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swe IDNs Uy OM Aw eUNKo tare etree Peres io a ae Se MK 100-32986 - (Uh: » an employee". _ The "New York Herald Tribune”, a newspaper published in New York City, on Mareh 11, 1954, published an article which reflected that in testimony given by PETE A. GRAGIS of Levit- town, Long Island, a selfedeacribed former Coimunist, GRAGIS testified that he received e lotter from Dr. RINSTEI! asking for contributions for the American Committee for Spanish Froodom. GRAGIS stated that he collected 21 from fellov employzes at the Federal Ttelecommmicntions Laboratories, Nutley, N. J., and that he made out a check to Dr. EINSTEI!! for that amount. The purpose of the committee was to collect funcs to helr hospitalized veterans of the Spanish Civil War eid thelr de- -pendents. The American Committee far Spanish Freedom was cited as Communist by Attorney General Tom Clark in 6 let- ter to the Loyalty Review Board released April 27, 194°. The Newark Evening Nevs on March 11, 1954, published .an article which reflected that the subject had denied receiving money in 19,5 for the American Comaittee for Spanish Freedom. He stated "I cannot romember ever receiving money for such purpose and have ne further comment". GRAGIS har advised that in 195 the engineers st the Federal Telecommunications Laboratory in N, J. were attempt- ing to unionize the entire steff at this plant. HINSTETN had discussed the matter with SHADCWITZ and GhAGIS and recommended that they continue their efforts tc form a union. Sometine in the latter part of 1945, EINSTEII contacted him and asked him if he weuld ccllect funds for the American Comittee for Spenish Freedom, GHAGIS was unable to elaborate on the method of this contect but does know that EINSTEIN did contact hin, GRAGIS then collected donations from various unrecalled FIL employees. He collected #21, which he deposited in his per- sonel account at the Bank cf Great Neck, N. Y. He then drew a check which he forwarded to Dr. EINSTEIN. He was unable to recall whether he had handed i+ to him personally or mailed 4t to hime When EINSTEIN mentioned the collection was for the Anerican Committee for Spanish Freedom, GRAGIS stated, he at that time recognized the fect that this committee had some affiliation with Communist activities. The check drawn by