It is immaterial to me, however. I think that my decision was correct because before the year was over we changed the situation until we had approximately 150 members in the Communist Party, and the unemployed movement was under the leadership of the people’s councils, and practically all of our people were in those people’s councils exerting an influence in them. It was not a decisive influence but it was an influence, and it did have a lasting effect because we recruited some people who later rose to great heights in the party, and they served the party very well and ably and as devotedly as they knew how. Mr. MOULDER. Mr. Tavenner, we will resume the hearings after the noon recess. It is now 12 o’clock. Congressman Velde, do you wish to make a statement before taking the noon recess? Mr. VELDE. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think that most of us remember our hearings last June as a result of which two witnesses who appeared before us were cited for contempt. I was very pleased and happy to learn that both of these witnesses, who were unanimously cited for contempt by the House of Representatives, were found guilty. I want at this point to express my appreciation to Judge Bolt, to United States Attorney Moriarty, and United States Attorney C. E. Luckey for the promptness and efficiency and fairness exhibited during the trial of these two cases. We all remember that the witness, George Tony Starkovich, was one of the most contumacious witnesses who has ever appeared before this committee in my experience. I certainly hope that the Supreme Court, upon his appeal--while he certainly has the right of appeal--will affirm the decision of the United States district court. Mr. MOULDER. Thank you, Mr. Velde. Mr. Dennett, you will return promptly at 1:30. The committee will stand in recess until 1:30 o’clock. (Whereupon, at 12 o’clock noon, the subcommittee was recessed, to reconvene at 1:30 p. m.) AFTERNOON SESSION, MARCH 17, 1955 Mr. MOULDER. The committee will be in order. Is Mr. Jerry O’Connell in the hearing room? (There was no response.) Mr. MOULDER. Will the officer standing at the door call for Jerry O’Connell in the corridor. (There was no response.) Mr. MOULDER. Proceed, Mr. Tavenner. TESTIMONY OF EUGENE VICTOR DENNETT, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS COUNSEL, KENNETH A. MacDONALD--Resumed Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. Dennett, you were describing to the committee the formation of the unemployed councils in Bellingham and the success which the Communist Party had in having its members become members of that organization. You also described for us in a general way the extent of influence that the Communist Party had in those organizations, in those councils, by reason of having its own members become members of the councils. I ask you why the Communist Party was interested, and why it made a fight to get its own members into these unemployed councils. What was the purpose of it?