In 1931, the young graduate student applied for membership in the Communist Party USA in the wake of his friend Solow. At the time of his application, Morrow was advised by New York District Organizer Israel Amter that he would be of greater service to the party as a "secret" member of the organization rather than as a known public figure. Morrow was told by Amter to consider himself a party member, and his application was squirreled away in Amter's desk.