Evening star., 1928-04-30
Labor Editor Charges Pitts
burgh Firm Gave Money
to Agitators.
VERBAL CLASH FOLLOWS.
TESTIMONY AT HEARING
Witness Attacks Lawyer, Who De-
mics Charges Against His
Clients.
Br the Assoclated PCS

By the Associated Press.
Charges that the Pittsburgh Coal Co.
mad financially aided Communist ac-
tivities' among the miners. were made
before the Senate coal committee today
0y Louis McGrew. editor Of the Labor
World. Pittsburgh, and we're immedi-
lately described as maliciously false By
Don Rose, counsel for the company.
McGrew had outlined what he call
ed history OF ''red propaganda" among
the coal miners Of Pennsylvania since
1900. In this connection he named the
save the union committee" and the
Pennsylvania and Ohio Relief Society"
whose late activities in that territory
have claimed the attention Of the Sen
ate investigation committee from time
TO time.
Reads Prepared Statement.
Senator Wheeler. Democrat, Montana,
asked, Who If anybody is financing this
new movement IL Pennsylvania"
The editor said he had not intended
to go into that but would read pre-
pared statement IN view Of the ques-
ton. adding that the Pennsylvania op-
orators had backed supposedly sediticuz
organizations.
I'VE deny that" said Rose.
McGrewS statement precipIlated a
fiery series Of personalities between him
and Rose.
4 don't think Mfr. McGrew believes
that there IS anything 20 what he said
shouted the attorney.
Listen here, Don, reto-ted the Wit
ness, you've done rougheE stuff than
that"
I'm not on trial" Rose returned
Wei, III put you on trizl," said Nc
Grew. If I told al know about you.
this ceiling would fall down. and III
come down here n two weeks and do IL.
You've been a 'dxer' ever since YOU be-
came attorney for the Pittsburgh Coal
Co. You can't deny thai 'BUttsy'
joyce IS your Jury hxer"
Il never fixed a jury IN my life" To
piled Rose, and there's nothing 70 Sny
Of this"
Says He Set Trap"
McGrew said that a telephone cal
rad come err1neouSly 20 his Office on
March 10. 1927. asking for Joe Witches
tain editor OF the National Labor
Tribune. He quoted the caller as say
ing. This is John Brophy Say. ice.
the balance Of that money IS due
today"
The editor said that John B Cooper
vas IN his oEfice az the time and that
they talked the matter over and de-
cided to set a trap for this meeting
which the caller had arranged 10 take
place between him and VitchsStaia-
The meeting place vas set for the
Seventh Avenue Hotel IN Pittsburgh,
said McGrew. and plans were so 6s-
vslopSd that VitcheStaln and John Bro
ply met al an appointed time McGrew
said that he followed VitcheStaIR, who
carried "a small brown Satciael> while
another man had arranged to keep
watch on the meeting place il the hotsI
corridor.
The editor quoted vitchestain as say
ing TO Brophy; MFR. Rose and Mr.
LeSher have talked this ever ard wSnt
you 20 put this paragraph III The cis'
cular. The paragraph mentioned. Nc
Grew said. was This call Is addressed
70 all unoEganized miners except those
who have taken the Jos Of striking
miners"
C. E, Lcsher. vice president Of the
Pittsburgh Coal Co. vas sitting beside
Rose in the committee room
Calls Himself Neutral
Previously Mr.. McGrew had outlined
10 the coal committee alleged efforts hy
radicals 10 perneate coal fields with
their philosophy.
He was interrupted at one point ey
Senator Wheeler. Democrat. Montana,
who asked whether he had checked I'D
70 see II any Of he radicals were IN the
employ Of the power interests" The
Montanan referred 20 evidence un-
earthed by the Federal Trade Commits
sion Investigation Of the power indus
try, but McGTew said he understood the
Radicals FhN tFaf
sStS in favorirg Government ownership
and operation Of lniuStxy.
The labor editor said he testified IS
"A neutral party 70 be helpful ~ This
situation" He told ef activities oy
Emma Goldman and William T. FoStsr
in the PENNSYLVANIA coal fields IN the
past, declaring that there was no
question that these fellows were trying
10 build up q Soviet republic here and
were backed by money from Soviet
Russia"
McGrew said Red agent had told
him that the Russians were gCtng 10
spend sec, ,0ae, 900 IN this country. add
ing 500 Red agents" had been pgt
IN the mines OF the TTi~State area pricr
20 the strike of April, 1901. eus that
their efforts had been a rank failure
The witnSSS said the Reds" were led
by Foster. and were "oat Go see JOlsn
l. Lewis, president Of the United Nine
Workers
There's no doubt az it, ne vent on.
Because they want 60 get q hold cA
the United Mine Workers and then
work into steel and the other industries
ike they have IN England, Ons-eigAth
of the pop0latson N Easland IS Ccaa-
nuniStic !"
Where did yoa set yoar fgareSG"
asked Wheeler
"From Scotland Yard. replied Nc
Grew.
He then said ne had counted 40
whom he said were Communists on
the platform fsom which tAe Mcn~
tanan had spoken IN PITTSBURGH
Wheeler langhea,
Throl,g nVNt his testimony MeSTew
laughed as did the few persons present
In the committee rom. Senator Qoff
broke IN az one point to ask, Lets
get away ffom this levsty and faee this
serious situation which YOU say Is ex-
lSting"
The West vtEStnian said ne wanted y
suggeStson for a remedy. and MSCrew
said ne could food the country with
publicity 10 offset sse0asasnglaiSsAc nrOna-
sanCas II Ne had the mcney,
II have had an unusual OppcFsnnlty
ta study these movements and expcSe
them as q mere aFeaas~ he said
'MeGFew said he had submitted some
az his facts to President Coollelge and
that he knew the President would
make CNaglgreSS STAY here uatN they
settle this situation,