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. Berrall announced that a legislative office will be established
in Washington over the weekend with Jerry O’Connell doing the
congressional work and two assistants at the office.
Mr. O’CONNELL. As far as I am concerned he is talking out
of thin air. I had nothing to do with any office. I wasn’t in a
legislative office down here for the American League for Peace and
Democracy.
Mr. TAVENNER. Where were you in January 1939?
Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, my best recollection would be that in
January 1939 I was back in the State of Montana. After I was defeated
for Congress I started a weekly newspaper called Jerry O’Connell’s
Montana Liberal.
I am pretty sure I was back there getting that paper underway and
getting it published and so on, trying to get subscriptions. I just
think he is talking out of complete thin air because I certainly never
came down here and did any kind of work like that, or talked to any
Congressmen or had teas for them or anything.
Mr. TAVENNER. Do you recall when you left Washington at the
end of the Congress in which you served?
Mr. O’CONNELL. I don’t think after my defeat that I came back
here at all. I was defeated, of course, in November 1938. I think
my secretary came back and cleaned up what we had in the office and
brought it back.
Mr. TAVENNER. Mr. Chairman, I would like the record to
show that the American League for Peace and Democracy was cited
as subversive and Communist by Attorney General Francis Biddle on
September 24, 1942, in the following language:
Established in the United States in 1937 as successor to the
American League against War and Fascism in an effort to create
public sentiment on behalf of the foreign policy adapted to the
interest of the Soviet Union. The American League for Peace and
Democracy was designed to conceal Communist control in accordance
with the new tactics of the Communist International.
Mr. VELDE. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire a little further on
that?
Mr. WILLIS. Certainly.
Mr. VELDE. Were you acquainted with any of the leaders of the
movement of the American League for Peace and Democracy?
Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, about the only one I can remember, that
stands out in my mind, was Dr. Harry F. Ward.
Mr. VELDE. Do you know Dr. Harry F. Ward?
Mr. O’CONNELL. I knew him at that time.
Mr. VELDE. You still know him, do you not?
Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, I think if he walked in the room I don’t
know whether I would recognize him. I would say it has probably been 10
or almost 15 years.
Mr. VELDE. At that time he was head of the Methodist
Federation of Social Action. I presume you know that, do you not?
Mr. O’CONNELL. My impression was that he was head of this
organization.
Mr. VELDE. Will you answer my question? Did you know that he
was head of the Methodist Federation for Social Action at that time?
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