(At this point, Representative Ford entered the hearing room.)
Mr. Liebeler. We understand that you are a Quaker, Mr. Paine, is that correct?
Mr. Paine. That is not quite correct.
When I was in Philadelphia, I sang in various churches, and Ruth being a Quaker, started going to Quaker meetings. Had I remained there I would have become a Quaker. Moving to Texas there was a very small Quaker community, and I joined the Unitarian Church after a while.
Mr. Liebeler. When did you first become interested in the Quaker religion; was it about the time you met your wife or was it before that.
Mr. Paine. No; I think she was instrumental in bringing me into that circle.
Mr. Liebeler. Give us a brief description of the outside interests that you and your wife and that your wife had during the time subsequent to your meeting and until the time you left Philadelphia. Was she active in church activities?
Mr. Paine. No; I wouldn't say so. She was active in the Young Friends Committee of North America which was making an effort to bring a group of Russians on tour of this country. It was in the first flush or enthusiasm of East-West contacts, and after a couple of years they did succeed in bringing those Russians on tour. That was the beginning of her interest in Russian, learning the Russian language. I think that was her only activity that I am aware of or remember right now.
Mr. Liebeler. Do you know whether your wife engaged in a writing campaign or a pen pal campaign between people in the United States and people in the Soviet Union?
Mr. Paine. That was another part of this East-West contacts committee's duties or tasks they took upon themselves and I think she was chairman, accepted the chairmanship of that committee.