Mr. Rankin.

of the assassination by Lee Harvey Oswald and his connection with the Fair Play for Cuba effort in New Orleans on the Communist Party?

Mr. Johnson.

Will you state that again?

Mr. Rankin.

Read the question, please.
(Question read.)

Mr. Johnson.

Not in that sense, no. Not in relationship to Fair Play for Cuba et cetera.

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.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you have any contacts with the----

Mr. Johnson.

That's so flagrantly against anything about the Communist viewpoint that it's----

Mr. Rankin.

Will you explain that, Mr. Johnson?

Mr. Johnson.

Communists just do not believe in assassination as a method of social change, and----

Mr. Rankin.

You mean that as far as the Communist Party of the United States is concerned?

Mr. Johnson.

Definitely.

Mr. Rankin.

Or generally?

Mr. Johnson.

Definitely and generally. I mean that very specifically. It has nothing to do with it. We would say that anybody who harbors such a thought is not only not a Communist but an anti-Communist basically.

Mr. Rankin.

Would you extend that to cover the activities of various groups in the Soviet Union?

Mr. Johnson.

As far as assassination is concerned, yes.

Mr. Rankin.

I thought there was information that they had people connected with the government who were engaged in trying to understand and be able to use methods of assassination.

Mr. Johnson.

No.

Mr. Rankin.

You don't think that's true?

Mr. Johnson.

Oh, no. That's not true. That's dissident groups, groups like that, not Communist groups.

Mr. Rankin.

You don't think that is a part presently of the Soviet Union----

Mr. Johnson.

Definitely not.

Mr. Rankin.

And you don't think it is any part of the plans of the Communist Party of the United States?

Mr. Johnson.

I know that a thousand percent. We have for years made it a point if anybody has such viewpoints they cannot ever be a member of the party. They are expelled et cetera. We specifically speak against any acts of terrorism or individual violence et cetera.