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. O’CONNELL. I don’t know whether it was, that grant or any
other grant. I know there was some argument and some consultation with
me by Mr. Daschbach about it and I was very specific--I think that was
before the grant was made--and I was very specific with him that no
part of the grant would be used for any other purpose than that for
which it was made. That was the Pacific Northwest Labor School.
Mr. TAVENNER. Was John Daschbach an official of the Civil
Rights Congress in Seattle?
Mr. O’CONNELL. If I remember correctly, I left Seattle, I
don’t remember when the Civil Rights Congress was organized in Seattle,
but as I remember when I left Seattle Daschbach was then functioning as
head or director of the Washington Civil Rights Congress.
Mr. TAVENNER. Did he hold that position at the time he spoke
to you about the use of proceeds of the grant for the Civil Rights
Congress?
Mr. O’CONNELL. I don’t think I would be able to say whether he
was actually in the position at that time. I can’t recall. I remember
at the time that he asked me about the grant they were closing out,
they were terminating this Seattle Labor School and they had borrowed
money from particularly various labor union members about the town. I
remember I think it was either Frank or Fred Carlson to whom they owed
money and other people, I can’t remember precisely who they were now,
but anyway the representations made to me in connection with the grant
were they were trying to close out the labor school and pay off their
debts and pay I think back salaries that were owed to Mr. Daschbach and
to some others there, I don’t know who.
Mr. TAVENNER. Was John Daschbach known to you to be a member
of the Communist Party?
Mr. O’CONNELL. I never knew John Daschbach was a member of the
Communist Party.
Mr. TAVENNER. Had you heard that he was a member of the
Communist Party?
Mr. O’CONNELL. I had never heard that he was a member of the
Communist Party. I actually, my first, I think the first time I met
Mr. Daschbach was in Spokane and I think he was attending Gonzaga
University, a Jesuit university in Spokane, and as far as I knew
personally, I didn’t know he was a Communist, didn’t know whether he
was or was not.
Mr. TAVENNER. You are aware now, are you not, that he has been
identified by a number of witnesses as a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. O’CONNELL. I couldn’t say that I know that precisely; but
I do know he was indicted as a Smith Act defendant in Seattle.
Mr. TAVENNER. And convicted.
Mr. O’CONNELL. And convicted. I don’t know whether he is in
prison now.
Mr. TAVENNER. Do you recall what individual it was in the
National Lawyers Guild who solicited an award from the trustees?
Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, my best recollection as far as that would
be concerned is that it was Mr. Martin Popper, who was an attorney in
New York.
Mr. TAVENNER. Did the executive secretary of the National
Lawyers Guild take any part in representations or solicitations
regarding the grant?
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