Evening star., 1939-09-13
Millionaire Gave
Sums 10 Communists,
Witness Says
Heller Against
Capitalism, Declares
Trochtenbere
Bv JOHN c. HENRY.

A mysterious millionaire whose de-
votion to Communism has caused
him to spend fortune on its cause
in America was portrayed before the
House Committee on Un-Amerlcan
Activities today.
With Alexander Trachtenberg
Russian-b born lecturer and pub
Usher on the stand, the committee
heard how A. A. Heller. retired New
York manufacturer, for years has
been pouring hundreds of thou
sands of dollars into various pro-
Communist enterprises.
HE was a millionaire long be-
fore there was a Russian revolu-
tion," Mr.. Trachtenberg remarked
after explaining that as head of the
Interna tional Oxygen Co., Mr.. Heller
once held a valuable industrial con-
cession" in Russia.
Hes against capitalism though,
isn't he?" Chairman Dies asked.
IF he's a member of the Com
munist party, he must be-" the wit
ness replied. He had testified pre-
viously that Mr.. Heller is party
member of long standing.
We'll he isn't against capitalism
enough to give away all his money,
is hep" Representative Dies con-
tinued.
He has given away great deal" ="
Mr.. Heller has put $115,0O0 into
International Publishers, of which
Mr.. Trachtenberg is general man
ager, in the last Is years.
Deals in Foreign Writings.
International Publishers deals
mostly in republishing foreign writ
ings with emphasis on Communist,
Marxist and Socialist works. All
writings of Joseph Stain are pub
lished, the witness said, with the
two principal outlets for publica-
tions of the firm being the national
and New York State Communist dis
tributing agencies.
Mr.. Trachtenberg gave ready ap-
proval to the Russo German pact as
"help to Poland"
They're not helping them much
now, are they?" committee men,
ber asked.
Neither is Mr.. Chamberlain" the
witness answered.
Asked how he expected Russia to
help Poland by present mobilization
of troops on the Russ-Polish
frontier, the witness replied that
Russia is preparing to fight Ger
many"
The committee, which has been
investigating the Communist party's
finances, has as background for the
study the records of 43 bank ac-
counts held by Communist leaders
or workers in this country. Through
these a total of $10,164,73O has
passed since 1885.
Initial examination of these ac-
counts took place before the COM
mittee yesterday when Robert w.
Weiner, financial secretary for the
party, and William E. Browder,
brother of Earl Browder, head OF
the American Communist party
were uuizzed about their handling
of some 100000. In each case
the accounts were IN the personal
names of Mr.. Weiner and Mr..
Browder with no Identification OF
the Communist party.
Banked 1884, 1000 in Year.
The 44-year-old Browder, immac-
ulately dressed and soft-spoken, tes-
titled freely that he had banked
as much as 1884 900 in a single year
during his term as treasurer OF
the party for New York State. Dur
ing 2h years in that job his financ-
ing had totaled approximately ST.
250,000.
Questioned about the propriety OF
handling this money through per.
sonal accounts, the witness claimed
certificate of authorization from
the party had been filed with one
bank, the Amalgamated Bank Of
New York, and that the other, Man
ufacturers' Trust, knew for whom
he was acting. Furthermore, nj
said, the Manufacturers Trust hae
refused to take the account IN tht
name of the Communist party.
Mr.. Browder admitted he had mo-
included this high finance IN hi
income tax reports, but said he wa
J acting on advice Of counsel,