Mr. O’Connell. Well, Congressman, I can’t say. I just don’t have any recollection of sending that wire, and I am saying that honestly and truthfully. I did think, and I still do think, that Judge Medina did restrict their defense at the trial.
Mr. Scherer. We have had some of the lawyers who appeared before Judge Medina in that trial appear before this committee, and I am just wondering how Judge Medina withstood the assault that was made upon him, not only by those lawyers but by telegrams such as the counsel has just read, which, of course, I believe you sent.
Mr. O’Connell. Congressman, I really——
Mr. Scherer. I think that was an attack on our judicial system that was a disgrace by those who participated in it.
Mr. O’Connell. As I have said, I really don’t remember sending any such wire, and this is the first time that has ever been called to my attention.
Mr. Scherer. The Communists and their followers talk about persecution. If ever a fine jurist was persecuted for attempting to do his job, as he was required to do by law, Judge Medina was so persecuted and smeared.
Mr. O’Connell. I have not condoned the conduct of the attorneys who were present at that trial.
Mr. Scherer. I understand that.
Mr. O’Connell. I think—you have been here most of the time or a considerable part of the time I testified.
Mr. Scherer. I might say your conduct has been exemplary, you have been very respectful and we certainly have no complaint. You have used, I am not criticizing you for it, what is used regularly in matters such as this, namely, the convenient and overworked answers, “I don’t remember” and “not to my recollection, et cetera.”