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. As I remember, I had been down here, as I
said earlier, from March until I returned to Montana to take the bar
examinations, and then I was out there in the State of Montana getting
ready to establish my law practice and I got this wire from Mr.
Silberstein to come back, or to come on down. Now what arrangements
were made to send me funds, I don’t know whether Mr. Silberstein----
Mr. TAVENNER. I hand you a second telegram addressed to you
under date of July 26, 1950, signed “Silberstein,” and charged to the
account of the National Lawyers Guild, and obtained by this committee
in the same manner as the former telegram, reading as follows:
Sorry funds not available here. Proceed other plans.
Does that refresh your recollection?
Mr. O’CONNELL. What this would mean, as far as I can recollect
now, was that of course I informed him I had no funds to come down
here, to fly or whatever it was, and that unless I had them I would not
be able to come and would stay out in the State of Montana.
Mr. TAVENNER. What was meant by that part of the telegram
which suggested that you “proceed other plans?”
Mr. O’CONNELL. The thing, I am sure I can’t remember now but I
am sure I told Mr. Silberstein that I had no funds of my own to advance
to come down to Washington and do any kind of work down here, and that
unless I got funds I would not be able to come.
Mr. TAVENNER. That explanation would not be responsive to the
language of the telegram. The telegram says “proceed other plans.”
Mr. O’CONNELL. It says, “Proceed other plans.”
Mr. TAVENNER. “Proceed other plans.”
Mr. O’CONNELL. Yes.
Mr. TAVENNER. What other plans?
Mr. O’CONNELL. As far as I was concerned, I am sure I had
notified them unless there were funds sent to me I could not come down
here at all.
Mr. TAVENNER. Would it be logical that Mr. Silberstein would
tell you to proceed by other plans, when to adopt your construction it
would mean that that just meant for you to remain where you were?
Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, actually, I imagine if I had all of the
correspondence or wires here I could probably give you the full and
complete story. That is way back, almost 5 years ago. It is hard for me
to recall but I am pretty sure that what I told him if I didn’t have
the funds, whatever work I would have to do on the bill it would have
to be done from the State of Montana.
Mr. TAVENNER. I desire to offer the document in evidence,
and asked that it be marked “O’Connell Exhibit 3,” for identification
purposes only, and be made a part of the committee files.
Mr. WILLIS. It is so ordered.
Mr. TAVENNER. On July 28, 1950, 2 days later, there was
another telegram signed “Silberstein” directed to you and charged to
the National Lawyers Guild, which reads as follows:
Means now available for travel. Telephone me collect.
Will you examine that telegram, please, sir?
Mr. O’CONNELL. What is the date on the second one?
Mr. TAVENNER. 26th.
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