Speech #800009523

Also bear in mind that while Esler was the keyman on Communist affairs in the United States. he was known only to the top functionaries. The committee produced a number of other documents relating to Eislers activities during the thirties. and heard considerable testimony to the effect that he was operating in the United States during the thirties. This becomes important when you learn that on June 14.*1941. when Eisler arrived at Ellis Island as a socalled political refugee from France. he swore before a special board of inquiry at Ellis Island that he had never been to the United States before. He swore that he had never lbeen married. although the facts show him to have been married twic7e before he entered the United States. When that board asked him the following question "Are you now or have you ever been a member of any Communist organization?" his answer was "No." When he was asked. "Were you ever sympathetic to the Communist cause?" his answer was "No." He even denied under oath that he had a sister. even though that sister was at that time residing in New York. Eisler has been in the United States since June 14. 1941. All during the war period Eisler was the commissar for Communist activities in the United States When he wrote articles he was "Hanns Berger." When he sat in on secret Communist meetings he was "Edwards." and when he traveled he was "Brown." Under the name of Julius Eisman he was being paid regular sums by a Communistfront organization known as the Joint AntiFascist Refugee Committee. and from other Communist sources. From the story I have related briefly today we can see the type of man we are dealing with. For those members who are interested in looking into the matter further. I recommend a reading of the full transcript of the testimony before the committee. There is a tendency in some quarters to treat thiscase as one of a political prisoner. a harmless refugee whom this committee is persecuting because of his political belief. and who is guilty only of the fact that he happens to have a different political faith than the members of this committee For that reason. I believe the story of his activities is important. It is a story replete with criminal acts against- the United States. forged documents. perjury.* failure to register as an alien agent.