Investigation of Communist activities in Seattle, Wash., Area, Hearings, Part 2United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
History
Investigation of Communist activities in Seattle, Wash., Area, Hearings, Part 2
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
Communism -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
Mr. DENNETT. I would add to that, sir, if I may, please, that it is
necessary that members do more than attend meetings. I mean they must
have some adequate conception of the purpose of their organization.
Just like in the conduct of the affairs of the Government of the United
States, I don’t think it is sufficient for persons to be elected as
Congressmen and then just sit there. I think they have got to know
what the Constitution of the United States provides, and I think they
have to be the guardians to make certain that everybody abides by it,
and that they abide by it themselves and insist that their own members
abide by it.
I think that the question of a member just being a member of an
organization and just being a card-carrying member is not sufficient.
Likewise, it is not sufficient to have representatives of government
just be present. Being present isn’t enough. They have to understand
what they are there for. And pursue their purpose of representing their
constituents.
I say that as a comparison because the two things are similar. There is
an identity.
Our greatest democratic practice occurs in the organizations which are
not directly associated with government as such.
Mr. MOULDER. That applies, as you have said, to unions and
organizations social or otherwise, as well as the general election of
the United States where probably only 65 percent of the people go to
the polls and vote.
Mr. TAVENNER. A very simple way of expressing what you have said is
that people should be informed.
Mr. DENNETT. They must be informed.
And I am strictly opposed to secret negotiations, whether it occurs
between employers and unions, whether it occurs between heads of
organizations, or whether it occurs in international affairs. I think
that the only safeguard that we have that the rights of the people will
not be trespassed upon is when everything is out in the open.
I am willing to admit that until an agreement is arrived at, until a
conclusion is reached, it may be necessary to conduct the negotiations
or the conferences with a limited amount of access to public
discussion. That may be so. I am not prepared to say that everything
must be done in a goldfish bowl. But I am very insistent in my own
conviction and in my own practices, at least for the past several
years, that anything I do is going to be out in the open where the
whole world can take a look at it. If they don’t like it they can say
so. And if that is the way they feel about it, fine. I’ll step aside
and retire. But if they do approve it, let them go ahead.
Mr. MOULDER. When discussing the Washington Commonwealth Federation
yesterday, did you give an estimate of 5,500 as being, in your opinion,
the total Communist Party membership in the State of Washington or in
this district?
Mr. DENNETT. I said at that time there were approximately 5,500 members
at one time in 1 year. I think it was 1938.
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