Chief Justice Warren. The prizefights?
Mr. Ruby. The prizefights. If that was your means of livelihood, yet you don't have no other affiliation with them, so when I say I know them, or what I have read from stories of personalities that are notorious, that is the extent of my involvement in any criminal activity.
I have never been a bookmaker. I have never stolen for a living. I am not a gangster. I have never used a goon squad for union activities.
All I was was a representative to sound out applications for the American Federation of Labor, and if the employees would sign it, we would accept them as members.
I never knew what a goon looked like in Chicago, with the exception when I went to the service.
I never belonged to any subversive organization. I don't know any subversive people that are against my beloved country.
Mr. Rankin. You have never been connected with the Communist Party?
Mr. Ruby. Never have. All I have ever done in my life—I had a very rough start in life, but anything I have done, I at least try to do it in good taste, whatever I have been active in.
Mr. Rankin. There was a story that you had a gun with you during the showup that you described in the large room there.
Mr. Ruby. I will be honest with you. I lied about it. It isn't so. I didn't have a gun. But in order to make my defense more accurate, to save your life, that is the reason that statement was made.