Mr. Pennock deserves honorable mention for the work that he did in that setup.
Mr. Tavenner. What position did Pennock hold in the Communist Party?
Mr. Dennett. He attended the bureau meetings, but I do not remember exactly whether he was a member of the bureau. But he attended most of the bureau meetings by virtue of the fact that he became the head of the pension union which was one of the big affiliates of the Washington Commonwealth Federation.
Mr. Tavenner. You have given a very full description of how the Communist Party maneuvered to capture this organization.
Why was the Communist Party so interested in obtaining control of the Washington Commonwealth Federation?
Mr. Dennett. Because we wanted to ultimately obtain political power for the Communist Party in the United States of America.
(The witness confers with his counsel.)
Mr. Tavenner. In the same manner, I assume, that you were attempting to gain power for the Communist Party in every other field of endeavor.
Mr. Dennett. Of course.
My counsel has suggested that I indicate the total membership of the Washington Commonwealth Federation in that period.