How Communists Operate: An Interview with J. Edgar Hoover

Q Do your studies of the Communist techniques over the years show that the Communists are trained to lie about their status?

A The basic premise of Communism is deceit and hypocrisy. The Communist philosophy teaches that every available means must be utilized to achieve the final end—world revolution. For this reason the Communist will lie, cheat and resort to any tactics which will gain his end. He will advocate today exactly what he denounced yesterday. And with a straight face! Has he lied? No, he will say, he's only carrying out party policy. The concept of morality and fair play, as practiced in our democracy, is alien and repugnant to him. Moreover, the Communists employ a purposive double-talk, roundabout style, known as "Aesopian language," in their literature and speeches, designed to deceive and evade to clothe their true thoughts. This technique, utilized by Lenin, is the very epitome of deceit.

Q What does membership in the Communist Party really mean? Does it mean a formal joining or does it mean informal adherence?

A When an individual joins the Communist Party he agrees to accept, in full, the principles of Marxism-Leninism. I mentioned previously that to accept these teachings means, in the final analysis, working for world revolution—in the boots of Russian imperialism—and the destruction of American democracy.

There is no halfway point: The individual accepts fully these obligations or he does not become a member. If later he refuses to abide by these rules—as defined by the party hierarchy—he is "expelled." This is no "informal adherence." You are either a full member or an "enemy."

No More Party Cards

Q Do Communist members carry cards any more? Did they previously carry cards?

A As a security measure no Communist Party membership cards were issued in 1949. In previous years, with certain exceptions, they were issued. I might mention, in this connection, that the open maintenance of membership records has been discontinued. Today the Communist Party is becoming more and more deceitful and underhanded in its operations.

Q Are there any sections of the country which are relatively free from Communists?

A Communists may be found in most sections of the United States. Of course, in some areas, the Communists are more thickly located than in others. But, as a general rule, the Communists are less strong in agricultural areas. And there is a reason for this.

Q In what centers do Communists tend to congregate?

A The Communists are strongest today in the industrial areas of the United States—in States such as New York, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan. Of course, these States being heavily populated, you would expect more members there than in the less populated States. But that is not the entire reason. The Communists, as a basic principle of infiltration, are interested in possessing strength in heavy industry, that is, coal, steel, rubber, automobile, etc. It is here that, in event of an emergency, they can do their greatest harm to the country's economy.

Moreover, in these industries one Communist Party member located in a strategic job can wreak damage completely out of proportion to his own strength. Through this "heavy-industry concentration policy" the Communists are able to exercise a power far in excess of their numbers. In fact, one of the highest ranking leaders of Communism in the United States has openly admitted:

"The Communist Party bases its work directly upon the mills, mines and factories, Its principle is to make every shop a fortress for Communism...It concentrates its work upon the heavy industries and those of a war character."