Mr. WHEELER. Mrs. Hartle has advised the committee that you were a functionary of the Queen Anne section of the Communist Party during the years 1943-45. Is she correct in that statement? Mr. DELANEY. May I again confer? Mr. WHEELER. Yes. (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. DELANEY. For reasons previously given, I decline to answer this question. Mr. WHEELER. Our investigation has also developed information that you were chairman of the Hilltop Club of the Communist Party in the year 1948. Is that correct? Mr. VELDE. What was the name of the club? Mr. WHEELER. Hilltop, H-i-l-l-t-o-p. Mr. DELANEY. Pardon me one moment. (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. DELANEY. I decline to answer that question on the grounds previously stated. Mr. WHEELER. Our investigation has also developed that in the year 1943 you were issued Communist Party book No. 28704. I doubt, if you recall the number of the book, but were you issued a Communist Party book in the year 1943 by the Communist Party? Mr. DELANEY. I decline to answer for the reasons previously given. Mr. WHEELER. In the year 1945 were you issued Communist Party book No. 42131. Mr. DELANEY. I also decline to answer that for the reasons previously given. Mr. WHEELER. In the year 1947 were you issued Communist Party book No. 55934 by the Communist Party? Mr. DELANEY. I decline to answer for the same reasons previously given. Mr. WHEELER. Are you a member of the Communist Party today, Mr. Delaney? Mr. DELANEY. I must--I decline to answer that for the reasons previously given. Mr. WHEELER. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman. Mr. MOULDER. Mr. Velde? Mr. VELDE. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? Mr. DELANEY. I must--I mean I decline to answer that. (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. DELANEY. For the reasons previously stated. Mr. VELDE. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman. Mr. MOULDER. Mr. Delaney, we have heard many arguments against persons coming before congressional investigative committees and making accusations or statements concerning other people, and that those people do not have the opportunity to clear themselves or make explanation of the charges made against them, such as Mrs. Hartle has testified concerning you and your activities. This committee has very carefully in each instance given the person so mentioned an opportunity to come before the committee to deny, affirm, or explain the charges made. And that opportunity is being presented to you today by a subpena issued upon you for your appearance here. In reply to the questions propounded to you, I understand you decline to answer because of the protection afforded you under the fifth amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Is that right? Mr. DELANEY. That is correct. Mr. MOULDER. Do you wish to make any explanation, or to deny or affirm any of these statements or charges which were made by Mrs. Hartle concerning your communistic activities?