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: | t- . GC - a RE 100-32986 CONE G | an employee".- NTIAL The "New York Herald Tribune", a newspaper published in New York City, on March 11, 1954, publishe1 an article which reflected that in testimony given by PETER A. GRAGIS of Levit- town, Long Island, a self-described former Cormunist, GRAGIS testified that he received a letter from Dr. KUNSTEIN asking for contributions for the American Committee for Spanish Freedom. GRAGIS stated that he collected $22 from fellov employees at the Federal Telecommunications Laboratories, Nutley, Ne Je, and that he made out a check to Dr. EINSTEIN fo: that amounts The purpose of the committee was to collect funcs to help hospitalized veterans of the Spanish Civil War aid their de- pendents. ee aoe The American Committee for Spanish Freedom was cited as Communist by Attorney General Tom Clark in a let- ter to the Loyalty Review Board released April 27, 1949. The Newark Evening News on March 11, 195, published an article which reflected that the subject had denied receiving money in 19,5 for the American Committee for Spanish Freedom. He stated "I cannot remember ever receiving money for such purpose and have no further comment", GRAGIS has advised that in 19,5 the engineers at the Federal Teleconmunications Laboratory in N. J. were attempt- ing to unionize the entire steff at this plant. EINSTEIN had discussed the matter with SHADWITZ and GHAGIS and recommended that they continue their efforts to forma union. Sometime in the latter part of 1945, EINSTEIN contacted him and asked him 4f he would collect funds for the American Committee for Spanish Freedom. GRAGIS was unable to elaborate on the method of this contact but does know that EINSTEIN did contact him. . GRAGIS then collected donations from various unrecalled FIL employees. He collected $21, which he deposited in his pere sonal account at the Bank of Great'Neck, N. Y. He then drew @ check which he forwarded to Dr. EINSTEIN. He was unable. to recall whether he had handed it to him personally or mailed it to hims When EINSTEIN mentioned the collection was for the American Committee for Spanish Freedom, GRAGIS stated, he at that time recognized the fact that this committee had some + affiliation with Communist activities, The check drawn by ~ .