The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-10-27
LID. HAS PROOF
THAT PETERSON
IS INNOCENT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE oNE)

NCON JED NUN FANL ONGy
girls, was permitted to smuggle re-
volver into the prison and fire three
shots into Peterson. He is held on
the Identification" Of his hat by Mel
Williams, sister of one of the dead
women and who was with them at
the time Of the shooting. She Eden
titled" him from a passing car, but
later narrowed down the identified
ton" to a slit in his hat.
In an attempt TO cover up their
part in the murderous attack on Pc
terson in the county jail, deputy
sheriffs are spreading the rlunor that
the gun with which Dent Williams
shot Peterson was passed to him by
his sister, Mel, who had brought it.
into the prison In her handbag.
1t is also rumored here that the
sheriff admits he has the wrong man
but has stated, I'VE got a. niger
anyway" This determination to
frame up Negro-any Negro--in
connection with the murder Of the
two society women has featured the
case from the very beginning. Prior
to Peterson's arrest, scores Of other
Negro workers had been arrested. The
authorities used the murder Of the
two society women as pretext for q
murderous terror against the Negro
workers, and an attack on the Com
munist Party. The homes Of many
Negro workers were searched for
Communist literature. Militant Ne
gro and white workers we're thrown
into prison on all sorts Of pretexts.
Negro workers were shot down in the
streets by Birmingham police in uni
form. Two men and a woman were
murdered in this way.
Governors Investigation" a White
wash.
Governor Miller's so-called inter
vention in the case has only resulted
in the whitewashing OF the city and
county officials who permitted Dent
Williams to shoot down Peterson
while the latter was held in the coun-
ty Jail.
An indictment was rushed through
against Peterson even while it was
believed that he was dying Of the
wounds received from Dent Williams
pistol. And now, in order to whip
up lynch sentiment for the trial,
Sheriff Hawkins has announced that
the militia will guard the courthouse.
So strong is the general belief in the
innocence Of Peterson that not the
slightest demonstration has been
made against him while he has been
confined in the hospital where he is
recovering from his wounds. The
gesture OF now calling out the militia
is to give substance to the claim of
the authorities that they have case
against him.
Negro Reforrnists In Betrayal Move.
The Negro reformists are playing
their usual role of helping the white
boss lynchers. A few weeks ago
Negro boss barber was dug up by
the police TO testify that Peterson
had taken a shave In his shop and
had expressed doubt that any of the
Negroes then held under arrest was
guilty Of the crime. This simple fact
is played up to make it appear that
Petersons disbelief In the guilt of
others was based on his knowledge of
his own guilt. The Negro reformists
had also contributed to the fund for
the reward for the frame-up of a
Negro worker in connection with the
case. Rev. Goodgain, pastor Of the
Sixth Avenue Baptist Church South,
is now attempting to prevent the Ne
gro workers from rallying TO the de-
Tense of Peterson, assuring them tina,
Peterson will get Justice" If the
Negro workers do not permit the Reds
to organize them. Goodgain has Of
fered to contribute $1,000 out of the
personal fortune he has built up by
robbery Of the Negro masses to build
ing the city viaduct, in order to show
his confidence in the white boss
lynchers.
Heflln TO BE Trial Judge.
Peterson's wife has signed q con-
tract for the defense OF her husband
by Albert Rosthenthai, LID. sttor-