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Before I start, Ernie.cal, if you feeeeeeeeel you must reply keep it public -- no emails this time please.

Here are some facts on just one of the disparaged Americans, Matt Cvetic.

Matt Cvetic had knowledge of the Slav languages. In the early 1940s when he was contacted by the FBI that was a big plus because that meant he was well qualified to infiltrate the higher echelon of the Soviet apparatus in the U.S.

Mr. Cvetic could not get into the armed services at just 5'4" according to his friend George Putnam. The service he was to perform for his country would be unpaid the FBI told him until he reached the goal of becoming a Communist Party member. His personal sacrifice for America would be as great as most uniformed service members in terms of putting everything behind including his family. He kept his employment at the United States Employment Service in Pittsburgh.

As the 1940s passed Mr. Cvetic paid a heavy price in terms of being under constant watch by CPUSA and becoming despised by Americans for being a CPUSA member. (His family and friends weren't in the self-described "intellectual" class, they were Americans, they didn't "understand" how harmless and good Uncle Joe Stalin was.) Described by some as "a hard-drinking lout" but unlike the fat drunk, pickled-brained Ted Kennedy super rich liberals of America Mr. Cvetic's drinking disqualifies his accomplishments because he is "on the wrong side." That's the spin.

He was never a FBI agent. Over time he provided tons of information on the CPUSA and its members. Thus he is an enemy of America's chattering class and their fringe elements.

His major crime, beyond being anti-communist, was being the inspiration for radio and movie dramas. A no-no, reaches too many people. Bad for the silly twits and self-described "intellectuals."

Americans like Herb Philbrick and Mr. Cvetic, real-life volunteer undercover agents for America's FBI throughout most of the forties, had an inside view of characters straight out of a Monty Python movie swooning over Uncle Joe Stalin. Yes, people love Uncle Joe's quest for a workers' paradise to this day. As silly as they are some of them are dangerous.

William:

Nice to hear from you again. Your description of Matt Cvetic's career is only partially accurate. You choose to ignore all derogatory information because, I suppose, you don't want any "dirty linen" brought to public attention.

For those FR readers who are interested in factual information about Matt Cvetic's career, I recommend
"Anti-Communism, the FBI and Matt Cvetic: The Ups and Downs of a Professional Informer" by Daniel J. Leab in the October 1991 issue of The Pennsylvania Magazine of History of Biography. Or, for a more thorough examination, consult Leab's 2000 book entitled "I Was A Communist For The FBI: The Unhappy Life and Times of Matt Cvetic."

Leab, a Professor of History at Seton Hall University, acquired all FBI files on Cvetic and interviewed numerous persons who knew Cvetic.

Here are a few salient points about Matt Cvetic based upon court records and FBI documents:

* 1939 - Cvetic was indicted for aggravated assault and battery upon his sister-in-law which was dismissed after he agreed to pay her $340 doctor's bill arising from a broken wrist. When questioned about his assault in a court proceeding during 1950, Cvetic commented: "A very recognized habit, it is an American custom...I don't know, since when it was a crime to beat up your sister-in-law anyhow."

Also in 1939, Cvetic's first wife sued him for non-support but Cvetic and his wife reconciled later in the year.

* 1955 - According to the deposition of a medical records clerk in United States v. Nelson, Cvetic was confined in St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburgh PA for the periods February 17 to March 5, 1955; March 19 to March 26, 1955, and May 21 to May 28 1955. The diagnosis on the first occasion was "depressive reaction (anxiety)" and "alcohol addiction" and on the other occasions it was "alcohol addiction."

Cvetic's son stated that his father "used liquor heavily for a period of five years" but he joined A.A. and quit drinking altogether until February 1955.

Dr. W.J. Kelly, wrote the following information on a 2/17/55 hospital admission document:

"I have formed my opinion that he is mentally ill from the following facts indicating mental disease. Patient is restless, agitated, has a suspicious attitude, seems afraid, admits drinking heavily of late. Is admitted as a chronic alcoholic."

Cvetic received 4 electric shock treatments and doctors released him with a "good" prognosis. However, Cvetic was re-admitted on March 19th.

Cvetic was asked about his mental condition in a 1951 court case. He admitted that over a period of years going back to 1929, he had been very nervous and suffered from "a nervous stomach and a nervous heart condition". He acknowledged treatment over the years by a psychiatrist and neurologist at St. Francis Hospital.

A newspaper reporter who was friendly to Cvetic reported that he had a "hard time" staying away from "booze and babes". In 1947 the Bureau became aware of Cvetic's pursuit of women, other than his wife.

Monsignor Charles Owen Rice, a prominent priest in Pittsburgh during the 1940's known for his hard-line anti-Communist views, observed that Cvetic "was perceived to be a schmuck by the people dealing with him" and consequently "was treated like one."

Despite being the FBI's highest paid security informant, Cvetic constantly complained about his debts and repeatedly demanded more money. In 1948 he demanded at least $100 weekly and he threatened to quit if he didn't get the raise.

December 1948: The Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office recommended to J. Edgar Hoover the "immediate discontinuance" of Cvetic due to his erratic behavior and repeated instances where he revealed his informant status. Hoover's staff agreed but delayed taking action until January 3, 1950 due to court proceedings where they wanted Cvetic to testify.

In 1949, the FBI described Cvetic as "moody...subject to alternating periods of enthusiasm, self-pity, and depression." A Pittsburgh FBI Agent referred to Cvetic's "neurotic personality."

February 1953: J. Edgar Hoover tells subordinates to inform government attorneys that "the use of Cvetic in any government case would be most unfortunate" thus confirming Pittsburgh FBI reports which characterized Cvetic as "definitely unreliable" and capable of "dishonest statements."

June 1955: the Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit rendered an opinion that found Cvetic's testimony to be "conflicting", "evasive" and of "no more probative value than...tattlings from a town meeting." Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Justice formally "disapproved use of Cvetic as a witness in Government prosecution."

1956: The FBI severely reprimanded Cvetic arising from Cvetic's jealousy of Herbert Philbrick. Philbrick had developed a more lucrative anti-Communist career than Cvetic. Cvetic was questioned about statements he allegedly made against Philbrick. Charges were made that Philbrick had paid "kickback money" to two FBI agents. Cvetic allegedly also claimed that Philbrick was, in reality, a "leftwinger". Further, Cvetic allegedly had made statements about J. Edgar Hoover's drinking habits.

A Bureau memo states that Cvetic was "forcefully told" that he should "shut up" and that the "Bureau would not tolerate malicious gossip or false statements regarding the Director, the FBI, or Bureau personnel." A contrite Cvetic apologized profusely, but to no avail. Subsequent Cvetic correspondence to the Bureau from Cvetic was never acknowledged.