According to the May 1939 issue of Equal Justice, Jeremiah O’Connell was one of those who sent congratulations to the southern California district year book 1938 of the International Labor Defense.
According to a leaflet the summer milk fund drive, Hotel Pennsylvania, New York City, of June 13, 1940, you were listed as a member of that committee of the International Labor Defense.
Now, does that information refresh your recollection?
Mr. O’Connell. No. I mean I can’t—I don’t remember ever being elected to the international committee of the International Labor Defense, or selected for it.
I probably, as a Congressman, like on the milk fund, summer milk fund and Christmas fund, and so on, at that time the International Labor Defense used to send, I think Christmas presents to labor prisoners.
During my term in Congress I was particularly active in fighting for the freedom of Tom Mooney. My Dad had been in the miner’s union, a member and executive for that particular period; he has always been interested. When I came here I introduced a resolution in the Congress asking for the freedom of Tom Mooney and for a pardon for him.
I think my best recollection is as far as the International Labor Defense is concerned that the matters I sponsored were around prisoners like Tom Mooney.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you familiar with the fact that it has been cited as a Communist front organization?
Mr. O’Connell. I shouldn’t say that I actually know that it has been cited, or when it was cited.
Mr. Tavenner. Attorney General Tom Clark cited it as a subversive and Communist organization on June 1, 1948, and again on September 22, 1948.