Mr. WHEELER. I would like to refer to a document entitled “Investigation of Communist Activities in the Pacific Northwest, Part 3,” page 6173. It is the testimony of Barbara Hartle in June 1954. She is identifying members of the Communist Party, and I quote the following: Jack Bitterman, then husband of Ruth Bitterman, was a member of this section in the machinists’ branch, and was for a time chairman of that branch. Do you wish to make any comment on that testimony? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. BITTERMAN. I invoke the fifth amendment, on the same grounds previously stated. Mr. VELDE. Mr. Wheeler is not asking you to confirm or deny it, but asked merely if you wanted to make some comment on it. Why do you take the fifth amendment on that question? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. BITTERMAN. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds. Mr. WHEELER. Were you chairman of the machinists’ branch of the Communist Party? Mr. BITTERMAN. I decline to answer that question on the same grounds previously stated. Mr. WHEELER. Mr. Chairman, I see no reason for asking further questions. The witness is invoking the fifth amendment. Mr. MOULDER. Mr. Velde? Mr. VELDE. I have no questions. Mr. MOULDER. Are you now a member of the Communist Party? Mr. BITTERMAN. No. Mr. MOULDER. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. BITTERMAN. I will again invoke the fifth amendment. Mr. MOULDER. You say you are not now a member of the Communist Party. Were you a member of the Communist Party a year ago? Mr. BITTERMAN. I will again invoke the fifth amendment for fear it might incriminate me. Mr. MOULDER. Were you a member of the Communist Party a month ago? Mr. BITTERMAN. I will again invoke the fifth amendment on the grounds previously stated. Mr. MOULDER. Would you say a week ago? Mr. BITTERMAN. I will again invoke the fifth amendment. Mr. MOULDER. How about yesterday? Mr. BITTERMAN. The same answer. Mr. MOULDER. But you are not a member today? Mr. BITTERMAN. I am not a member today. Mr. MOULDER. The witness is excused. Mr. VELDE. I would like to go a little further. Were you a member of the Communist Party an hour ago? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. BITTERMAN. No, I was not. Mr. VELDE. Were you a member of the Communist Party 5 hours ago? Mr. BITTERMAN. No. Mr. VELDE. When did you leave the Communist Party? Mr. BITTERMAN. As to that I invoke the fifth amendment. Mr. VELDE. Were you a member of the Communist Party at midnight last night? Mr. BITTERMAN. No, I was not. Mr. VELDE. How about 11 o’clock last night? (The witness confers with his counsel.) Mr. BITTERMAN. I will invoke the fifth amendment to that question. Mr. VELDE. I think that is close enough, is it not, Mr. Chairman? Mr. MOULDER. The witness is excused. (Whereupon the witness was excused.) Mr. MOULDER. Counsel, call the next witness.