Mr. Wheeler. Were you a member of the district committee of the Communist Party of King County while business agent for the machinists union?
(The witness confers with his counsel.)
Mr. Johnston. I will again have to invoke the fifth amendment on the ground possibly to incriminate me.
Mr. Wheeler. Is it not a fact that there was a group of machinists of 8 or 10 who were members of the Communist Party within that union?
Mr. Johnston. Again will I have to invoke the fifth amendment for the same reason.
Mr. Moulder. Let me understand that question, Mr. Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler. I will repeat it.
Is it not a fact that there was a branch or cell of the Communist Party within the machinists union of which you were a member?
Mr. Moulder. Can you specify the date?
Mr. Wheeler. The date, sir, runs during the war years and before, a continuing date.