Investigation of Communist Activities in Seattle, Wash., Area, Hearings, Part 1 — John Shaqi
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. I have conferred with Mr. Wheeler, and I have
expressed the idea to Mr. Tavenner that I think that it is a mistaken
idea to refer to me as a cooperative witness or to refer to another
witness as an uncooperative witness. I am here to testify to facts
that I know. And I think that the question of cooperation is sometimes
subject to misconstruction.
And the reason I say that, is because the other day while I was
conferring with Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Tavenner and my counsel, I received
a phone call, and this phone call had a conversation of two words that
came from the other end. A person said, “Rat--stool pigeon.”
I am sorry that people who have been my friends over the years cannot
see that I feel that it is my duty and my obligation to testify as to
facts. I am sorry that they feel as embarrassed or bitter as they do.
I suppose before these hearings are over I will probably have as many
people hate me as people even know me. That is not my concern.
I recognize that we do have some major problems to resolve, and I am
fully aware that the Congress of the United States has made efforts in
many different directions, many of which I am not in agreement with.
But I think that I do owe the obligation to you gentlemen and to the
Congress and to my fellow Americans, that to the best of my knowledge,
I will give you the benefit of my knowledge and my experience, and we
will just let the chips fall where they may.
Mr. VELDE. I don’t want to become involved in an argument with
you.
Mr. DENNETT. I don’t either.
I wanted to take an opportunity to say that, so I said it.
Mr. VELDE. In my use of the word cooperate, and saying that
the great majority of the labor unions cooperated with us, possibly I
did misuse the term, but I wanted to again express my appreciation for
the way they responded, let us say, to the evidence we produced here at
the last hearings.
Mr. MOULDER. I would like to say I think you are entitled
to be complimented, and to the respect of the Congress of the United
States and fellow American citizens, for the sincere and conscientious
manner in which you are now testifying as to the facts.
Mr. DENNETT. Thank you, sir.
Mr. VELDE. I think you will find, Mr. Dennett, that you will
have a lot more friends now after you get through testifying in this
area than you had when you relied on the fifth amendment and refused to
answer questions at a previous hearing.
Mr. DENNETT. Without trying to prolong this, I would just say
that I feel a keen obligation to one group of people, and that is the
fellows that I work with on the job. The fellows that I have worked
closest with have always had confidence in my integrity, and even when
I have been under the sharpest attacks they have remained confident
that my integrity would stand up.
Mr. MOULDER. You should have more of them now.
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