Mr. Wheeler. Let the record show that he is conferring with counsel.
Mr. Lawrie. I was in the State of Washington.
Mr. Wheeler. What part of Washington?
Mr. Lawrie. I would say it was Everett.
Mr. Wheeler. Now, Mrs. Hartle identified you as organizational secretary of the central region of the Communist Party during some time in the last few years.
Mr. Lawrie. Are you referring to a possible future Harvey Matusow, one that swears one thing one day and then, the next day, swears something else?
Mr. Moulder. But you are refusing to deny or affirm the charges. You have the opportunity to show that Barbara Hartle, referred to by you as a so-called Matusow, was telling a falsehood. But you are refusing to do that. You refuse to say whether she is telling a falsehood or telling the truth.
Mr. Lawrie. If it will help this committee any, as I stated before, that, due to the many oppressive and repressive laws, both on the Federal and State level, I am going to decline to answer that question under the first and fifth amendments.
Mr. Moulder. Proceed with the next question.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you a member of the Communist Party today?