Mr. O’Connell. I don’t recall any by the courts. I can’t recall any case by the courts. Cases I can recall hold otherwise.
Mr. Scherer. There are court cases.
Mr. O’Connell. Well, I don’t want to argue about it. The thing is that as an American I feel that all people, regardless of their political opinions or beliefs, whether they are Communist or non-Communists, are entitled to their rights to their political opinions and beliefs and to their civil rights and to their civil liberties as provided by our Constitution. I say that as a progressive American who really honestly and sincerely believes it.
Mr. Scherer. I think we all believe that.
Mr. O’Connell. I didn’t get you, Congressman.
Mr. Scherer. I said I think we all believe in the statement you made.
Mr. O’Connell. I was just expressing—that is my position on it. I just think it is dangerous to proscribe——
Mr. Tavenner. You undertook in this telegram to accuse the judge of willful, unlawful, and unconstitutional attempt to deny the Communist Party leaders any defense.
Mr. O’Connell. As I said, I don’t remember sending that wire.
Mr. Scherer. Do you deny it?