Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-01-25
Stool Pigeon
On Stand i'm
Denny Trial
DEFENSE EXPOSES BACON
IN SYNDICALLSM
CASE
BY Dawn Lovelace


of Edward Denny, leader of the
single unemployed workers and
fourth Oregon worker to face
charges of criminal syndicalism,
reached dramatic climax after
climax during its first week, with
the forces of reaction pitted
against the working class.
The state began its case, with
Maurice Tarshis making the OPP
ening Statements poorly deliv.
cred connection of the stock
phrases about Moscow, destruc-
tioL of property, and taking over
the government.
Orders from Moscow"
According to his statement
land IL is borne out by prosecu-
tiOn methodist the state is prov
ing, besides the allegations that
are stated in the indictment,
that the Communist Party, when
it receives orders from Moscow
is to take over the government,
and that Communists advocate
the destruction of property to
carry out their end"
The Indictment charges that
Edward Denny, as well as Don
Cluster, Dirk De Jonge and Earl
Steward flour other workers are
charged on other indictments)
with conducting and assisting
in conducting an assemblage of
persons, organization and group,
to-wit, the Communist Party,
which . did then and there I'M
lawfully and feloniously teach
and advocate the doctrine of
criminal syndicalism and sabo-
tage -, against the peace and
dignity of the State of Oregon.
Gross Opens Defense
After the state made its open
ing statement to the jury, Harry
Gross made the opening state
ment in behalf of the defendant
and the working class. He point
ed out the time and method of
the arrests and raids; the back
ground and experiences of the de-
PENDANT; and the reasons why the
defendant found himself facing
the charge of criminal syndical-
ism.
The state then began putting
its witnesses on the stand-first,
three civilian members of the
Citizens Emergency League, who
testified as to the meeting at
which they served, first as stool
pigeons and litter as helpers in
the police raid.
Under cross-eXaminatiOn of the
earlier witnesses, the open, pub
lie nature of the mass meeting
was brought out, refuting the
allegation that it was "tO-wit,
the Communist Party"
Prosecution witness Sanders
introduced dramatic interest in
otherwise dull testimony. The
defense had brought out con-
stantly that the meeting was or
derby; that no one was barred
from attendance; that there was
no violence in the assemblage of
some 200 men, women and little
children.
Carried Gun. Club
Sanders, armed with gun, a
riot club, and in uniform enter
ed the hall at the zero hour, his
club in hand, along with his six
or seven armed colleagues.
"A man butted me with shout.
der at the door and showed me
with his hands," he said, but
didn't stop. l went on in," he
finished bravely. This CORES
pondent submits officer Sanders
as a candidate for the Congress
sional Medal of Honor. Such cour-
age should not go unrewardedJ
Sanders, although he stammer-
ed an evasive denial on the stand,
was heard to remark at the time
of the raid: I'D like to bend this
club around their necks."
The states star witness, who
put all the others in the shade,
began his testimony Thursday
afternoon and when court recess
ed Friday night, he was not
through telling all.
That is M. r. Bacon, who has
managed to cram more disreput-
able activity into his 81 years
than even he is entitled to. The
prosecution and the court on sew
eral occasions formed a united
front to protect Mr.. Bacon from
the probing, slashing questions
of the International Labor De-
tense attorneys, and Bacon is a
master at evasive testimony.
Bring Out Record
But nevertheless, his ill-smell-
ing record was brought out suffi-
GENTLY to make him an uncom-
Portable WITHSTAND to embar-
rass the prosecution. He was us
ed by the state to identity" the
Continued on Page 4. Col. 81