Mr. Velde. Did you give any names to the FBI when you were questioned?
Mr. Stenhouse. No; I didn’t.
Mr. Velde. You said it may have recalled some of the names to you at that time but it doesn’t now. If at that time it recalled the names of people with whom you had associated, why didn’t you give them to the FBI?
Mr. Stenhouse. I declined to state whether or not I had been a member of the Communist Party in Los Angeles.
Mr. Velde. Do you mean you declined to state to the FBI whether or not you had been a member of the Communist Party in Los Angeles?
Mr. Stenhouse. Yes. And, as far as I remember, he told me I didn’t have to state. I can’t be sure of that, but that is my recollection.
Mr. Velde. Of course, you don’t have to tell the FBI anything. But I am just wondering what was in your mind at that time—the reason why you did not give the FBI that information.
Mr. Stenhouse. The reason was that I had, to the best of my knowledge and conscience, done nothing hostile to the United States. In fact, I thought that I had been a very loyal and active citizen in promoting the war effort.
Mr. Tavenner. When did your employment terminate with the Department of Commerce?
Mr. Stenhouse. I got my termination notice in October, and it was effective in November of 1947.