Evening star., 1937-01-22

Ions was one George Llchtenberger,
whose success at breaking up machine
lists locals in the Fall River-New Bed
ence and affidavits.
Since the committees findings have
uncovered the union sabotaging ac-
tivities OF several Of the associations
agents. their names have been fur
nished to the local headquarters of the
International Machinists' Union for
circulation to all locals.
Although the witnesses denied that
the association maintains black
list" for employment purposes, Chair
man La Toilette introduced into the
record several lists of workers who had
been known to belong to unions and
to have engaged in strikes. The lists
were included in correspondence pass
ing between the association and en-
ployer members.
The association officials on the
stand today were Homer D. Sayre,
chief executive officer; o. R. Abbott,
employment manager, and L. A.
Stringham, Eastern representative.
Turning to the associations activi-
ties in connection with legislation, La
Toilette gained admission that they
opposed the Wagner labor relations
act and the social security act.
Bulletin Sent Workers.
In the case Of the latter law, an as
ISOLATION bulletin to workers stated
that the taxes collected for the act are
to be used for general purposes OF gov
eminent.
Senator La Toilette directed his first
questioning at Abbott, the employment
manager, who testified that only six
undercover men are on the associa-
tion's pay roll at present, although SO
were listed when committee subpoenas
were served several weeks ago. The
agents are known as special contract
operatives.
rs it the job of some of these agents
to investigate the attitude Of workers
toward joining unions?" La Toilette
asked.
"Yes," Abbott replied.
How many of these 80 operatives
were members of labor unions?"
possibly H." Abbott answered.
"Were any Of them officers Of local
unions?"
Possibly"
Abbott then identified an applica-
ton form such as those filled out by
persons seeking strike-breaking jobs.
La Toilette then read to the wit
nesses the affidavit Of Eckhardt, re-
lating how he had answered an ad-
yertisement in the New York Ameri-
can and had been asked to appear at
the New York office Of the association,
where "Capt. Joseph Holman" rep
resenting himself as an officer OF the
Government, had sent him to a Job
with the Pratt-Whitpey Aircraft Corp.
Of Hartford. Subsequently, he had
been sent to the Boston. Gear Co. plant,
"Capt. Holman" claiming throughout
that the Government was interested
In sabotage in those plants.
At the Boston plant, however, Eek
hardt said he was ordered to join the
Machinists' Union.
"It was then that I learned for the
FIRST time that the N. M. T. A. was
nothing but spy agency used for the
purpose Of breaking up unions" Eek
hardt's affdavit stated. He then quit
the Boston job and returned to his
New York home.
In addition to refusing to pay him,
Eckhardt wrote, Holman started visit
ing his home to urge him to return
to work.
HE then became very unpleasant"
Eckhardt wrote, land warned me not
to say anything about what had tran
spired between the association and
myself.
HE threatened me and told me
that if I did not keep secret what had
happened had better watch out. He
called several times when I was not
1T home and spoke to my wife and
also warned her"
do you have an employe named
Joseph Holub?" La Toilette asked
stringham.
"Yes," the witness answered.
"B that the Capt. Holman"
eyes, the same man." Stringham
admitted. @ ~
At this point, Sayre interjected.
"This Is the first time ever heard
-.