case. I have here, Mr. Chairman, a photostatic copy of a passport application which was subpenaed from Mrs. Ruth B. Shipley, Chief of the Passport Division of the State Department. It is a passport issued on August 31, 1934, to one Samuel Liptzen. The passport reads as follows: I, Samuel Liptzen, a citizen of the United States, do hereby apply to the Department of State at Washington for a passport. I do solemnly swear that the statements made on both sides of this application are true and that the photograph attached hereto is a likeness of me. It further states: I solemnly swear that I was born at Lipsk, now Poland, Russia, on March 13, 1893. That I immigrated to the United States on or about April, 1909, that Í resided continuously in the United States from 1909 to 1934, at New York City, New York; that I was naturalized as a citizen of the United States before the Supreme Court of the State of New York in New York City on March 13, 1917, as shown by the certificate of naturalization presented herewith, that I am the identical person described in said certificate and that I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent address residence being 208 West 14th Street, New York. Mr. STRIPLING. Now, Mr. Liptzen, you have heard what I have just read? Mr. LIPTZEN. Yes. Mr. STRIPLING. Is the information as I have read it into the record correct? For example, you were born in Lipsk? Mr. LIPTZEN. Yes. Mr. STRIPLING. On March 13, 1893? Mr. LIPTZEN. I don't remember whether it was 1892 or 1893, but anyhow it is close. Mr. STRIPLING. You immigrated to the United States in April 1909? Mr. LIPTZEN. Yes. Mr. STRIPLING. You have resided continuously in the United States from 1909 to 1934? Mr. LIPTZEN. Except as. I was in Canada on those two occasions. Mr. STRIPLING. Now, Mr. Chairman, I would like for the witness to examine this photostat [handing to witness]. Mr. Liptzen, the oath of allegiance says: That I will solemnly support the Constitution of the United States, and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, so help me God and then the name "Samuel Liptzen," which is a signature, appears thereon. Now I ask you, Mr. Liptzen, is that your signature? Mr. LIPTZEN. No, sir; it isn't my signature. Mr. STRIPLING. It is not your signature? Mr. LIPTZEN. No; absolutely not. Mr. STRIPLING. Did you ever sign your name at any time—did it appear in any such style of writing as that? Mr. LIPTZEN. This is, I am sure this I am sure is not my signature. Mr. STRIPLING. Did you ever apply for a passport? Mr. LIPTZEN. No, never. Mr. STRIPLING. This is obviously not your picture which appears thereon? Mr. LIPTZEN. No. Mr. STRIPLING. Have you ever seen the individual whose picture appears on this passport under the name of Samuel Liptzen? Mr. LIPTZEN. Never. Mr. STRIPLING. Do you know who this is? Mr. LIPTZEN. I know now, from the press. Mr. STRIPLING. Who do you understand that to be? Mr. LIPTZEN. I never saw the person, but one thing sure, that is not my picture. Mr. STRIPLING. Do you know who that is? Mr. LIPTZEN. I could imagine. The CHAIRMAN. Do you know? Mr. LIPTZEN. I don't know him, I never saw him in my life, but I could imagine. Mr. STRIPLING. Mr. Chairman, in order to have obtained this passport, the naturalization papers of Samuel Liptzen must have accompanied this passport application, and since the application was issued by the Department of State on August 31, 1934, I would like to ask the witness if he has with him his naturalization papers. Mr. STRIPLING. The naturalization papers which were issued to you in 1917, do you now have those papers? Mr. LIPTZEN. No. Mr. STRIPLING. Where are those papers? Mr. LIPTZEN. When I came here a couple of years ago I explained it. Mr. STRIPLING. Where are your original naturalization papers? Mr. LIPTZEN. It was robbed from my house. I used to live that time at Fourteenth Street. Mr. STRIPLING. Give for the record the exact address on Fourteenth Street where you lived? Mr. LIPTZEN. It was 228 or 230 West Fourteenth Street. Mr. STRIPLING. Was it 208 West Fourteenth Street? Mr. LIPTZEN. No; I never lived there. Mr. STRIPLING. All right, give the correct address. Mr. LIPTZEN. 228 or 230. Mr. STRIFLING. It is important, Mr. Chairman, to get the exact address, and I would like the witness to refresh his recollection as to the exact address that he was living at when he claims his naturalization papers were stolen or robbed. At what address were you living? Mr. LIPTZEN. At 228 or 230 Fourteenth Street, between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. Mr. STRIPLING. How many years did you live there? Mr. LIPTZEN. I lived there about 3 or 4 years. Mr. STRIPLING. If you lived there for 3 or 4 years you certainly know whether it was 228 or 230. Mr. LIPTZEN. I just couldn't remember. Mr. STRIPLING. Will you relate to the committee the circumstances of this robbery? Mr. LIPTZEN. We used to live on the third floor. During the night- Mr. STRIPLING (interposing). Give us a date. Mr. LIPTZEN. It is impossible for me to remember. Mr. LIPTZEN. About 1932 or 1933. The CHAIRMAN. What time of the year? Mr. LIPTZEN. It was in the beginning of the summer, because the window was opened, through the firc escape they put a broom, through from the fire escape. Mr. STRIPLING. What year was this? Mr. LIPTZEN. 1932 or 1933, I can't remember exactly. Mr. STRIPLING. How many times have you been robbed in your life? Mr. LIPTZEN. Twice. Once in Thirty-sixth Street. Mr. STRIPLING. What year was that? Mr. LIPTZEN. It was about 6 years ago; nobody was in the house. Mr. STRIPLING. That was in 1936? Mr. LIPTZEN. Yes. Mr. STRIPLING. Can you state to the committee the year you were robbed the first time, in which you claim your naturalization papers were stolen? Mr. LIPTZEN. Exactly I can't remember; the superintendent called the police and they took some measurements. Mr. STRIPLING. Whom did you live with at 228 or 230 West Fourteenth Street? Mr. LIPTZEN. With the same family that I live now. Mr. STRIPLING. What is their name? Mr. LIPTZEN. Halland. Mr. STRIPLING. Where do they reside at the present time? Mr. LIPTZEN. Now, as I said, in Boston; and the son is married, in Baltimore. Mr. STRIPLING. Do you have his address in Baltimore? Mr. LIPTZEN. Not with me. Mr. STRIPLING. What is his name? Mr. LIPTZEN. Sol Halland. Mr. STRIPLING. What kind of business is he in? Mr. LIPTZEN. He just came back from the Navy, so now, I believe, he is a salesman for liquor business. Mr. STRIPLING. You can't recall the year in which this robbery occurred? Mr. LIPTZEN. It was about that time, because in 1935 or 1934 I left, so I believe it was in 1932 or 1933 at that time. Mr. STRIPLING. What else was taken during this robbery? Mr. LIPTZEN. They took out everything. They took some clothes, and two satchels, some money, a wrist watch, and many things. Mr. STRIPLING. Was any of it ever recovered? Mr. LIPTZEN. No; the police never reported anything. Mr. STRIPLING. When did you obtain new naturalization papers? Mr. LIPTZEN. I don't remember exactly, because when I got sick and I had to go to Los Angeles and I believe it was when I came back. Mr. STRIPLING. You didn't report the robbery yourself? Mr. LIPTZEN. I did. I hollered so the superintendent of the house, he ran down and called the police; it was about 3 or 3:30 in the morning, and so the police came up and I told them all about what happened. Mr. STRIPLING. Did you talk to the police? Mr. LIPTZEN. Certainly. Mr. STRIPLING. What precinct were the police assigned to? Mr. STRIPLING. You say that was 1932 or 1933? Mr. LIPTZEN. Yes. Mr. STRIPLING. You were aware at that time that your naturaliza-tion papers had been stolen? Mr. LIPTZEN. Yes. Mr. STRIPLING. Did you report that fact? Mr. LIPTZEN. Certainly; I told them that everything I had in valuables in the suitcase, everything was taken out. Mr. STRIPLING. When did you make application for the new naturalization papers? Mr. LIPTZEN. I don't remember exactly now, because since I suffered on dye poisoning it is hard for me to remember, but I believe it was a couple of years later when I came back to my health. Mr. STRIPLING. Did you ever loan anyone your naturalization papers? Mr. LIPTZEN. No, sir. Mr. STRIPLING. You did not? Mr. LIPTZEN. No, sir. Mr. STRIPLING. Do you know Mr. Leon Josephson? Mr. LIPTZEN. I never met him, I just saw in the papers. Mr. STRIPLING. You never met him? Mr. LIPTZEN. I never met him, and I don't know him. Mr. STRIPLING. Were you ever questioned by any other agency of the Federal Government concerning this passport? Mr. LIPTZEN. Yes. Mr. STRIPLING. What year was that? Mr. LIPTZEN. It was about 5 years ago. Mr. STRIPLING. Was it in 1940? Mr. LIPTZEN. Maybe in that time, 1940 or 1941. Mr. STRIPLING. You still can't remember when you obtained the second copy of your naturalization papers? Mr. LIPTZEN. No, sir; because at that time I was very sick and I can't remember. Mr. STRIPLING. Do you know Gerhardt Eisler? Mr. LIPTZEN. I just know his name through the press. Mr. STRIPLING. Did you ever see Gerhardt Eisler? Mr. LIPTZEN. Never in my life. Mr. STRIPLING. Do you know a man by the name of Edwards who resembles the picture which appears on this passport? Mr. LIPTZEN. No. Mr. STRIPLING. Do you know anyone by the name of Hans Berger? Mr. LIPTZEN. No. Mr. STRIPLING. Have you ever seen who resembles the photograph which appears on this passport application, in the building where your office is located at the present time? Mr. LIPTZEN. I wasn't in the office at that time; I mean according: to the date that this paper was made out, so how could I see him? Mr. STRIPLING. In the last 10 years? Mr. LIPTZEN. I never met the person. 1 The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Vail? Mr. VAIL. As I got your original statement, you arrived in the United States from Russia in 1899? Mr. LIPTZEN. No; 1909. Mr. VAIL. What you have in the record, Mr. Reporter, would you read it? (Record read as follows:) Mr. STRIPLING. When did you come to the United States? Mr. LIPTZEN. 1909. Mr. VAIL. That is all. TESTIMONY OF EDWARD KUNTZ-Resumed Mr. NIXON. You are the attorney for the Morning Freiheit? Mr. NIXON. Are you also the attorney for the Daily Worker? Mr. NIXON. You were the attorney for the Daily Worker until a year ago? Mr. KUNTZ. I think it was until May of last year. I had been their attorney for 8 or 10 years. Mr. NIXON. The office of the Freiheit and Daily Worker are in the same building? Mr. KUNTZ. Yes. Mr. NIXON. Physically how far apart are they? Is this a large office building? Mr. KUNTZ. The building is nine stories high. I can tell you from general knowledge that it is owned by a corporation, which rents out space to various organizations; one is the Morning Freiheit, which occupies the entire sixth floor. The Daily Worker now has its business office on the second floor, its editorial offices are on the entire eighth floor. The Communist Party occupies part of the building; I believe the national office occupies the ninth floor, and the State office occupies the fifth floor. Mr. NIXON. Who has the seventh floor? Mr. KUNTZ. I think the seventh floor is the composing room of the F. & D. Printing Co., which is a corporation which has its composing room on the seventh floor, its office on the seventh floor and its presses in the basement. The F. & D. Printing Co., owning the presses and the composition, does work for the Daily Worker and for the Freiheit, and for others. May I give this information, since I happened to represent both the Daily Worker and Freiheit? The F. & D. Printing Co. bills the Daily Worker and Freiheit. They pay rent in the building the same as the other organizations that pay rent in the building. Mr. NIXON. Isn't it true that the Daily Worker and Freiheit have similar contributing reporters in some cases? Mr. KUNTZ. No sir; that is a misconception. I would say this, if you want my honest opinion, that the Daily Worker is much further to the left than the Freiheit. Mr. NIXON. You said a moment ago that the Freiheit had some Communists on its staff. Mr. KUNTZ. It has, and some are non-Communists; a man like Scholem Aash is a non-Communist, and those people are regular contributors. As a matter of fact, I think Scholem Aash, who has written many books, is known throughout the world as a liberal writer. |