I was back in Montana a few times in that connection but I spent the principal part of that time working with the Democratic Party organization in the State of Washington.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you hold any position in the Democratic organization in the State of Washington?
Mr. O’Connell. At that time I didn’t hold any. After the election—the Democratic Party was considerably successful in the State of Washington—and I think the Democratic Party leaders had a feeling that I had made a considerable contribution to the success which they had.
Within a few weeks after the election the Democratic Party leaders in that State discussed with me taking a full-time position with the Democratic Party in the State of Washington as executive secretary of the Democratic Party.
Mr. Tavenner. That began in 1944?
Mr. O’Connell. I was elected by the State central committee at Ellensburg, Wash., I think somewhere about in the middle of December 1944.
Mr. Tavenner. How long did you continue in that position?
Mr. O’Connell. I continued in that position then until December, actually I ended my term as executive secretary some time in the beginning of the year, January 1947.
In December 1946 a new Democratic State chairman was elected and he abolished the position of executive secretary and took the job and worked on the job on a full-time basis himself.
Mr. Tavenner. After that time did you hold an executive position with the Progressive Party?