Mr. Tavenner. So you did not know something about it in 1950?
Mr. O’Connell. Yes; but I mean from 1950 on there had been no meetings of the Robert Marshall Foundation.
Mr. Tavenner. Let me quote further from this same letter, in which Mr. Gardner Jackson is addressing Mr. Patton:
I do not have to recall to your mind—
meaning Mr. Patton’s mind—
Lem Harris’ visit to you in Denver a few years ago to tell you that of the total amount of money remaining in the Marshall Foundation, the National Farmers Union would be allowed so much and to ask you as president of the National Farmers Union how you wanted that sum spread over the ensuing few years.
Lem Harris is not a trustee of that fund.
Do you know anything about that? Does that refresh your recollection?
Mr. O’Connell. It doesn’t mean anything to me. I was not close to Patton of course. I don’t know what he was doing as far as Lem Harris was concerned, I mean I just don’t know anything about that. I am telling you that very frankly.
Mr. Tavenner. You have been very positive in your statements that no awards or grants were made by this foundation which might be construed as being grants to or for the benefit of the Communist Party. That has been the inference of your testimony.
Mr. O’Connell. Well, that is what I am trying—of course the questions all have been with reference to the economic system based on production for use rather than for profit.