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CONFI LA 100-2586] ¥V. Informant advised that here in Southern California at the time of the 16th National Convention of the CP following the 20th congress in the Soviet Union, the centerlatea and those to the right of center were obviously in control and at the 16th National Convention the Southern California delegation,with one or two notable exceptions, were solidly behind the center and right wing position working with FRED FINE, SID STEIN, as well ae JOHN GATES in some aspects of the convention work, A small minority of this delegation worked with BEN DAVIS, ineluding CHARLENE MITCHELL, GLENDORA DAWSON and to a lesser degree ANITA ROSTODHA, all Negroes. Since that time the diatrict council in Southern California and the general leadership of the party have followed a position of careful center of the road policy regarding the National Committee question --o-8-- >> es well as local questions, In the last few months, however, particularly since the visits of LOUIS WEINSTOCK, and the arrival of PETTIS PERRY and the presence of PAUL ROBESON, the complexion of the diatrict council, as well as the general ' orientation of a. number of the district CP leaders has changed noticeably, so that today there has been a decided left swing orientation of the district leadership. While this by no means has been decisive, it marks a trend which can eaelly Lead to the removal of DOROTHY HEALEY, NEMMY SPARKS as well as BEN DOBSS from thelr positions of authority. It was noted at the last meeting of the ScDCouneil on 5/9/58 that all of the Negro delegates and Negro visitors sat in « boty at this meeting and seemed to be worlcing as an organized elique, When the time came for nominations to the National Committee, FRANK WHITLEY, ANITA ROSTODHA and others ‘tumped to their feet to nominate BILE TAYLOR, @ Negro, as if by pre- arrangement. While there has been an apparent desire for the most part on the part of PAUL ROBESON to stay away from CF functions as auch, he has appeared as the honored guest at a PW newspaper affair and alse at the present time his connection still continues to exist locally,in that anyone who sells a prescribed number of aubscriptions te the Fw er newspaper is rewarded with a gift of FAUL RORESON's bock. ) WA b TP there wae an indication at mee ti 1c Se rennin