Evening star., 1950-12-13
Miss Stap|eton
Won't Answer
AT Red Inquiry
Ex-Russiun Embassy
Instructor Refers
To Constitution
BY Robert K. WoIsh

by the House Committee on Un-
American Activities as former
Communist underground agent
here, today defied committee eff
forts to link her with Commu-
mist Party operations.
The 39-year- old woman, who
now lives in New York, refused
on the ground of possible self
incrimination to say whether she
ever was Communist, an under
ground worker, a former teacher
of English at the Soviet Embassy
here or a wartime employe of the
old Office of War Information.
The committee produced rec
ords, including transcripts from
the District Court trial of Judith
Coplon, to indicate that Miss Sta
pleton had taken part in such
activities. But the witness re-
peatedly said she was unable" to
answer questions because she was
uncertain whether her answers
might incriminate her.
Mentioned as "InfOrmant."
Committee Counsel Frank S.
Tavenner read from the testimony
at the trial of Miss Coplon, for
mer Justice Department analyst
convicted of stealing Government
information. That testimony
based on FBI exhibits. stated that
Miss Stapleton was known to be
an informant" for the Commu-
nists. It also declared she was a
member of the Communist under
ground in this country and had
aplied for active membership in
the party. That request was re-
fused. according to the testimony
because Communist leaders be-
lieved she was more valuable in
the underground and for her ac-
tivity in the United Public Work
ers Union.
Miss Stapleton, according to
Government records provided by
Mr.. Tavenner, worked for about
two years in the code and cipher
section of owl. Besides being
employed later as an English
teacher in the Soviet Embassy, she
also worked for the Bulgarian po-
iitical mission here, according to
the records.
AS the hearings neared a close
today. there were signs that a
contempt citation might be asked
against the Communist Party
chairman here.
Roy H. Wood Of 1877 Wisconsin
avenue NV, city chairman of the
party, refused in IL instances late
yesterday to answer questions.
Second Witness Silent.
He took the constitutional
ground of possible self-incrimina-
tion in declining to tell what his
present position" is or to respond
to other queries aimed at show
ing his connection with the Com
munist Party.
Another witness, Robert Paul,
colored, of 5345 Ames street NE,
formerly a bookkeeper for Local
IA of the AFL Building Laborers
Union here. also gave that reason
for refusing to answer several
similar questions.
Representative Walter, Demo-
crat, of Pennsylvania, who has
presided at the open hearings
dealing mainly with testimony of
former Communist influence in
that union, voiced a personal opin-
ion later that Mr.. Wood and Mr.
Paul ought to be cited for con-
tempt of Congress. He said he
would ask the full committee to
recommend such action.
Refusal of the two witnesses tc
answer questions came only day
after the Supreme Court hello
that grand jury witness, ques-
toned about Communist afilia-
ton and activities, had a right tt
remain silent on the ground that
answers might involve her ir
criminal prosecution.
Fails to See Connection.
Mr.. Walter said he could see
no direct connection between that
ruling and the power of Con-
gress to act against committee
witnesses who balk against an
swering questions appropriate tc
matters under committee investi-
cation.
The Supreme Court opinion, Mr.
Walter declared, dealt with grand
jury procedure which entails the
power to indict or to conduct in
vestigations that might result ir
indictments. Congressional COM
mittees. he explained, carry or
Investigations as an aid tc
framing legislation.
Mr.. Wood related how he hac
held variety of jobs in recent
years in several parts of the coun-
try as well as in the merchant
marine during the war. But every
time he was asked about activities
presumably related to Communist
operations or to Local "a, he re.
fused to answer.
Assails stool Pigeons
At one point he broke in II
"object to this committee using
stool pigeons to try to wreck Leca,
"a" Mr.. Walter ar1grily cut hin
off.
The witness apparently was
referring to Henry Thomas anc
Thomas G. Sampler, both colored
the president and secretary-treas.
urer. respectively of Local "a. Both
of them testified they had beer
Communist Party members but
resigned after signing Com.
munist aff1davits in April, 1949
Mr.. Paul, according to Mr.
Sampler, was discharged by the
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