I will ask you, Professor, Do you know a former Congressman from Montana by the name of Jerry O’Connell?
Mr. Budenz. Yes, sir.
Question. Do you know whether or not Mr. O’Connell was a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Budenz. Not that specific. I know that he was one whom the party felt it must take care of because of his agreement constantly with the party line. This came up in the case of Congressman John T. Bernard, of Minnesota, and Congressman O’Connell. The discussion came up in the national headquarters of the Communist Party in the committee headed by William Winant about how to take care of these Congressmen because they agreed with the party line. And it was agreed that Bernard and O’Connell both would get jobs with the International Workers Order, this Communist-controlled front to which I have referred.
Now, it is my impression that—well, I know that Bernard got it, and it is my impression that Mr. O’Connell temporarily also received that cynosure through the cooperation of the party. I heard the discussion in the party circles first, and later on I heard that it was to be accomplished.
That is the testimony to which you refer?
Mr. O’Connell. That is the testimony to which I refer.
Mr. Tavenner. You were employed by the International Workers Order, were you not?
Mr. O’Connell. In order not to prolong it—Congressman Willis did not hear this, but yesterday I testified about my connections with the International Workers Order. The original contact, as I remember, was made by Peter Shipka to advise the local Serbs and Croats which existed in the city of Butte. It was, as I remember, during a period when I think Hitler had already invaded Yugoslavia and it was a question of whether they were supporting Milhailovich or Pavlich. There was a lot of dissension going on between the Serbs and Croats. I was asked to go down and advise with them and help with them. Many of them I knew because of my political candidacies for legislature and for the railroad and public service commission and for Congress there.
Mr. Tavenner. That is all in the record.
Mr. O’Connell. Yes. Then I was sent on a specific job to do with reference to these coal miners at Steamboat Springs who were applying for citizenship and were members of the International Workers Order.
Mr. Tavenner. You were employed to go on speaking tours over the country for which you were paid $200 a month and your expenses?
Mr. O’Connell. I made only one speaking tour on the plan for plenty. The plan for plenty we had was an improved social security, called for improvement of the social security system as it existed at that time. I made some speeches. You asked me what I got, how much compensation I had received. I said in my opinion it would average about $200 a month.
Mr. Tavenner. And your expenses?