It was further learned that Duran was known to Minister of National Defense of the Loyalist government Indalecio Prieto. as a Communist and member of the Comintern. and an agent of th3 Russian secret police. known throughout the world as NKVDPeoples Commisi sariat of Internal Affairs. Mr. Duran is credited. by reliable informants. as being the directing genius behind the campaignof the Joint AntiFascist Refugee Committee. With this information at our disposal. the committee sent investigators to the New York office of the Joint AntiFascist Refugee Committee to secure an explanation of ceftain activities from the organization. The investigators were also instructed to examine records to ascertain the extent of solicitations and expenditures. methods of collection and distribution. and the persons to whom the funds collected. under the guise of welfare. were sent. The executive secretary of the Joint AntiFascist Refugee Committee refused this request. and she was therefore subpenaed before our committee. When Helen R. Bryan appeared. she refused to produce any records. and was voted in contempt.