before the committee in Wash-
ington, D. C., that he knew Robert Anguis in the Communist Party
and that he went under the name of Robert White. Is that a state-
ment of fact?
Mr. Anguis, I refuse to answer that question on the grounds as
previously stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you ever reside at 1410 Robinson Street in
San Diego?
Mr. Anguis. 1401 Robinson ?
Mr. Wheeler. No, 1410 Robinson Street in San Diego.
Mr. Anguis. I am trying to recollect. I will consult with my
attorney.
7054 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Would you tell me what period of time? Wliat period of time do
you have on that document ?
Mr. Wheeler. 1934.
Mr. Akguis. Well, sir, to the best of my knowledge — I should re-
member all of the streets, at least — I never lived on Kobinson Street.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you sign a sponsor's certificate on behalf of
Nathaniel Griffin in the year 1934, as sponsoring his candidacy for
the Communist Party ? I will show you the signature.
Mr. PoRi-ER. May I ask, Mr. Chairman, if the question just put
is withdrawn ? Or is that question still pending ?
Mr. Wheeler. It is still pending.
Mr. Anguis. Which was that? I refuse to answer again on the
grounds previously stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, I would like to introduce into the
record Anguis exhibit No. 1, "Appointment of Members of the State
Central Committee Meeting at Sacramento in the year 1934."
Mr. Jackson. It will be admitted.^
Mr. Wheeler. And the "Sponsor's Certificate" just referred to as
Anguis exhibit No. 2.
Mr. Jackson. It will be admitted.^
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Anguis, from this documentation and from the
testimony of witnesses it appears that you have been in the Communist
Party for quite a period of years, and we would like very much for
you to coperate with the committee. Do you refuse to help your
Government in this matter?
Mr. Anguis. I invoke my rights under the Constitution as previously
stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you a member of the Communist Party right
now?
Mr. Anguis. I refuse to answer that on the same grounds.
Mr. Wheeler. No further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. I wasn't sure, Mr. Anguis, that I heard correctly. As a
boy 10 or 12 years did you go back to Europe with your folks?
Yugoslavia ?
Mr. Anguis. Yugoslavia.
Mr. Doyle. You were there from 1910 to 1921 ?
Mr. Anguis. I beg your pardon, I was born in 1910, but we went to
Yugoslavia in 1921. I stayed there 7 years, and my folks are still
there, and I came back in 1928.
Mr. Doyle. While over there did you make any observation as to
whether or not the Communist Party was active over there ? I am not
asking you whether or not you joined or were a member of it, I would
like to know as a matter of information.
Mr. Anguis. I would like to make an opinion, if you want. Would
that be what you want ?
Mr. Doyle. Yes.
Mr. Anguis. I just want to make a statement that as a kid I was only
interested in sports and things they had, I didn't know anything about
politics, if that is what you mean.
Mr. Doyle. I didn't know how far down into the young people of
Yugoslavia the Communist Party was operating. I thought you
Retained In committee files.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7055
might notice among the youth of Yugoshavia the Communist Party
was operating.
Mr. Anguis. I have answered ah'eady.
Mr. Doyle. You were here this morning, weren't you, Mr. Anguis,
and heard my remarks to Mr. Rosen ?
Mr, Anguis. Yes ; I did.
Mr. DoYL,E. And Whitey ?
Mr. Anguis. I was here when the witnesses were called.
Mr. Doyle. You heard my remarks ?
Mr. Anguis. I surely did. Yes, I did.
Mr. Doyle. Without me taking time to repeat them may I ask that
you consider that I have repeated those to you ?
Mr. Anguis. I will consider it, sir. I understand.
Mr. Doyle. Thank you.
Mr. Jackson. Anything else, Mr. Wheeler?
Mr. Wheeler. Nothing at all, sir.
Mr. Jackson. Any reason — —
Mr. Anguis. May I read a statement, please?
Mr. Jackson. No. You may submit a statement for the considera-
tion of the committee, and if it meets with the rules which are pre-
scribed for the admission of statements, it will be considered.
Mr. Anguis. Well, I would like also to give one to the press.
Mr. Doyle. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the witness this, as
long as he is submitting a statement: Mr. Anguis, did you prepare
that statement yourself ?
Mr. Anguis. I sure did, sir. I sure did.
Mr. Jackson. Call your next witness, please.
Mr. Wheeler. Raymond Foss Baker.
Mr. Jackson. Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are
about to give before this subcommittee that you will tell the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Mr. Baker. I will.
Mr. Wheeler. State your full name, please.
TESTIMONY OF EAYMOND FOSS BAKER, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS
COUNSEL, JOHN W. PORTER
Mr. Baker. Raymond Foss Baker.
Mr. Jackson. I wonder, Mr. Baker, if you would move closer to the
microphone in order that the committee might hear you better ?
Mr. Wheeler. Will counsel identify himself for the record, please?
Mr. Porter. John W. Porter, 112 West Ninth Street, Los Angeles.
Mr. Baker. May I complete the answer to my first answer?
Mr. Wheeler. Yes.
Mr. Baker. I am more commonly known as Foss Baker.
Mr. Jackson. Is that your full name ?
Mr. Baker. My full name is Raymond Foss Baker, more commonly
known as Foss Baker.
Mr. Wheeler. When and where were you born, Mr. Baker ?
Mr. Baker. Nebraska, in 1904.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you mind giving us the month and the date?
Mr. Baker. September 5.
Mr. Wheeler. And what is your educational backgi'ound ?
7056 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Baker. Higli school, 3 years of college.
Mr. Wheeler. And where did you attend college?
Mr. Baker. Northfield, Minn.
Mr. Wheeler. Was that the name of the university ?
Mr. Baker. No.
Mr. Wheeler. What is that name ?
Mr. Baker. It was not a university ; it was a college.
Mr. Wheeler. Wliat was the name of the college ?
Mr. Baker. Carleton.
Mr. Wheeler. Thank you. Would you give the committee a brief
resume of your occupation after leaving college ?
Mr. Baker. I worked as a steamship clerk, a hospital orderly, a
trade-union organizer, and as a salesman. For the past 4 years I have
been in poor health and I have been intermittently a part-time em-
ployee.
Mr. Wheeler. How long have you resided in the city of San Diego ?
Mr. Baker. I do not reside in the city of San Diego.
Mr. Wheeler. How long have you resided in the county of San
Diego ?
Mr. Baker. Thirteen months.
Mr. Wheeler. And in what city do you reside ?
Mr. Baker. El Cajon.
Mr. Wheeler, What is your present occupation ?
Mr. Baker. I have part-time employment as a salesman.
Mr. Wheeler. Where did you reside prior to moving to San Diego ?
Mr. Baker. Michigan.
Mr. Wheeler. In what city in Michigan ?
'^^v. Baker. Lansing.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you ever meet Mr. Wayne Salisbury in the State
of Michigan ?
Mr. Baker. I invoke my rights under the first and the fifth amend-
ments of the Constitution of the United States and decline to answer
the question.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Salisbury testified before the committee on Feb-
ruary 27, 1952, during the time the committee was hearing testimony
in Michigan ; he identified you as Foss Baker and testified under oath
that he knew you as a member of the Communist Party. Was Mr.
Salisbury correct in this identification ?
Mr. Baker. Same answer for the same reason.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you today a member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Baker. Same answer for the same reason.
Mr. Wheeler. No further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. DoYLE. May I ask, Mr. Baker, you were here this morning
when I spoke to "Wliitey ?
Mr. Baker. Yes, sir.
Mr. Doyle. And you heard my remarks to him ?
Mr. Baker. More or less, yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Mr. Doi-LE. Well, may I ask that you consider that I am taking tnne
now to make the same remarks to you without taking the time to
actually do so ?
Mr. Baker. Yes, sir.
Mr. Doyle. May I say this to you, that I notice you, in relatnig
your occupation, said you had been a trade-union organizer. That
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7057
means you were more than the ordinary leader of men in my book.
And I hope that if there was ever any affiliation by you with the Com-
munist Party at any time that you will apply your energy now as
actively against the conspiracy as perhaps you did at any time you
were a member of the Communist outfit. It just seems to me that any
man that is able to be chosen an organizer of any group of American
men, has an ability that our country needs against the Communist
infiltration,
Mr. Jackson. Anything further, Mr. Wheeler ?
Mr. Wheeler. Nothing.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further attendance under
this subpena.
Mr. Wheeler. Mrs. Raymond Baker, please.
Mr. Jackson. Raise your right hand, please. Do you solemnly
swear in the testimony you are about to give before this subcommittee
that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, so help you God ?
Mrs. Baker. I do.
Mr. Wheeler. Will you state your full name, please ?
TESTIMONY OF MAEIAN A. BAKER, ACCOMPANIED BY HER
COUNSEL, JOHN W. PORTER
Mrs. Baker. Marian A. Baker.
Mr. Wheeler. And where were you born ?
Mrs. Baker. Minnesota.
Mr. Wheeler. Let the record show that the witness is represented
by Mr. Porter.
Mr. Porter. It may so show.
Mr. Wheeler. Wliat was your maiden name, Mrs. Baker?
Mrs. Baker, Piker.
Mr, Wheeler, And would you relate to the committee your edu-
cational background ^
Mrs. Baker. I am a high-school graduate.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you attend college?
Mrs. Baker. Not as an undergraduate.
Mr. Wheeler. Well, did you attend college at all ?
Mrs. Baker. I attended a 6 weeks' inservice training program at
one time.
Mr. Wheeler. At what university ?
Mrs. Baker. Michigan State College.
Mr. Wheeler. Have you been employed in the recent years?
Mrs. Baker. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wheeler. Well, what has your employment been ?
Mrs. Baker. I have been a stenographer.
Mr. Wheeler. And that is both back East and here ?
Mrs. Baker. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wheeler. And how long have you resided in San Diego
County ?
Mrs. Baker. Since August of 1953.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you presently reside in El Cajon ?
Mrs. Baker. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you presently employed ?
7058 COMIMTJNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mrs. Baker. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wheeler. What is your occupation ?
Mrs. Baker. I am a secretary.
Mr. Wheeler. For whom ?
Mrs. Baker. The La Mesa-Spring Valley School District.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you meet Mrs. Bereniece Baldwin in Michigan^
Mrs. Baker. I invoke the fifth amendment and decline to answer
that question.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you a member of the Communist Party in
Michigan ?
Mrs. Baker. I decline to answer that question for the grounds pre-
viously stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Have you attended any Communist Party meetings
in San Diego County since your arrival here 13 months ago?
Mrs. Baker. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds
which I have previously stated.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you today a member of the Communist Party ?
Mrs. Baker. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds.
Mr. Wheeler. No further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. Mrs. Baker, were you here this morning and heard my
remarks to Mr. Whitey Rosen ?
Mrs. Baker. Yes; I was.
Mr. Doyle. And may I ask that you apply those to yourself as my
hope for you as far as your American citizenship is concerned with-
out my taking time to repeat them ? And if you are engaged in any
field of education — I understand it is your field — it worries me no end
to have any people that are engaged in any field of education with
California children, whether as secretary to the principal or who-
ever it is, so close to the Comnimiist activity that at least they are
subpenaed before our committee. It worries me no end that anyone
in the field o'i education, as I say, that is so close to the Communist
fringe at lea; t that they are subpenaed by our investigators. That
is all, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Any reason why the witness should be further
retained ?
Mr. Wheeler. I have no reasons, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Tlie witness is excused from further attendance under
the subpena.
Mr. Wheeler. Lura Stevenson Elston.
Mr. Porter. Mr. Chairman, Mrs. Elston, whom I represent, is not
here yet. I believe she is on her way and I ask that her appearance
be postponed until later in the afternoon.
Mr. Jackson. I understand she is here. Is that correct?
Mr. Porter. Well, I haven't had an opportunity to consult with her.
May I do that?
Mr. Jackson. The committee at this time will take a 5-miniite
recess in order to give counsel an opportunity to confer with his client.
(A short recess was taken.)
Mr. Jackson. Tlie connnittee will be in order. Are you ready to
proceed with your next witness?
Mr. Wheeler. Lura Stevenson Elston.
Mr. Jackson. Raise your right hand, please.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7059
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mrs. Elston. I will.
Mr. Wheeler. Will you state your full name, please ?
TESTIMONY OF LURA STEVENSON ELSTON, ACCOMPANIED BY HER
COUNSEL, JOHN W. PORTER
Mrs. Elston. Lura Elston.
Mr. Wheeler. Is it L-u-r-a?
Mrs. Elston. Yes, sir; that is correct.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you known as Lura Stevenson previously ?
Mrs. Elston. That was my former name.
Mr. Wheeler. Would counsel identify himself, please?
Mr. Porter. John W. Porter, 112 West Ninth Street, Los x^ngeles.
Mr. W^heeler. And what is your educational background, Mrs.
Elston?
Mrs. Elston. Eleven years.
Mr. Wheeler. Beg pardon ?
Mrs. Elston. I didn't graduate from high school ; I attended school
for 11 years, 11%-
Mr. Wheeler. Have you been employed during the last 6 or 7 years?
Mrs. Elston. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you tell us where you have been employed ?
Mrs. Elston. I am a waitress. Is that what you mean ?
Mr. Wheeler. Yes. Where were you born ?
'Mrs. Elston. Nebraska.
Mr. Wheeler. And how long have you resided in San Diego
County ?
Mrs. Elston. Since I was 2 years old.
Mr. W^HEELER. You have just recently returned to San Diego
County ; haven't you ?
Mrs. Elston. "We were on a trip ; yes, sir. We leased our home here
and went on a trip and returned.
Mr, Wheeler. Plow long have you been back ?
Mrs. Elston. About — I will have to stop and think. About — I am
not absolutely certain ; I could check back. Approximately 5 months.
Mr. W^heeler. Are you acquainted with Mr. Hamlin ?
Mr. Porter. Will you state the full name ?
Mr. Wheeler. Lloyd Hamlin, Mr. Lloyd Hamlin.
Mrs. Elston. I refuse to answer on the ground that it is an infringe-
ment of my rights under the first and fifth amendment of the Con*
stitution.
Mr. Wheeler. Have you ever held any positions in any union ?
Mrs. Elston. Yes, sir ; I was the business agent of my union for, I
believe it Avas 3 years.
Mr. Wheeler. And during what years ?
Mrs. Elston. These kind of questions are probably easy for most
people, but I never remember what year anything happened. Put
it must have been about
Mr. Jackson. Well, within a year or two is all right.
7060 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mrs. Elston. I really am not sure, but about — up until about 4r
years ago, 5 years ago, the previous 3 years. I could check and get
the information for you.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Hamlin testified before this committee in April
that he knew you to be a member of the Communist Party. Is that
correct ?
Mrs. Elstok. I again refuse to answer on the grounds that it might
incriminate me, under the first and fifth amendments.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you a member of the Communist Party?
Mrs. Elston. I refuse to answer.
Mr. Jackson. For the same reasons?
Mrs. Elston. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wheeler. Our records show you were a member of the county
committee of the Communist Party. Is that correct ?
Mrs. Elston. I again refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you a member of the Communist Party now ?
Mrs. Elston. I again refuse to answer on the grounds that it might
tend to incriminate me under the first and fifth amendments. .■
Mr. Wheeler. No further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle?
Mr. DoTLE. No questions.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further attendance under
the subpena.
Call your next witness, please. ;
Mr. Wheeler. ]Mr. Richard Adams.
Mr. Jackson. Raise your right hand, please, Mr. Adams.
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee that you will tell the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Adams. I do.
Mr. Wheeler. Will you please state your full name?
TESTIMONY OF GEORGE RICHARD EARL ADAMS
Mr. Adams. George Richard Earl Adams.
Mr. Wheeler. You are the same Richard Adams who appeared be-
fore this committee on April 21, 1954?
Mr. Adams. On or about that date. I believe it was a day or so,
later.
Mr. Wheeler. I notice you are not represented by counsel. Are you
waiving that right ?
Mr. Adams. I shall act as my own counsel.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Adams, are you appearing here today under
subpena? ;;•;
Ml'. Adams. I am not.
Mr. Wheeler. It is correct, then, to say you are appearing here
then at your own request? .i
Mr. Adams. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler. Will you advise the committee why you desire to
appear before the committee and retestify ?
Mr. Adams. Well, at the committee's hearing in April I testified
fully before this committee under oath pertaining to my own political
background and affiliation. However, at that particular time I re-
fused to divulge to this committee names of individuals, I might add
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7061
I have known in the past to be Communists. Subsequent to that, acting
on the theory that I waived on my immunity, Congress — and I under-
stand by a unanimous vote — voted to cite me for contempt of Congress
at the behest of this committee. I feel that I am not in a position
alone to argue with some 400-odd Congressmen. If they feel that
I happen to be wrong in that respect the problem is not mine. If
the people don't like the Congress they have they can change it this
fall. So I decided rather than spend a couple of years of my life
fighting Congress up to the Supreme Court, with the possibility of a
conviction, and with the further possibility of all that is entailed, to
answer the questions put by this committee.
Mr. Wheeler. Then it is your feeling at this time that you will be
responsive to all questions asked ?
Mr. Adams. I shall be responsive to all questions asked, Mr.
Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler. In a cooperative mamier?
Mr. Adams. In a cooperative manner.
Mr. Jackson. May the Chair interpose a question at this time, Mr.
Adams ? Have you been promised any immunity or emolument or any
other guaranties for your appearance before the committee?
Mr. Adams. Mr. Jackson, I have not, as you well know.
Mr. Jackson. I well know, but I want the record to also reflect
that.
Mr. Adams. The record may show that.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, with the Chair's permission, I would
like to introduce as Adams' exhibit No. 1, the resolution adopted by
the House of Representatives citing Mr. Richard Adams for contempt
and referring the matter to the United States attorney for the south-
ern district of California.
Mr. Jackson. It will be admitted.^
Mr. Wheeler. I also rexjuest the permission of the Chair to intro-
duce report No. 2458, 83d Congress, 2d session, entitled "Proceedings
Against Richard Adams." This is Adams' Exhibit No. 2.
Mr. Jackson. So admitted.^
Mr. Wheeler. And ask that the transcript of the previous testi-
mony taken on April 21, 1954, also be entered as Adams' Exhibit
No. 3.
Mr. Jackson. It will be admitted.^
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Adams in his previous appear-
ance before the committee testified rather fully concerning his back-
ground, his OMm participation in the Communist Party, and his own
opinions regarding Communist Party theories. I do not believe it is
necessary to reiterate any of this testimony, unless the Chair deems
it advisable.
Mr. Jackson. No ; I think we can omit anything that was satisfac-
torily covered in the previous hearing. Mr. Doyle, do you concur?
Mr. Doyle. I do.
Mr. Wheeler. Pardon me just a second. Mr.* Adams, I believe in
your testimony of April 21, 1954, you testified that you were recruited
into the Communist Party in the State of Minnesota. Is that correct?
Mr. Adams. That is correct, sir.
^ Retained in committee files.
7062 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Wheeler. Wliat was the name of tlie person who recruited
you into the Communist Party?
Mr. Adams. I beheve he was the first Communist mayor elected
in the United States, a fellow by the name of Emil Nygaard.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you spell his last name ?
Mr. Adams. I believe the correct spelling is N-y-g-a-a-r-d, either a
Swede-Finn or a Finn-Swede.
Mr. Wheeler. And how long were you a member of the Coimnunist
Party in the State of Minnesota ?
Mr. Adams. From approximately 1935 to 1939.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you assigned to any groups or units or clubs
of the Communist Party during this period of time ?
Mr. Adams. My work primarily during that period of time was
working with miners who were unemployed.
Mr. Wheeler. Well, were you assigned to any units of the Com-
munist Party ?
Mr. Adams. Oh, yes ; I was assigned to the unit in Crosby, Minn.
Mr. Wheeler. And how long were you a member of that unit ?
Mr. Adams. I was a member from about sometime in 1935 until
1936, 1 believe, that particular unit.
Mr. Wheeler. One year?
Mr. Adams. Approximately.
Mr. Wheeler. And what type of individuals comprised this par-
ticular unit?
Mr. Adams. Well, this was a mining community. I believe that
all of the members of the unit were either miners or ex-miners.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall the identity of any individuals that
were in this group ?
Mr. Adams. Aside from Mr. Nygaard I recall the identity of a
gentleman by the name of Raino Tantilla.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you spell it, please?
Mr. Adams. I believe the spelling would be T-a-n-t-i-1-l-a on the
last name; the first name would be R-a-i-n-o. I understand that he
was killed in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. I also can recall
another person, a John Snyder.
Mr. Wheeler. S-n-y-d-e-r?
Mr. Adams. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wheeler. Can you further identify Mr. Snyder?
Mr. Adams. At this time, no. I have no recollection outside of
Mr. Wheeler. How large was this unit ?
Mr. Adams. At that particular time I think there were, oh, any-
where from 25 to 45 people in it.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall the identity of any of the others ?
Mr. Adams. At this particular time I have no present recollection
of the identity of any other people. This has been almost 20 years
ago.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you subsequently transferred or assigned to
another unit of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. Well, I worked for a time up on the border in a little
town by the name of Baudette.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you spell that?
Mr. Adams. B-a-u-d-e-t-t-e, where I had no organizational connec-
tion with the Communist Party for a year or so, and subsequent to
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7063
that I went into Duluth where I was assigned to a branch or a unit.
Mr. Wheeler. And that would probably be in 1937?
]Mr. Adams. No, it was later than that. It was in January of 1939,
approximately.
Mr. Wheeler. Who were the members of this unit in Duluth ?
Mr. Adams. There was a preacher's son who was the organizer of
the unit by the name of Harry Smith. I recall 3 or 4 other people. A
gentleman by the name of John Fisher; another
Mv. AVheeler. Can you identify these people a little further?
Mr. Adams. John Fisher I can't. Another individual by the name
of Sam Davis who ran for governor on the Communist Party ticket
in the State of Minnesota back in the early thirties. Another individ-
ual wdiose last name was Cooler, I am not too sure of the first name, I
think it might be Fred. And an Irishman by the name of Malcolm
Mclsaac.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall the occupation of Mclsaac or Cooler?
Mr. Adams. At the time I knew him he was teaching.
Mr. Wheeler. Which one?
Mr. Adams. Mclsaac.
Mr. Wheeler. And where was he a teacher?
Mr. Adams. He was teaching on the adult education program. I
believe it was sponsored by the Works Piojects Administration.
Mr. Wheeler. He was employed by the WPA as a teacher?
Mr. Adams. I don't know, it is possible he was. It is also possible
that he was employed by the Duluth city school system.
Mr. Wheeler. What was the strength of this unit in Duluth ?
]Vrr. Anv^rs. The unit I was in at that particular period probably
had anywhere from 25 to 50 members.
Mr. Wheeler. And is this all the individuals you recall ?
Mr. Adams. This is all the individuals that I have any present
recollection of.
Mr. WheLler. What positions did you hold in the Communist Party
during the time you were a member in the State of Minnesota ?
Mr. Adams. I held every position from unit organizer to a member
of the S^-qte committee.
Mr. Wheeler. And during what year were you a member of the
State committee ?
Mr. Adams. I believe it was during the year 1938.
Mr. Wheeler. And how many members were on the State committee
of the Communist Party in the State of INIinnesota ?
Mr. Adams. At that particular time there were anywhere from 15
to 25.
Mr, Wheeler. Would you identify all the ones you recall, please?
Mr, Adams. Well, at that time Nat Ross was State secretary ; Martin
Macki was a member of the committee ; and a man by the name of John
Saltis. And at this particular time I cannot recall the names of the
other members of the State committee.
Mr, Wheeler. You recall 2 ?
Mr, Adams, I believe 3, Nat Eoss, Martin Macki, John Saltis.
Mr. Wheeler. And how did you spell the name Macki ?
Mr. Adams. M-a-c-k-i.
]\Ir. Wheeler. Were they employees of the Communist Party or
did they have other occupations, have positions in the community in
which they resided ?
7064 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Adams. I have no present knowledge of that.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you know what districts they represented in the
State of Minnesota ?
Mr. Adams. Well, Mr. Ross was the State secretary. The other two
people I do not know. I do not recall, if I ever knew.
Mr. Wheeler. I believe you testified you were expelled from the
Communist Party in 1939?
Mr, Adams. I was.
Mr. Wheeler. Just briefly would you tell us the reason why ?
Mr. Adams. Mr. Wheeler, I went into this quite thoroughly in April.
May I refresh my recollection from some of my notes ?
Mr. Wheeler. Certainly.
Mr. Adams. Tliat I had at that time. Well, the expulsion was
brought about mainly through a difference of opinion between myself
and the Duluth leaders of the Communist Party over the role that the
United States should play in tlie war that broke out in August, I
believe, of 1939, in Europe.
Mr. Wheeler. Are those all of the individuals you recall in the
State of Minnesota as members of the' Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. At this particular time those are the only individuals
that I have- any present positive recollection of. And I might add,
Mr. Wlieeler, that this has been from 20 to about 15 years ago and it
is veiy difficult to search a person's recollection to try to dredge up
people, particularly, that you might be positive of.
Mr. Wheeler. When did you first come to San Diego, Calif. ?
Mr. Adams. I believe it was in September 1943.
Mr. Wheeler. Then have you resided here since that date ?
Mr. Adams. I have resided in San Diego County continuously since
that date.
Mr. Wheeler. I believe you testified in your previous testimony
that you rejoined the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. I rejoined the Communist Party in 19-13, I believe —
1944, probably the early part of 1944.
Mr. Wheeler. Early 1944 ?
^Ir. Adams. These dates, without going back and checking my
notes, are approximate dates. I hope the committee understands that,
because I am not trying to record back to the committee
Mr. Jackson. It will be understood that these are approximate to
the ])est of your recollection.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Adams, I refer you to page 4854 of the official
transcript of the previous testimony, and repeat to you a question
asked by Mr. Frank Tavenner, committee counsel. And I would like
to note, Mr. Chairman, that this is the first question of a series of 9
questions which was the basis on which the House of Representatives
based their contempt citation against Richard xVdams :
Mr. Tavenner. To whom did you submit your api)lication for membership?
Mr. Adams. Is that the present question ?
]\Ir. Wheeler. Yes, sir.
Mr. Adams. I believe I submitted it to Fran Decker.
Mr. Wheeler. Is that Frances Decker?
Mr. Adams. Well, I knew her as Fran Decker, D-e-c-k-e-r.
Mr. Wheeler. And who was she?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7065
Mr. Adams. At the time I was informed that she was secretary of
the San Diego Communist Party.
Mr. Wiif:FXER. Were vou assigned to a chib or unit of the Commu-
nist Party here in San Diego I
Mr. Adams. I was eventually. It took a little time for my applica-
tion to be accepted, and I believe I was assigned to what was then
known as the Logan Heights branch.
Mr. AYi lEELER. And how long were you a member of the Logan
Heights branch ?
j\ir. Adams. It was not too long a period ; in terms of months, maybe
6 months, it could have been a year. There was reorganization that
took })lace shortly after that, there was a general consolidation of
various San Diego branches into a central group, later on a reassign-
ment of people out of the central group back into branches. I couldn't
state too positively how long it was.
Mr. Wheeler. How many members were in this Logan Heights
Club of the Communist Party?
Mr. Adams. I couldn't positively even approximate the number of
members. The number of members that I possibly saw at meetings —
well, it would be impossible to estimate, because at that time the war
was on and people worked diiferent shifts, and it could have been 10
members, it could have been 50.
Mr. Jackson. What would the average attendance be at a meeting?
Mr. Adams. Oh, 8 or 10 people.
Mr. Whj:eler. How many meetings would you say yoii attended
of this club?
JMr. Adams. To the best of my recollection, 2 or 3 meetings.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall who was the chairman of the club or
any of the officers of it?
Mr. Adams. No, I don't. I don't recall who was chairman of the
€lub or wlio tlie officers of the club were. I was new in San Diego and
individuals' faces or names meant very little to me,
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall any of the members of this club?
Mr. Adams. I recall Red Plagen, who has testified before this com-
mittee, and the only reason I recall him was my recollection was re-
freshed by conferences in my offices prior to his testimony here, and
also introducing him to ]Mr. Wheeler. I also recall Morgan Hull
a member of this local.
Mr. Wheeler. Is Red Hagen known as Oliver Hagen ?
Mr. Adams. That is correct ; O. B. Hagen.
Mr. Wheeler. Was William Pope a member of this club ?
Mr. Adams. I believe he was, and his wife Beverly.
Mi'. Wheeler. Well, you knew both William Pope and Beverly
Pope as members of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. I did.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall anyone else ?
Mr. Adams. Not of the Logan Heights branch. That is your refer-
ence at this particular time?
Mr. Wheeler. Yes. Do you recall who assigned you to the Logan
Heights branch ?
Mr. Adams. No, I do not, but I believe Frances Decker or Morgan
Hull, 1 of the 2.
7066 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Jackson. The record should show at this time that the Frances
Decker mentioned in the testimony appeared before the committee in
Washington, D. C, some months aoo and declined to answer any ques-
tions having to do with her alleged Communist Party activity, taking
the provisions of the fifth amendment as her grounds for not an-
swering.
Mr. AViiEEi.ER. Mr. Adams, I recall your testifying that it could
have been G months to a year that you remained a member of the
Logan Heights branch. And what happened after you left this
branch ?
Mr. Adams. I was transferred again to a larger group, I believe,
and then sliortly thei'eafter transferred to a South Bay unit.
Mr. Wheeler. Would this be the Communist Political Association?
Mr. Adams. It is ]:)ossible that it was.
Mr. Wheeler. Where did the Communist Political Association
meet?
Mr. Adams. Well, the meetings I attended, I believe, were in a hall
on 12th Street or 11th Street. I don't know the name of the hall or
t he address, here in the city of San Diego.
Mr. Wheeler. Do you recall any of the members of this large group
or unit ?
Mr. Adams. Well, primarily I can recall the members of the execu-
tive committee, who were George Lohr, Enos Baker, Nancy Rosenfeld,
Lura Stevenson, Josephine Benson, Lloyd Hamlin, Dave Buchanan.
INIr. Wheeler. This is the executive committee of the Communist
Political Association?
INIr. Adams. Well, for the time being the executive committee of the
Connnunist Political Association. And then the association was dis-
banded and the Communist Party was reorganized.
Mr. Wheeler. I believe you testified in your previous testimony
that you were elected to the executive committee of San Diego County ?
Mr. Adams. I was.
Mr. Wheeler. That was during the year 1944-45 ?
Mr. Adams. That is correct. So some of these names, Mr. Wheeler,
if I may interject, were doubtlessly members of the committee at the
time of my election, probably some of them were members of the
committee at the time of the association, and possibly some of them
after the disbandment of the association.
Mr. Wheeler. Would you further describe Georoe Lohr?
Mr. Adams. He was the chairman of the San Diego Communist
Party.
Mr. Wheeler. Enos Baker?
Mr. Adams. I don't know particularly what his job was.
Mr. Whei:ler. Nancy Rosenfeld?
Mr. Adams. I believe she was a clerk of some kind in tlie offices of
the Communist Party.
INIr. Wheeler. Was she also known as Nancy Rosenfeld Lund.
L-u-n-d?
My. Adams. I have no knowledge of that, I have no personal knowl-
edge of that.
Mr. Wheeler. Lura Stevenson?
Mr. Ada]ms. Yes.
IVfr. Wheeler. Well, what was her occupation ? Could you further
describe her?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7067
Mr. Adams. Well, Liira Stevenson testified before I did, I believe
she said she was business agent for the Cooks and Waitresses Union,
and I believe that was her occupation at the time that I knew her,
Mr. WiiEELEK. Josephine Benson?
Mr. Adams. She was also a business agent for the Cooks and Wait-
resses Union.
Mr. Wheeler. David Buchanan?
Mr. Adams. I believe he was in the building trades.
Mv. WiiEELEK. Did you know Ray JNIorkowski?
Mr. Adams. The name Ray Morkowski is familiar.
Mr. Wheeler. Was he a member of the central committee ?
Mr. Adams. At this time I have no present recollection whether he
was or not,
Mr. Wheeler. Did you know him to be a member of the Com-
munist Party?
Mr. Adams. At this time I have no present recollection whether he
was a member or not.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, he has been previously identified.
What was the ])eriod of time you were a member of the Communist
Political Association?
Mr. Adams. Well, I have to go back and check a lot of notes to make
an exact determination when the Communist Party was disbanded
and when it was reinstated, but I believe the Connnunist Party was
reorganized sometime in 1945.
Mr. Jacksox. Membership was continuous in the Communist Po-
litical Association until the reconstitution of the Communist Party?
Mr, Adams. Well, the Communist Political Association was a fig-
ment of the imagination of Earl Browder, and when Browder went
out the political association went along with him.
Mr. Jacksox. Wliat I mean to say, your membership was continuous
through that period?
Mr. Adams. From 1944 to 1946; yes.
Mr. Wheeler. You testified, Mr. Adams, you then became a mem-
ber of the South Bay branch ?
Mr. Adams. Yes.
Mr. Wheeler, What period of time were you a member of this
club?
Mr. Adams. Well, that was probably the latter part of 1945 and
part of 1946.
Mr. Wheeler. Did you remain a member of this club until you left
the Communist Party?
Mr. Adams. I remained a member of that club until I was expelled
by the Communist Party.
Mr. AVheeler. At that period of time you resided in National City ?
Mr. Adams. I did.
Mr. Wheeler. And that South Bay Club
Mr. Adams. I believe it encompassed everything south of the San
Diego city line.
Mr. Wheeler. And what was the membership of this club?
Mr. Adams. Well, it was somewhat smaller than the Logan Heights
Club. My impression was 10 or 12 people.
Mr. Wheeler. Could you identify the members that you presently
recall ?
7068 f:OMMUNIST activities IX THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Adams. Tlie only people that I have a present recollection of
were John Lang, his wife, Mrs. John Lang — I believe her first name is
JRita — a woman by the name of Honja Lewie.
Mr. Wheeler. Wonld j^ou spell that, please?
Mr. Adams. I believe her first name is H-o-n-j-a, last name L-e-w-i-e ;
and a gentleman by the name of W. L, Edwards.
Mr. Wheeler. i)o you recall the occupation of the latter two indi-
viduals?
Mr. Adams. Mr. Edwards was retired. Honja Lewie. I did not
know her occupation.
Mr. Wheeler. That is all the members that you recall in this
branch ?
Mr. Adams. To the best of my present recollection, yes; Mr.
Wlieeler.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Adams, this next question was previously asked
by Mr. Tavenner, and is the second of a series of nine questions which
were the basis of citing you for contempt of Congress, on page 4857 of
the official transcript. Quoting the record :
Mr. Tavenner. Who was in charge of the recruitment of new members or the
work of recruitment of new members from the executive committee of the Com-
munist Party?
Mr. Adams. Well, primarily the person responsible for the recruit-
ment of new members would be the head of the party in the county
who, at the time I was a member, would be either Morgan Hidl or
George Lohr.
Mr. Wheeijer. Mr. Adams, I will repeat this question asked of you
by Mr. Tavenner, and it is the third question that was used as a basis
of citing you for contempt.
This appears on page 4857 of the official transcript.
Mr. Tavenner. Who was in cliarge of the worlc of distribution of Ctuumunist
Party literature?
Mr. Adams. I can't answer that question because at this particular
time I cannot recall who might have been assigned from the central
committee to the literature distribution.
Mr. Wheeler. When you testified before the committee previously
I believe you listed in your employment that you were a manager of a
book store here in San Diego?
Mr. Adams. Yes; I did.
Mr. Wheeler. What book store is that?
Mr. Ada^is. It was known as the Community Book Store.
Mr. Wheeler. Was it a Communist Party book store ?
Mr. Adams. Well, I don't know whether it was a Communist Party
book store, it was owned by the corporation that was organized back
in the late twenties or early thirties. It handled all types of Commu-
nist literature, along with a lot of other stuff.
Mr, Wheeler. How did you obtain this position ?
Mr. Adams. I was assigned to it by the central committee of the
Connnunist Party.
Mr. Wheeler. The Communist Party had a deciding interest in
this book store, then?
Mr. Adams. To the extent that they were in a position to appoint
the manager ; yes.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7069
Mr. Wheeler. Where did you get the literature that was sold at
this book store?
Mr. Adams. Primarily from a distributor in San Francisco.
Mr. Wheeler. Wlio was that ?
jNIr. Adams. At this time I Avouldn't be able to recall tlie name of the
firm that sold us literature.
Mr, Wheeler. Mr. Adams, this is the fourth of the series of nine
questions which was used as the basis for the contempt citation. Tliis
is repeating from page 4857 of the official transcript :
Mr. Tavenner. Who was head of the rommunist Party at the time you were
a member of the executive committee, that is, the head of the party in San Diego
County?
Mr. Adams. At the time I joined I believe Fran Decker was; later
on Morgan Hull was, and subsequent to Morgan Hull I believe George
Lolir.
Mv. Wheeler. I will repeat a question asked by Mr. Tavenner at
the previous hearing. This is the fifth of the series of questions. It
appears on page 4853 of the transcript. I don't know whether you can
])ick this up or not. The question is:
Mr. Tavenxek. Who was liead of the Communist Party in San Diego County
at the time tliis action was taken
Mr. Adams. What action is he referring to?
Mr. Wheeler. I thought you might recall that. I will have to
check back.
Mr. Adams. Xo; I don't.
Mr, Wheeler. It was referring to your expulsion from the Com-
munist Party.
Mr, Adams. George Lohr.
Mr. Wheeler. In regard to expulsion from the Communist Party
how were you notified?
Mr. Adams. Well, I was notified I was dropped by Mr. Lohr, and
suljsequent to that time I was notified by his wife that I had been
expelled.
Mr. Wheeler. His wife. Would you identify her?
Mr. Adams. Ilelga Weigert.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you offered a hearing?
Mr. Adams. I did not ask for one.
Mr. Wheeler. Were you offered one?
Mr. Adams. There was no offer made.
Mr. Wheeler. Did they advise you the reasons why you were
expelled ?
Mr. Adams. I did not ask the reasons, there was no advice given
on that score.
Mr. Wheeler. However, you accepted their decision without com-
ment ?
Mr. Adams, I knew what the reasons were.
Mr. Jacksox. Did you yourself know of the reason why you had
been expelled?
Mr. Adams. I did .
Mr. Jackson. What was that reason?
Mr. Adams. Well, once more, it was a difference of opinion between
myself and the leaders of the San Diego Communist Party, pri-
marily— the primary reason being a difference of opinion on policy.
7070 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Jackson. You were showing a lot of individuality for a mem-
ber of the Communist Party?
Mr. Adams. I always show individuality, Mr. Jackson, whether I
am meeting with the Communist Party or a Congressman.
Mr. Jackson. We are aware of that. Was it apparent to you that
further breaches of discipline of that kind would probably result in
your expulsion?
Mr. Adams, Absolutely.
Mr. Jackson. It already having occurred on one occasion?
Mr. Adams. Absolutely. I fully understood, and have always. And
I might say that I have made a 20 — more than a 20-year study of
communism, and it is a fact that the Communist Party, being a
monolithic party, cannot tolerate or cannot afford to have people in-
side of the Communist Party that do not believe in the program, the
aim or the objective of the party. And I might say that in the past
the Democratic Party has tried to do the same thing by trying to purge
some of tlie Soutlierners and they have had a hard time trying to do
it. And the same thing holds true with any political party, unless
you agree with the aims, objectives, activities of any organization you
are going to have to get out of the organization or take it over, there
will be no room for the •
Mr. Jackson. A lot of that argument
Mr. Adams. The Republican and Democratic Party is not a revolu-
tionary party.
Mr. Wheeler. You have already answered this question, Mr.
Adams. However, I would like to repeat it, it is the sixth of the
nine questions for which you were cited for contempt; it appears
on page 4863. And I repeat the question, it is by Congressman
Jackson :
Mr. Jackson. Who was the person who notified you of your expulsion from
the Communist Party?
Mr. Adams. The person who notified me of my being dropped was
Mr. Lohr and his wife, Mrs. Lohr, or Helga Weigert, notified me quite
some time later that I was expelled. And by the way, I never knew
Helga Weigert as a Communist.
Mr. Jackson. But she notified you that you had been expelled from
the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. I assumed she was bringing the message from her
husband.
Mr. Jackson. A reasonable assumption under the circumstances?
Mr. Adams. Yes, a very reasonable assumption.
Mr. Wheeler. The next question which will be repeated, questions
7, 8, and 9, which concludes the series of 9 questions for which Con-
gress cited you for contempt, on page 4863 to 4865, No. 7 :
Mr. Tavrnner. Was George Lohr the one who notified you you were dropped
from the Communist Party?
Mr. Adams. Yes,
Mr. Wheeler. The next question :
Mr. Tavenner. Was George Lohr the head of the Communist Party in San
Diego at tliat time?
Mr, Adams. Yes.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7071
Mr. Wheeler. No. 9 :
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, all you know regarding
the activities in the Communist Party of George Lohr in San Diego, if you know
of such activities?
Mr. Adams. Well, that would probably take a whole volume and an
hour's testimony. George Lohr was transferred into San Diego as
the San Diego chairman; from where I do not know. I believe he
came into San Diego in the middle of 1945. When he left San Diego
I have no knowledge, because I was not a member of the party at
that time. During his tenure of office or his tour of duty he served
as the spokesman or chairman or head of the San Diego County Com-
munist P'arty. And during the period of the Political Association,
head of that association.
Mr. Jackson. Do you know of his present whereabouts ?
Mr. Adams. Simply from hearsay. I was informed by the press
that George Lohr and Helga Weigert were in Czechoslovakia. George
Lohr told me he was born in New York, had been taken back to
Germany as a child, had got out of Germany after the advent of
coming to power of Hitler, and came back to his native country.
Also, other things that he told me led me to believe that he had a
lot of help doing a lot of things that he was doing, besides the help he
was getting from the Communist Party. I frankly always suspected
him of being in the employ of the FBI or of the State Department.
Mr. WiiEELEK. That information, a guess by the witness, might be
an injustice to the person you are discussing in San Diego.
Mr. Adams. It shouldn't be.
Mr. Wheeler. I would like to refer you to part 2 of the hearings,
Investigation of Communist Activities in the State of California,
4611, the testimony of Mr. Benjamin Haddock, H-a-cl-d-o-c-k. Were
you ever acquainted with Mr. Haddock ?
Mr, Adams. I have no present recollection of ever having met the
man.
Mr. Wheeler. Well, he testified in Washington to the effect he was
a member of the Communist Party here in San Diego. And Mr.
Tavenner is doing the questioning, and I would like to repeat this
portion of the testimony. [Reading :]
Will you give us the names, please, and all the identifying information you
can regarding the Communist Party membership of any other person other than
you have already named wliere you have direct knowledge of your own indicat-
ing Communist Party membership?
Mr. Haddock. Richard Adams, who was the party functionary to come to me
and get me to sign the application card for my 1946 membership. I was sick at
the time and so he came to my home. I have never seen him since or before.
And he later ran for office in National City and was elected.
Do you recall that incident?
Mr. Adams. I do not, Mr. Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler. AVas it part of your duties as a member of the Com-
munist Party to reregister people or to obtain their applications ?
Mr. Adams. It probably was ; it is entirely possible that I did. But
I would not know^ Mr. Haddock if I met him in the street and I don't
recollect his name.
Mr. Wheeler. Well, if you did that type of work you would have
been in possession of a list of a great number of people who were
7072 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
members of the Communist Part}' in San Diego. Would that be
correct?
Mr. Adams. Well, not a great number. It is possible that — I don't
know which branch he belonged to. 1 might have been given a list
by the county office of a few people that were sick and couldn't come
in and asked to contact them, and possibly that is one of those events.
He said he was ill. From time to time I have been in possession of
lists of great numbers of people.
Mr. Wiieel?:r. Would you be able to identify any other individuals
who were members of the Communist Party in San Diego?
My. Adams. Not at this particular time. I couldn't even identify
Mr. Haddock. If you w^ant to refresh my recollection with the indi-
vidual names that you might have, possibly that might
Mr. Wheeler. I believe you testified in your previous testimony that
you wrote for the Federated Press in San Diego. Is that correct?
Mr. Adams. I was stringman for a while for the Federated Press.
Mr. Wheeler. How did you acquire that position ?
Mr. Adams. I think I was either hired by mail, or the Los Angeles
editor came down and made arrangements for me to write material
for them. I don't recall.
Mr. Wheeler. Mr. Chairman, I have no further questions.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle, do you have any questions ?
Mr. Doyle. Of course, I remember very well, Mr. Adams, your
appearance in xipril of this year here. I am very glad, iis a Member
of Congress, that you have come back to help us with this information.
I will be perfectly frank with you, I remember Mr. Wheeler's ques-
tion to you a few" minutes ago in asking how it came about that you
were back with us today, I remember that you related that you felt
you were not in a position alone to go against the opinion of 435 Mem-
bers of the House of Representatives. I always wonder the extent
to which peo])le who volunteer or cooperate with us do so because they
feel it is their patriotic duty. I know^ you answered Mr. Wheeler's
question rather briefly, but you didn't relate that as one of the reasons
as being any patriotic motive on your part.
Mr. Adams. May I answer your question, Congressman ?
Mr. Doyle. Certainly.
Mr. Adams. I listened very closely to your lecture that you gave the
witness this morning. For your information, sir, my ancestors and
relatives have died in every war in this country since the French and
Indian War. I feel that my patriotism, my love of America is as great
as any person. I think possibly, besides yourself and your family, the
death of your son would be regretted by myself as much as anyone in
this world.
I regret that people on both sides of this terrific struggle between
communism and capitalism are so shortsighted, are so vicious and have
such hatred in their hearts that they are going to inevitably cause a
clash between these two forces, and when that day comes, and it has
already come, that brave men on both sides will die, and I think that
we all regret that. And, sir, it isn't a question of being a great Ameri-
can or being a patriot, it is a question of having love for your fellow
man and trying to see the way clear to do something that will head
off this inevitable clash that is building up between these tw^o great
forces in the modern world today. And I can only say to you that I
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7073
disagree with your method of trying- to combat communism in Amer-
ica, because you know as well as I do that every time unemployment
increases a million people you make 10,000 potential Connnunists.
And with unemployment going up as it has in the past year or so, five
or six or seven million, yon will make more Communists than this com-
mittee can ferret out in 10, 20 years. So the thing to do is stop the
economic ills of the world, that stops communism.
Mr. Doyle. AVell, I lemember in April yon did relate your inheri-
tance background, at least briefly. I think I am clear on that recollec-
tion. But I did notice in your brief relating of circumstances under
whicli you are back here today that you emphasized that you didn't
want to come up or you didn't want to tight alone the position of 435
Members of the Hoiise and carry the case clear to the Supreme Court,
and so forth. You made no 'mention of any desire to help your
Congress.
Mr. Adams. That is correct.
Mr. Doylj:. As I say, I couldn't \\e\p but notice that you didn't take
time to relate that you have come to the conclusion for those or any
other reasons you felt perha})S it was your duty and ])rivilege to help
this committee against subversive activity. We have not forced you
to say a word today, you volunteered.
Mr. Adams. I see what you are getting at, Congressman. My differ-
ence of opinion developed with the Communists in 1945 and 1946 ; it
hasn't clianged. However, my attitude toward committees is this, and
my attitude toward the right of Congress to sponsor committees has
not changed in that respect, and certainly when you come here with
the force of the Federal Government behind you and with all that that
entails it would be very easy for me to say, well, Congressman — and
as a lawyer you appreciate this — I shall rely on the fifth amendment
and will tell you nothing. However, I don't believe that anything that
I ever did in my life would tend to incriminate me in any degree, so
therefore personally I could not in good moral conscience rely on the
fifth amendment as to my own activity.
However, I think it is moral — in other words, I feel that there is
only room for one kiss-and-tell man in California, and I think that the
Federal Government is morally wrong to force me, under the threat
cf criminal prosecution, to do what you have forced me to do today. I
think that it is morally wrong for Congress to do it. However, that is
my opinion and Congress disagrees with me, so I am not about to put
myself in a position where you can go to the Federal Attorney General
and indict me and have the case grind along up through the Federal
courts of the United States, because life is too short to go through that.
Mr. Doyle. In other words, 435 men may be right ?
Mr. Adams. Or they may be wrong,
Mr. Doyle. And you may be right or you may be wrong?
Mr, Adams. That is correct, only history will say, Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Doyle. Thank you very much.
Mr. Adams. Thank you, sir.
Mr. Doyle. Now, one more question: AVhat year was it you were
expelled from the Communist Party the second time?
Mr. Adams. I was expelled in the early part of 104G.
Mr. Jackson. Let me say, Mr. Adams, that it was not economic
consideration ; it was not men who were unem]^loyed, who were hun-
gry, who stole from the top-secret files of this Government the secrets
which might well cost the Yixes of untold millions of people. These
7074 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
were men wlio were dedicated to the destruction of the American
constitutional form of government. They were not the hungry itin-
erants on park benches to which you had reference ; these were men —
Alger Hiss, Harry Dexter AVhite, Lauchlin Currie, men of that stripe —
to whom this counti'y had given every conceivable advantage; men
who were drawing their stipend from the very Government they
were attempting to destroy. I think this committee and other com-
mittees are doing a disagreeable job. It is no pleasure for us to hale
before us an intelligent man of ability such as yourself and to be
charged in some quarters with persecution. We are appointed to
these committees. I think the record should show that the basis for
your citation was not that we were at all interested in persecuting
you or sending you to jail. It was in the Supreme Court finding,
United States v. Rogers, in explaining your own participation in
what has been found to be a conspiracy, and in declining further to
discuss the activities of others you have waived your immunity. Had
you not been cited by CongTess, we would be placed in the position
of having to overlook in the future every witness who appeared before
us and refused to answer questions. There is no personal animus
today as between the members of this subcommittee and yourself on
our part. I want that in the record — that this is not a clash of
personalities.
Mr. Adams. May I say, Mr. Jackson, that I fully understand as
much as you, and, although I might disagree, I would certainly have
no personal animosity toward you, and I feel that you have no per-
sonal animosity toward me, as much as I might deplore your political
inclination and as much as you might deplore my political convic-
tions. Now, to go back, you are, I believe you said, a member of the
Armed Services Committee.
Mr. Jackson. No; I am not. Mr, Doyle is.
INIr. Adams. You are aware that our Government spends literally
millions and possibly in the billions at the present time in an elfort
to secure information from our potential enemies. We set up spy
systems, they set up spy systems, and when you talk about the people
who stole the secrets, whether they stole them through an ideological
conviction that they were doing something right or whether they stole
because they were bought and paid for, I have no knowledge of that,
but I will say this thing I spoke about before where this constant hate
between people and countries is being engendered, certainly hatred
is the most dangerous thing. I wouldn't be surprised to open the
newspaper and find that top officials in our Government have been
disclosed as spies because it is entirely possible. It doesn't spring
entirely from the thing that you believe it does, and that is why I
think that frankly your committee is like a flivver in the snow — it is
just spinning its wheels getting no place.
Mr, Jackson. Well, we uncover a little mud. Let me say this: A
gi'eat many people have been concerned for many, many years not
over any pro])ensity which might plunge tlie world into another war.
I think we who served in war abhor it more than the men who take
the soapboxes. In the words of Lenin himself, "It is inconceivable
that the Soviet Union and the United States can long exist in the same
world."
Mr, Adams. Mr. Jackson, I have forgotten more about communism
that you ever knew, and I fully appreciate what Lenin says, and I
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 7075
fully appreciate that socialism and communism shall not exist even-
tually side by side. Eventually one of the other is going to have to
conquer. Inevitably I think there is going to be a terrific clash. All
I am i^leading for is a little sanity to see if there isn't some way out
of the predicament the world is in.
Mr. Jackson. We will try to proceed in a nonhysterical fashion.
Mr. Adams. I can also quote you any number of officials who say
capitalism can't exist with communism, so the leaders on both sides,
I believe, have said that we can't live in the same world together.
Mr. Jackson. Of course, we don't have prophets in this system who
fall into the same category as Lenin does in the galax;^ of the Corn-
munist state. We have people voicing all sorts of opinions in this
country, and that is a good condition. This is academic to the extent
that a couple of us are going to miss a plane.
Mr. Adams. After the First World War the Russians went Com-
munist; the Second World War Eastern Europe went Communist;
subsequent thereto China went Communist; subsequently we have
lost part of Indochina. We didn't succeed in Korea. My thesis is
war breeds communism. The first thing they should try to do is stop
war.
Mr. Doyle. May I make this remark, Mr. Chairman, in closing,
to Mr. Adams. I am sure any lawyer will understand it. I hope the
time will come in your life, in your rich experience, when you will not
leave your appearance before this committee and make a reappearance
on the basis of the possible outcome of a contempt citation and in-
dictment. In other Avords, I hope the time will come with you, be-
cause there are great opportunities in your profession because you
have great opportunities for leadership, and I hope that your leader-
ship will be directed in point of cooperating with the lawful pro-
cedures of your own Nation, even to the extent of helping congressional
committees trying to do a difficult job in a fair manner, rather than
just doing it as a matter of saving yourself inconveniences.
Mr. Adams. Thank you, Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Jackson. Is there anything further ?
JSIr. Wheeler. Nothing further, sir. •
Mr. Jackson. The subcommittee will direct the reporter, in addi-
tion to the regular number of copies, that he furnish a copy to the
Office of the Attorney General of the United States, and the United
States attorney in Los Angeles.
Thanks from the committee. You are excused from further appear-
ance under the subpena.
Mr. Adams. Thank you.
Mr. Jackson. At this time both Mr. Doyle and I would like to
thank the audience in the hearing room for their fine deportment dur-
ing the course of the day; also our thanks to the sheriff's office and
the office of the chief of police, the San Diego Police Department, for
the officers who have been on duty here in the hearing room, to the
chamber of commerce for their kindness in making this room available
to us today for our hearing.
With that the subcommittee will stand in adjournment subject to
call of the Chair.
(Whereupon the subcommittee adjourned, subject to the call of the
Chair.)
INDEX TO PART 11
Individuals
Pag«
Acanfora, Viucent William 7046-7047 (testimony)
Adams, George Richard Earl 7021.7000-7075 (testimony)
Akerstein, Lynn 7021,7022-7043 (testimony)
Anguis, Robert Samuel 7052-7055 (testimony)
Angus, Bob ^52
Baker, Euos 7030, 7066
Baudette 7062
Bayme, Carol 7(>48
Baker, Marian A. (Mrs. Raymond Baker) 7057-7059 (testimony)
Baker, Raymond Foss 70.55
Baldwin, Bereniece 70-58
Benson, Josephine I06i'>, 7067
Berman. Mildred • 7044, 70.53
Blodsett. Charles David 7035
Boehm. Jeff 7027. 7032
Browder. Earl 7067
Buchanan. Dave 7066, 7067
Carpadakis, John 7049-7052 (testimony)
Currie, Lanchlin 7074
Crittenden, Wilma 7032
Davis, Sam 7063
Decker, Frances 7064-7066, 7069
Dovle, Bernadette 7030, 7031, 7033, 7034
Edwards, W. L 7068
Elston, Lura Stevenson 7058,7059-7060 (testimony)
Fisher, John 7063
Gatewood. Ernestine 7027
Gibson, Lolita 7024, 7032
Cooler 7063
Griffin, Nathaniel 7053, 7054
Haddock, Benlamin 7071
Hagen. Oliver B. (Red) 7065
Hamlin. Lloyd 7024, 7021, 7031, 7032, 7046, 7048, 7050, 7059, 7060, 7066
Hancock, Stanley 7053
Hartle. Barbara 7028
Hiss, Alger 7074
Hull, Morgan 7024, 7065, 7068, 7069
Lang, John 7068
Lang. Rita (Mrs. John Lang) 7068
Lewie. Himja 7068
Lohr, George 7066, 7068-7071
Lund, Nancy Rosenfeld (see also Rosenfeld, Nancy) 7030,7066
Macki, Martin 7063
Mclsaac, Malcolm 7063
Morkowski. Ray 7032, 7033, 7044. 7067
Nygaard. Emil 7062
O'Brien, Blanche 7023. 7032
O'Brien. Jack 70.32, 7033
Pope, Betty (Mrs. William Pope) 7065
Pope, William 7065
Porter, John W 7043, 7046, 7049, 7052, 7055. 7057, 70.59
Roger.s. A. C. Sr 7026, 7027
Rosen, Obed Alexander (Whitey) 704.3-7046 (testimony),
7051, 7055, 7056, 7058
i
ii INDEX
Page
Rosenfeld, Nancy (see also Lund, Nancy Rosenfeld) 7066
Ross, Nat 7063, 7064
Salisbury, Wayne 7056
Saltis, John 7063
Sleeth, Paul Edwin, Jr 7047-7049 (testimony)
Smith, Harry 7063
Snyder, John 7062
Steinmetz, Harry 7029, 7030
Stevenson, Lura 7066, 7067
Tantilla, Raino 7062
Wallace, Henry 7026, 7027
Weigert, Helga (Mrs. George Lohr) 7069, 7071
White, Harry Dexter 7074
White, Robert 7053
Organizations
CIO 7023
CIO Council, San Diego 7032
California Labor School 7022
Carleton College 7056
Communist Party :
California :
Central Committee 7054
Linda Vista Club 7050
Logan Heights Branch 7065-7067
National City-Chula Vista Club 7047
San Diego 7032, 7066, 7069
San Diego County 7031, 7033, 7071
Liberator branch 7044
San Diego County Committee 7030, 7066
San Diego, Morgan Hull Club 7024, 7025, 7027, 7028, 7032
South Bay Club 7067
State Convention 7053
Michigan 7058
Minnesota 7061-7064
Communist Political Association 7066
California, South Bay unit 7066
San Diego County 7071
Community Book Store, San Diego, Calif 7068
Consolidated Aircraft Co 7050
Cooks and Waitresses Union 7067
Federal Bureau of Investigation 7024, 7071
Federal Housing Administration 7022, 7023, 7025
Goodwill Industries, San Diego 7047, 7049
Independent Progressive Party 7022, 7025, 7027-7029, 7031-7037
San Diego 7034
International Union of Marine Cooks and Stewards 7022
Michigan State College 7057
Northwestern University 7043
Progessive Citizens of America 7022, 7026, 7027, 7031, 7033
Rohr Aircraft 7046
Ryan Aircraft Co 7032, 7043, 7044
Santa Monica Junior College 7047
State Department 7071
UCLA 7043
United Office and Professional Workers 7023
United Public Workers of America 7023
Works Projects Administration 7063
Publications
Federated Press 7072
San Diego Evening Tribune 7052
San Diego Journal 7032
San Diego Union 7032
o
BOSTON PUBUCLJBBABV
III
3 9999 05445 4606
Boston Public Library
Central Library, Copley Square
Division of
Reference and Research Services
Social Sciences
Department
The Date Due Card in the pocket indi-
cates the date on or before which this
book should be returned to the Library.
Please do not remove cards from this
pocket.
SP^ 1 7 1958
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11