Mr. O’Connell. No; I was not. I don’t know whether that is true even today. I mean, you asked me and I don’t know. I would have to be shown and somebody would have to show me where they are and the proof. I don’t know whether that is true.
Mr. Velde. Are you familiar with the various Smith Act trials?
Mr. O’Connell. I have read a lot about the Smith Act trials; yes, sir. But in none of the Smith Act trials they were not charged with espionage and treason or anything of that kind.
Mr. Velde. No; of course they were charged with advocating the overthrow of our form of government by force and violence.
Mr. O’Connell. It even goes back further than that, conspiring to teach and all that, but in none of those trials I don’t know any development of espionage or spying. Of course, I am not familiar with all the testimony. I have not read it all.
Mr. Velde. Are you familiar with the Rosenberg case?
Mr. O’Connell. I am familiar with the Rosenberg case.
Mr. Velde. Certainly from the result of that you must have had the suspicion that there was an espionage network operating in this country.
Mr. O’Connell. Even today I am not convinced that the Rosenbergs were involved in Soviet espionage. Right now I think there is serious doubt of it.
Mr. Velde. Even though they were convicted under our American system of jurisprudence?