Investigation of Communist Activities in Seattle, Wash., Area, Hearings, Part 1United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
History
Investigation of Communist Activities in Seattle, Wash., Area, Hearings, Part 1
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
Communism -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
Mr. DENNETT. Well, I think I mentioned earlier--if I didn’t,
I should at this time--that there was a young woman by the name of
Helen Quist who represented the Young Communist League, who went
to Bellingham at approximately the same time I did, and who gave
invaluable help in the organization of both the Young Communist League
and the Communist Party. She was a member of both, and she was my
closest and ablest assistant for quite a period of time in Bellingham.
Mr. TAVENNER. Will you spell the name, please?
Mr. DENNETT. Q-u-i-s-t, Helen Quist.
When I arrived, the local leadership of the Communist Party consisted
of a person by the name of Martin Olson. And I hope that if there are
any Martin Olsons who hear of that that they will not worry too much
because there are so many Martin Olsons in this area.
But this particular Martin Olson was an unemployed logger at that time.
Mr. TAVENNER. In light of your statement then, can you give
further identifying information in regard to Mr. Olson so that there
will be no confusion as to the “Olson” referred to?
Mr. DENNETT. All I can say is that he was a man of small
stature, was an unemployed logger at that time. That is about all I can
use for description.
There was a person by the name of George Smith in Bellingham. He at
that time operated a little hotel which he owned.
Mr. TAVENNER. What was his activity?
Mr. DENNETT. He was just a member of the sectarian group that
just sat around and were satisfied that as long as they had a pure
line everything was rosy. The fact that they didn’t do anything about
it didn’t seem to disturb them too much. They were satisfied that they
were following the straight and narrow path.
Mr. TAVENNER. What do you mean by straight and narrow path?
Mr. DENNETT. They sat around and agreed among themselves that
the Communist Party line was absolutely right.
Mr. TAVENNER. I wanted to be sure that the path you mentioned
was the Communist Party path.
Mr. DENNETT. True. There was another person by the name of
Arthur Sinclair. I have heard since that he subsequently was deported
to Canada.
There was an older fellow by the name of Engstrom, but I do not recall
his first name.
Mr. TAVENNER. Let me suggest this to you: If any of the
persons whose names you are giving withdrew from the Communist Party,
or if you have any facts indicating a change of affiliation, I think
you should give those facts to us.
Mr. DENNETT. Well, I have no knowledge of any of these people
whom I have mentioned having done so.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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