Replies

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.

RE: "Hoover's staff agreed but delayed taking action [to fire Cvetic] until January 3, 1950 due to court proceedings where they wanted Cvetic to testify."

Looks like he had some value to America. As you know 1950 was his last year as a FBI informant.

Here is a googled book review of Leab's book. Looks like Mr. Cvetic done pretty good for America IMO. So he had a drinking problem. I noted that. Should all things be removed from our society if they were created by a drunk? by someone who visited a doctor? by someone charged with a misdemeanor?

www.historycooperative.org/cgi-bin/justtop.cgi?act=justtop&url=http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ jah/89.1/br_108.html

"The end of the Cold War has done little to stem the flood of Cold War studies. Indeed, the opening of new archives in the United States and the former Soviet Union has spurred the publication of hundreds of new books. Daniel J. Leab's slender study of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) informer Matt Cvetic, based on declassified bureau records, provides a small but fascinating addition to this literature.

"Cvetic was one of a small army of FBI informers who infiltrated the U.S. Communist party during World War II. From 1943 to 1950, he held a number of mostly low-level party posts in the Pittsburgh area. Quietly terminated by the bureau in early 1950, he nevertheless became a star witness before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, subsequently testifying in dozens of anticommunist trials, deportation hearings, and other quasi-judicial proceedings. His testimony helped crush what little remained of the Communist party in western Pennsylvania. A few party leaders were imprisoned for violating the Smith Act. Other members of the party and affiliated front organizations were fired or suspended, among them a violinist with the Pittsburgh Symphony, a high school English teacher, and a laborer for the city's parks department." [end excerpt]

His argument with Philbrick sounds like what goes on between todays local talk show hosts here in Sacramento. I care about results and he got 'em.

Cvetic never killed anyone while he was drunk.