Mr. ROBEL. I wouldn’t like to waive my rights under the fifth amendment by answering a previous question and then be forced to answer another one. That is the reason I took the position that I do.
Mr. VELDE. Do you belong to any labor union? That was the original question of counsel.
Mr. ROBEL. Because that question might lead to the particular labor organization that I belong to, I will decline to answer that question.
Mr. VELDE. If it does lead to that question, you can then invoke your privilege under the fifth amendment of the Constitution.
Mr. ROBEL. It is my understanding legally that I may waive my rights by answering one of these questions, and I don’t wish to waive my right to invoke the fifth amendment.
Mr. MOULDER. You certainly were not waiving your rights when you stated a moment ago you were employed and where you were employed.
Now if you belong to some labor organization in connection with your employment there is nothing in that connection certainly that would tend to incriminate you, if you are employed or in legitimate employment.
Mr. ROBEL. We are getting into complicated rights of waiver, and it is my understanding legally that I may refuse to answer.
Mr. MOULDER. Do you decline to answer under the fifth amendment?
Mr. ROBEL. Under the fifth amendment, yes, sir.
Mr. WHEELER. Are you a member of the International Association of Machinists, A. F. of L.?
Mr. ROBEL. I must invoke the fifth amendment, as previously, and refuse to answer that.
Mr. MOULDER. I wish to say that for as long as I have served on this committee, a period of approximately 7 years, I have never heard anyone invoke the fifth amendment in response to a question as to whether or not he was a member of an A. F. of L. union.
Mr. WHEELER. Are you acquainted or have you been acquainted in the past with Mrs. Barbara Hartle.
Mr. ROBEL. For the same reasons as previously given, that I might tend to incriminate myself, I will have to invoke the fifth amendment and refuse to answer that question.
Mr. WHEELER. Quoting her testimony before this committee, appearing on page 6094 of volume 2 of the hearings held in June 1954:
The Communist Party has always had a number of members in the machinists Union. Some of them that I can remember are Glenn Kinney, Ray Campbell, Frank Kerr, Gene Robel.