Detroit tribune. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1933, 1933-07-08
lid CLAIMS HE
STOLE FORD CAR
Won Extra diti O n
Fight Against Ga.
Chain Gang
S e We d Forty-Five
Days For Stealing


A rift, threatening for the past
months, has cropped up in the re-
iations between Jesse Crawford
and the League of Struggle for
Negro Rights and the Internation-
al Labor Defense.
The International Labor Defense
1defended Crawford in his fight
against extradition to a Georgia
chain gang last winter after
Crawford, who had escaped from
the chain gangSyhere he was serv-
ing sentence for robbery, had
been arrested by Detroit police.
Following Crawford's successful
fieht against extradition he was
sent on lecture tour throughout
Michigan explaining the horrible
conditions in the Georgia chain
gangs.
. Caused Much Trouble
However, in the last three
months the escaped convict has
caused the officials much concern
with his alleged habit for taking
what is not his own.
Crawford. according to the Of
ficials OF the two organizations,
completed As day sentence three
weeks ago for stealing tires. He
was arrested and sentenced un-
der an assumed name.
Last Friday night Crawford
created the final rupture between
the two organizations and himself
when he stole n Ford coupe be-
longing to one OF the members
who was attending a meeting at
the Mt. Olive Baptist church.
Crawford, according to the Off
Gals, dismantled the car and dis
posed of the parts. The work was
done in private garage on East
Palmer Street.
The officials of the two organi-
Nations have declared that they
will not prosecute the case against
Crawford. However they have
washed their hands of the former
Georgia convict.
The following statement, ex-
Manning their position, was issu-
ed by the two organizations:
To All Workers Organizations:
The League of Struggle for Ne
no Rights and the international
Il Labor Defense wishes to make
their position clear in regard to
their relation to and in defense Of
Jesse Crawford against extradition
to the Georgia Chain Gang.
In defending Crawford from ex-
tradition, the League Of Struggle
for Negro Rights and the Interna-
tional Labor Defense were defend
ing a principle which they will
continue TO defend: that OF strug-
Cling against the persecution and
exploitation of the Negro people
and the toiling masses generally,
against the oppression of the rul-
ing class. Crawford was and is
under no obligation to us for this
defense.
However, in the course of Craw-
ford's association with the LSNR
and LID, he has demonstrated
himself to be irresponsible and
having habits that are contrary to
our principles. in fact, anti-work-
ing class is their character and
extremely dangerous for workers
and working class organizations.
that of taking, misplacing or de-
stroying the property of workers
organizations. utilizing workers
organizations to appropriate work.
ers' property.
We wisr to notify all workers
organizations that due to this con-
auct of Crawford's. we are sever
ing all connections with Crawford:
and warn the members of our or
Plantations and other working
class organizations against Craw-
ford's conduct and methods.
Signed
League OF Struggle for Negro
Rights
International Labor Defense
However. we will continue 10 de-
fcnd fugitives from the southern
chain gangs which are used as a
Mons OF oppression OF both Negro
NWf white workers in the south.