W. Marvin Smith

At that time, he notarized the transfer of title for Hiss' 1929 Ford Model A Roadster to the Cherner Motor Company, which sold the car same day to one "William Rosen."

On August 20, 1948, Henry J. Gertler, secretary and treasurer of the Cherner Motor Company, testified before HUAC that W. Marvin Smith had notarized the gift of Hiss's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster to Cherner, which in turn sold it on the same day (July 23, 1936) to William Rosen (who resided at the home of one Benjamin Bialek).

Cherner later stated "I swear my life on it" that neither he nor Gertler had filled in details for "William Rosen" on the sale.

Just after Laurence Duggan's death later that year on December 20, 1948, the Associated Press reported: The widow of W. Marvin Smith, justice department employee who died in a five storey plunge 2 months ago, expressed belief today that his death was simply an accident.She told a reporter she feels certain it was not a suicide and was not connected in any way with his appearance as a minor witness in congressional hearings.

[5]In 1951, the Chicago Tribune newspaper speculated about "several suicides and mysterious deaths"[6] among spies and government officials mostly related to the Hiss Case, including: