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| 81. APPENDIX I. SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT COMMUNISM It is important to distinguish sharply between information about Communism and information about Communists* The one is rather easily obtain- ed, while the other is most difficult to ascertain. The publications listed in this section afford a fairly clear picture of the current Communist Party Line, As a rule, Communists are not too secretive in this regard, although a person familiar with the subject will be able to read much between the lines in Communist periodicals* Likewise the various proletarian (socialist, social democratic, Trotskyite) anti-Communist publications are invaluable for high- lighting strategies of the moment, important front organizations, and leading members or fellow travelers. Of this group, the New Leader appears to be the best, Information about Communists who conceal their identity is not easily obtained. Many indications are useful, but none of them is conclusive. The following of the Party Linej association with known Communists; frequent and favorable mention in Party or "front" publications——all these at best merely afford grounds for suspicion. If a subject is studied *ver a considerable ' period of time, and is known to follow all the drastic vagaries of the Line, suspicion deepens into virtual certainty. On the other hand, a mere fompila- tion of names on the letterheads of front organizations, a tactic much favored by the Dies Committee, is a most dangerous procedure, A gullible liberal who can be inveigled into one organization can just as easily be duped into j*in- . ing twenty. The techniques for ascertaining concealed Communists are not widely available. Generally experts in a given field can detect Communists. Thus, labor leaders are usually well-inf atoned as to the Communists in their particular jurisdiction. In many cities, the police have fairly accurate data. Such devices as shadowing suspected individuals, the use of informants, and the like can give certainty. But since the value of this type of information can vary according to the 9*nipetence and reliability of the sources used, it can be easily seen that much of the data on Communists should be suspect. All this does not imply that the task is hopeless, but only that it should be entrusted to experts* The contacts, background, character, and judgment required for this work is such that few writers can be trusted implicitly. The very secrecy which surrounds the problem is an invitation for frauds and quacks to vend their wares* The material listed below should be adequate for a knowledge of the Party Line, current policies, major front organizations, and favored groups. If used carefully, it could give some indications as regards individuals. But for certainty in regard to other than admitted Communists, competent local sources should be consulted* There are listed hereinafter those periodicals which are deemed necessary in order to provide current information on the various views tf Communist activity in the United States: PERIODICALS PRESETTING THE SOVIET POINT OF VIEW "Information Bulletin, Embassy of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic" |