Mr. TAVENNER. The witness who preceded you a few moments ago, Mr. Eugene V. Dennett, described his disagreement with the Communist Party in connection with its policy toward the Civil Rights Congress. He told the committee that the Communist Party had organized the Civil Rights Congress, but that he disagreed with the policy of forming an organization which would defend only Communists. And, for that reason, he incurred the wrath of his superiors in the Communist Party. He further testified that he was told by the leadership of the Communist Party that it didn’t have time to protect the civil rights of people generally, but it was only interested in the civil rights of members of the Communist Party. Now it is our information that you held an official position in the Civil Rights Congress. I may be wrong about that. But surely you were in a position to know whether or not Mr. Dennett was telling the truth about the attitude of the Communist Party toward the Civil Rights Congress or the work of the Civil Rights Congress. Mr. FREYD. I should like to confer with my attorney. (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. FREYD. I invoke the first amendment and the fifth amendment for the reasons previously stated. And I may add that I am pleased to notice that there has been very widespread doubt expressed prominently in the press about the veracity of a witness testifying before this committee. Mr. TAVENNER. If you have any doubt about that you are now in a position to straighten the committee out on it. In what particular, if any, was Mr. Dennett in error in his testimony? Mr. FREYD. I would like to confer with my counsel. (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. FREYD. I claim, again, the first and fifth amendments of the Constitution, and I wish to add that I am reluctant to answer any questions which would require me to claim the protection of the first and fifth amendments. Mr. TAVENNER. Are you now a member of the Communist Party? Mr. FREYD. The answer is the same, for the same reason. Mr. TAVENNER. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? Mr. FREYD. The answer is the same, and for the same reason. Mr. TAVENNER. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman. Mr. MOULDER. Any questions, Mr. Velde? Mr. VELDE. No questions. Mr. MOULDER. The witness is excused. (Whereupon the witness was excused.) Mr. MOULDER. Call the next witness, Mr. Tavenner. Mr. HATTEN. Mr. Chairman? Mr. MOULDER. Yes. Mr. HATTEN. While I am here may I address the Chair with reference to the O’Connell matter again? Mr. MOULDER. Yes. STATEMENT OF C. T. HATTEN, ATTORNEY AT LAW, SEATTLE, WASH. Mr. HATTEN. I notice that on a number of witnesses the subpenas have been continued, and I would like to formally move that the subpena in case of Jerry O’Connell be continued to some later date at which time his health might be better. Mr. MOULDER. The committee cannot entertain your motion. Mr. HATTEN. I merely would like to make it for the record.