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
It is my own feeling, however, that the average member of the party is
completely unaware of the nature of the discipline. They only come in
contact with surface scratches of it.
Mr. TAVENNER. This document also refers to the importance of
establishing cells of the Communist Party among the professions, such
as the doctors and the lawyers; does it not?
Mr. DENNETT. Yes.
The attitude of the party was simply that it must win the majority of
the working class to support its position. To do so often required the
aid and assistance of prominent people.
Now this is a political tactic which every political group uses. This
is not something peculiar to the Communists, but they used it quite
effectively.
Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. Chairman, I think that this document
warrants a great deal of study and analysis. It should be analyzed,
and the contents of it put into this record. It would take too long to
attempt to do it through answer-and-question form.
Mr. DENNETT. Well, it has roots in the fundamental theory of
the Communist movement, which actually should be pursued when you have
time and leisure to do so. It is not something that lends itself to
this meeting.
Mr. MOULDER. It has been admitted as an exhibit, and, by order
of the committee, if it is agreeable with Congressman Velde, consent
will be given to counsel to read such portions as he wishes to read at
this point.
Mr. VELDE. May I ask counsel, have we ever had a similar
document to this one?
Mr. TAVENNER. I was so impressed with the contents of this
document, Mr. Chairman, that I called our Washington office. I received
a reply this morning that there is neither a copy nor a record of this
document in the files of the committee.
I am unable to state without further study whether there is anything
of a similar character. But this document certainly goes into detail.
It is much plainer in its purposes than anything I have seen on the
subject.
Mr. MOULDER. How many pages are there in the document?
Mr. TAVENNER. It is 26 pages in length. However, the exhibit
covered page 1 and pages 17 through 26.
Mr. MOULDER. How do you refer to that exhibit?
Mr. TAVENNER. That is Dennett Exhibit No. 1. It is so marked.
Mr. MOULDER. From whom did you receive this document?
Mr. DENNETT. I received it when I was district agitprop
director in the district.
Mr. MOULDER. And do you know the source of it?
Mr. DENNETT. It came through the mail from the central
committee.
Mr. MOULDER. The central committee of what?
Mr. DENNETT. Of the Communist Party in New York City.
Mr. MOULDER. Let me ask you the date you received it.
Approximately in what year?
Mr. DENNETT. It must have been in about 1932.
Mr. TAVENNER. How long were you engaged in the work of an
organizer at Bellingham?
Mr. DENNETT. Approximately 1 year. The latter part of 1932
through the early part of 1933.
Mr. TAVENNER. Did you have any experience in youth work within
the Communist Party while you were at Bellingham?
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