Investigation of Communist activities in Seattle, Wash., area. Hearings, Part 3United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
History
Investigation of Communist activities in Seattle, Wash., area. Hearings, Part 3
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
Communism -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
I was asked by--I am pretty sure the man’s name was Peter Shipka, who
was the officer of the International Workers Order, who asked me if I
would advise with the lodge and if I would help them try to straighten
out the difficulties so that the lodge could go ahead.
After that I was sent down to the State of Colorado or asked by them
to go down to the State of Colorado where I think about 11 members of
the IWO had applied for their citizenship papers in a little town I
think called Steamboat Springs, Colo., and the Federal judge who was
hearing the citizenship matter at that time was in my opinion confusing
the IWO with the IWW, and I was asked and again I wouldn’t be sure who
the national officer of the IWO was, but my best recollection at the
time--and I think that was in 1940 or 1941 or 1942, it was a long
time ago--asked me to go down there and I talked with the judge and
with the examiner and also brought a Mr. Cunningham who I think was
either the State auditor or the secretary of state, but was ex officio
commissioner of insurance of the State of Colorado, to show the judge
the IWO was actually a fraternal benefit society and had no connection
with the IWW.
Then later, I can’t remember what year, the IWO was promoting what they
called a Plan for Plenty, which was in essence an improvement on the
present social security, or I mean on the social security system as it
existed at that time.
I made speeches at various IWO lodges in different parts of the country
speaking on the Plan for Plenty, explaining the legislative detail in
connection with it.
Mr. TAVENNER. Who made arrangements with you to conduct this
nationwide speaking tour that you mentioned?
Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, it is so long ago, it is hard for
me--there are just two names that stick out in my memory as far as the
IWO is concerned and the only two I can remember are Peter Shipka,
the treasurer, and if I remember correctly they had an attorney named
Joseph Brodsky. Those are the two names that stick out in my mind.
Mr. TAVENNER. Was Joseph Brodsky from New York?
Mr. O’CONNELL. Yes; he was from New York.
Mr. TAVENNER. What compensation did you receive while engaged
in that work for the IWO?
Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, at the time it was very minimal, I can
remember that. I would say that as far as--it would amount, in my
opinion, for the small period of time I was involved, which I would say
was a period of a few months, I would say on the average of about $200
a month. It was not very long.
Mr. TAVENNER. And your expenses?
Mr. O’CONNELL. And my expenses; yes. As I remember, they were
quite restrictive on the expenses; if I remember correctly.
Mr. TAVENNER. Do I understand that your connection with the
IWO was one of employment rather than one of an official character? Is
that correct?
Mr. O’CONNELL. That is correct. I think that would be the best
way to describe it.
Mr. TAVENNER. For how long a period were you employed by the
IWO?
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