Mr. JOHNSON. Since 1945. I came here because I like Sausalito. Mr. ARENS. I did not get that. How long have you lived here! Mr. JOHNSON. Since 1945. Mr. ARENS. And prior to that time you lived in Michigan; is that correct? (The witness conferred with his counsel.) Mr. JOHNSON. That is correct. Mr. ARENS. While you were in Michigan, did you know a man by the name of Karl Prussion? (The witness conferred with his counsel.) Mr. JOHNSON. I don't think you have any right to inquire into my associations. Mr. ARENS. Mr. Prussion, you have been sworn. TESTIMONY OF KARL PRUSSION-Resumed Mr. ARENS. During the course of your service in the Communist Party, in Detroit, Mich., did you know as a member of the Communist Party, to a certainty, a person by the name of Elmer E. Johnson? Mr. PRUSSION. Yes. Mr. ARENS. Do you see that person in the hearing room today, now? Mr. PRUSSION. He is hard to recognize, he has changed so much. I could not certainly identify him. Mr. ARENS. Thank you, sir. We thank you, Mr. Prussion, for being so precise and so careful. Mr. McTERNAN. Will the reporter read back the exchange between Mr. Arens and Mr. Prussion? (Record read.) TESTIMONY OF ELMER E. JOHNSON-Resumed Mr. ARENS. Mr. Johnson, while you were in Detroit, Mich., were you district organizer of the Communist Party in Detroit? (The witness conferred with his counsel.) Mr. JOHNSON. I decline to answer this on the first and the fifth amendments. Mr. ARENS. What county do you live in, please, sir? (The witness conferred with his counsel.) Mr. JOHNSON. Marin County. Mr. ARENS. How long have you lived in Marin County? (The witness conferred with his counsel.) Mr. ARENS. Where is Marin County? Are we in Marin County now? Mr. WHEELER. It is across the bay. Mr. McTERNAN. Marin County is across the bay. Mr. ARENS. Thank you. How long have you lived in Marin County? Mr. JOHNSON. What is the pertinency of the question? Mr. ARENS. The pertinency of the question is for purposes of identification, because to our certainty, we know that an Elmer E. Johnson. living in Marin County, has been active under discipline of this conspiratorial force known as the Communist Party. (The witness conferred with his counsel.) Mr. JOHNSON. In view of that speech, I decline to answer, in view of the first and the fifth amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Mr. ARENS. Are you, this minute, a member of the Communist Party? (The witness conferred with his counsel.) Mr. JOHNSON. Same answer. Mr. ARENS. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully suggest that will conclude the staff interrogation of this witness. Mr. WILLIS. The witness is excused. Mr. ARENS. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully suggest, if it meets with the approval of the chairman, that we have arrived at a point in the progress of our hearing where we would like to suggest an adjournment until tomorrow morning. Mr. WILLIS. The committee will stand in recess until tomorrow morning at 9:30. (Members of the subcommittee present at time of recess: Representatives Willis and Johansen.) (Whereupon, at 6:25 p.m. Friday, May 13, the hearing recessed to reconvene at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 1960.) X OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY Structure-Objectives-Leadership HEARINGS BEFORE THE THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN JAN 17 1961 MAIN READING ROOM COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION PART 3 MAY 14 AND JUNE 10, 1960 Printed for the use of the Committee on Un-American Activities (Including Index) 56597 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1960 |