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
Mr. TAVENNER. Do you recall from that letter, and the
discussions which you have just mentioned, that Lem Harris, whom I
have identified from the committee files as a person prominent in the
agricultural section of the Communist Party, was himself attempting to
decide what awards or what grants the trustees of the foundation should
make to the National Farmers Union?
Mr. O’CONNELL. I don’t recall as far as I am concerned any
influence on me. I voted as far as I was concerned on those grants the
way I wanted to.
Mr. TAVENNER. I understand that, but I am asking you about
your knowledge and what you learned in the course of the performance of
your duties as a trustee.
Mr. O’CONNELL. As far as Lem Harris was concerned, I never
heard anything about Lem Harris’ influence or anything.
Mr. TAVENNER. You have just told us there was a great
disturbance in 1950 when this information became public.
Mr. O’CONNELL. Over the Gardner Jackson letter; yes.
Mr. TAVENNER. So you did not know something about it in 1950?
Mr. O’CONNELL. Yes; but I mean from 1950 on there had been no
meetings of the Robert Marshall Foundation.
Mr. TAVENNER. Let me quote further from this same letter, in
which Mr. Gardner Jackson is addressing Mr. Patton:
I do not have to recall to your mind--
meaning Mr. Patton’s mind--
Lem Harris’ visit to you in Denver a few years ago to tell you that
of the total amount of money remaining in the Marshall Foundation,
the National Farmers Union would be allowed so much and to ask you
as president of the National Farmers Union how you wanted that sum
spread over the ensuing few years.
Lem Harris is not a trustee of that fund.
Do you know anything about that? Does that refresh your recollection?
Mr. O’CONNELL. It doesn’t mean anything to me. I was not close
to Patton of course. I don’t know what he was doing as far as Lem
Harris was concerned, I mean I just don’t know anything about that. I
am telling you that very frankly.
Mr. TAVENNER. You have been very positive in your statements
that no awards or grants were made by this foundation which might be
construed as being grants to or for the benefit of the Communist Party.
That has been the inference of your testimony.
Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, that is what I am trying--of course the
questions all have been with reference to the economic system based on
production for use rather than for profit.
Mr. TAVENNER. That is right.
Mr. O’CONNELL. And all that.
Mr. TAVENNER. You trustees had very broad powers to determine
what organization you would aid in the purpose of this trust which was,
namely, to promote an economic system in the United States based upon
profit for use. I am trying to find out how you exercised those broad
powers.
Mr. O’CONNELL. Those powers were exercised by different
trustees.
Mr. TAVENNER. Of which you were one.
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