The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-03-30
Red Meet
Described
by Foster
Defendant in Syndicalism
Trial Takes Stand-Says He
Was Present at Mich
igan Conference.
Admits Radical Activities

st. Joseph, Mich. March 29.-Will
with criminal syndicalism for assem-
bling in the Michigan sand hills with
an organization alleged to have been
formed to advocate the overthrow OF
the United States government by
force and violence, took the stand III
his own behalf today and, admitting
his presence at the communist CON
vention. denied all connection with
the organization.
He denied that he had filled out a
QUESTIONABLE at the convention in
which his occupation was stated as
industrial organizer of the communist
party of America, and he denied he
had been issued n portfolio containing
radical documents.
Foster admitted on cross -examina-
tsOu that he had sat in one meeting
OF the presidium, or governing body of
the convention.
did you appoint your successor on
the presidium when you left?' O. l..
Smith. assistant attorney general,
asked.
No" he answered
No Long Speeches.
Unlike Charles L. Ruthenberg. first
witness for the defense and one OF
Fosters codefendants, Foster made no
long speeches from the witness stand,
nor did he try to engage in argu.
ments with the attorneys.
Speaking in a voice so low that,
al times, it was almost inaudible above
the rustic of the crowded court
room. he confided his replies to a
Yes. sir. or no. SIR" unless some ex-
planation was necessary.
Dffident and seemingly almost
hashful, with a shy and bashful smile
1T times for jury and spectators, there
was nothing in his bearing to indicate
le was the man who organized more
than 200, 900 steel workers and led the
great 1919 steel strike. or who, nc
eording to his own statements, has
aeen an active revolutionary leader
'or nearly 20 years.
Tale OF Radical Activities.
His story, on both direct and cross
examination, was one of years of
eadleal and union activities. At vari-
aus times I'm his career, he said. he
ass been II member of the l. " W..
iecretary of the syndicalist League
II North America. student of radical
movements abroad, leader OF many
strikes. delegate 10 radical meetings
md correspondent in Russia, member
Il the Seamens union, Railway Car
Wen and other organizations and for
the last two years a subscriber to the
MARKHAM communistic school of radi-
cal thoughts.
Under examination by Frank P.
Walsh, his attorney Foster repre-
sented as much as he said he could
remember of the speech he delivered
at the communist convention. He
said he had told the delegates there
of a trip taken through the shops of
the striking men from where he had
returned just before the convention
net.
On cross. examination Mr.. Smith
brought out that Foster was in
ogden, Utah. about the latter part
II July or first OF August and then
lsked him II he was accompanied on
he trip by Joseph Kowalski.
Foster denied knowing kowalski.
Kowalsky is a Russian who was
arrested in Chicago in the January
1921, raids and deported TO Russia. lie
slipped back into the United states
and when caught last fall in New
York. was tried and sentenced to
YEAR and a day In Atlanta, when he
VIII again face deportation.