(The witness confers with his counsel.)
Mr. Carlson. I must invoke the fifth amendment to that question, and refuse to answer.
Mr. Wheeler. Are you presently employed?
(The witness confers with his counsel.)
Mr. Carlson. I am unemployed at the present time.
Mr. Wheeler. I would like to read a telegram. This telegram was sent by one Ed Carlson, member of the machinists union, is so identified, and appears in part 11 (appendix), page 6748, of the hearings held here in June 1954. It is dated Seattle, Wash., June 19, 1954, and addressed to the Velde committee, Seattle.
Dear Sirs: I see by the paper that Mrs. Hartle names one Ed Carlson as a member of the Communist Party in the machinists union. I presume I am the individual referred to. So that the record is straight, let me insert this into the record for all to see and hear.
It did not take me 20 years to decide that the Communist Party was not the answer to the problems as I see them. In fact, I am very nearly positive it was Mrs. Hartle who tried to persuade me to reconsider my decision to discontinue my affiliations, which is now approximately 5 years ago.
I do believe that my many friends and acquaintances are entitled to this additional clarification of the facts.
Sincerely,
Ed Carlson,
Member of Machinists Union.
Did you send that telegram, Mr. Carlson?
(The witness confers with his counsel.)
Mr. Carlson. Yes; I did.