Mr. Rankin. In some other sense, did you?
Mr. Johnson. Well, normally, just within our own—among our own people, I would naturally discuss it and say that somebody could try to make a false charge against us in some fashion, and that we of necessity would have to react quickly to it so as to make clear that he was never a member of the Communist Party, never associated with us in any fashion of a political or organizational character.
Mr. Rankin. Did you make any inquiry to determine whether or not any members of the Communist Party of the United States were involved in any conspiracy with Lee Harvey Oswald about the assassination?
Mr. Johnson. Oh, I would say very definitely that they were not. There was never any such relationships at all. There was nobody that I know of who had any contact whatsoever, and I think I would have known.
Mr. Rankin. By nobody, do you mean——
Mr. Johnson. No Communist of any character, at any time.
Mr. Rankin. Have you made sufficient inquiry or have sufficient knowledge so you were satisfied that that would be true?
Mr. Johnson. Oh, yes. There was no relationships whatsoever. I would say definitely I would know if any Communist would have had any conversation, and I know of none, no communication or conversation.
Mr. Rankin. By any conversation, you mean with regard to the assassination of President Kennedy?
Mr. Johnson. Yes.