(The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. CARLSON. Mr. Chairman, I would like to explain that there are 3 branches of the machinists union in the city of Seattle. (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. CARLSON. Which one do you mean? Mr. WHEELER. Any one of the three. (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. CARLSON. I must invoke the fifth amendment to that question, and refuse to answer. Mr. WHEELER. Are you presently employed? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. CARLSON. I am unemployed at the present time. Mr. WHEELER. I would like to read a telegram. This telegram was sent by one Ed Carlson, member of the machinists union, is so identified, and appears in part 11 (appendix), page 6748, of the hearings held here in June 1954. It is dated Seattle, Wash., June 19, 1954, and addressed to the Velde committee, Seattle. DEAR SIRS: I see by the paper that Mrs. Hartle names one Ed Carlson as a member of the Communist Party in the machinists union. I presume I am the individual referred to. So that the record is straight, let me insert this into the record for all to see and hear. It did not take me 20 years to decide that the Communist Party was not the answer to the problems as I see them. In fact, I am very nearly positive it was Mrs. Hartle who tried to persuade me to reconsider my decision to discontinue my affiliations, which is now approximately 5 years ago. I do believe that my many friends and acquaintances are entitled to this additional clarification of the facts. Sincerely, ED CARLSON, _Member of Machinists Union_. Did you send that telegram, Mr. Carlson? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. CARLSON. Yes; I did. Mr. WHEELER. Were you a member of the Communist Party? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. CARLSON. Will you specify the date that you are referring to? Mr. WHEELER. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. CARLSON. Mr. Chairman, I am not a member of the Communist Party today. But in regards to whether I ever have been one, the answer may tend to incriminate me, and I refuse to answer. Mr. MOULDER. In other words, during the past 5 years, as I understand the telegram, you have not been a member of the Communist Party? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. CARLSON. Yes; that is correct. Mr. MOULDER. In other words, 5 years ago you disassociated yourself from any connection with the Communist Party movement. Is that so? Approximately 5 years ago? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. MOULDER. It all amounts to the same thing since you answered the question by simply saying that during the last 5 years you have not been associated with the Communist Party, as I understand it from your attempt or your endeavor to clear yourself here. And that I would certainly like to see you do.