Mr. O’Connell. Yes; I was acquainted with Tom Rabbitt.
Mr. Tavenner. He was State Senator and also an office holder in the Washington Pension Union; is that right?
Mr. O’Connell. He was Washington State senator from the 35th legislative district. He was, I think, a delegate to the King County Democratic Central Committee from that district.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it a fact that the State legislature refused to seat him?
Mr. O’Connell. I don’t think so. I think the State legislature, before I came to the State of Washington, refused to seat a party by the name of Lenus Westman, elected as a State senator from up in Snohomish County, but at least in my time nobody challenged Rabbitt’s senator-ship.
Mr. Tavenner. I am probably in error.
Mr. Velde. Mr. Counsel, isn’t it true both Mrs. Hartle and Eugene Dennett testified that both Wakefield and Rabbitt were members of the Communist Party?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir. I think the record should show that William J. Pennock was identified by Barbara Hartle not only as president of the Washington Pension Union but as a member of the district committee of the Communist Party for the State of Washington and that Tom Rabbitt was likewise an officer of the Washington Pension Union and a member of the district committee of the Communist Party.
Mr. Velde. Isn’t it true, also, that Mr. Rabbitt appeared in executive session in June 1954 and refused to answer questions relating to his membership in the Communist Party and other activities along that line, relying on the fifth amendment?
Mr. Tavenner. That is correct, sir.