Evening star., 1938-10-30
BRIDGES AID LAID
TO MISS PERKINS
Dies Says Secretary Picked
Weak Case to Test
Deportation Power.
By the Associated Press.

Chairman Dies Of the House COM
mittee investigating un-American
activities accused Secretary Perkins
yesterday Of trying to protect rather
than to deport Harry Bridges, West
Coast labor leader.
The militant Texan, whose commit
tee was criticized by President Roose-
velt recently for its handling of testi-
nony against Gov. Frank Murphy Of
Michigan. charged that the Labor De-
partment chief and her assistants had
selected a weak case for a test in the
Supreme Court that would control the
Bridges deportation proceedings.
Representative Dies wrote Solicitor
General Robert H. jackson that "As
head Of the Labor Department, Miss
Frances Perkins is endeavoring to
throw the Strecker case in order to
save Harry Bridges, Communist and
alien labor leader, in violation Of the
laws Of the United States, the decision
Of our Federal courts, and her oath OF
office"
Secretary Perkins has delayed the
deportation proceedings against
Bridges, q c. I. o. leader, who is .
native Of Australia, until the Supreme
Court decides on the case Of Joseph
w. Strecker. That case involves the
question OF whether an alien may be
deported for joining the Communist
party.
Reply to Jackson.
Mr.. Dies letter replied, he said, to
an invitation from Solicitor General
Jackson that the Representative
participate in presenting the Strecker
case to the high court.
The Texan also announced he would
make public letters of President Roose-
welt and other administration leaders
in an effort to show that they have
refused to cooperate" In the commit
tees investigation of Communism and
Fascism.
Mr.. Dies said he would answer Presi-
dent Roosevelts criticism of the COM
mittee in a radio broadcast Monday
at HIS pm. over the Mutual system.
VT. w. LEADER HITS PROBE.
Calls Knowles Publicity Hungry" and
Charges Politics.
SAN FRANCISCO. Oct. 20 IT,
Patrick H. j. Farrell past national
commander of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, made public today telegram to
President Roosevelt in which Mr.. Far
rell said I'VE are heartsick" at the ac-
tons of the Dies Committee and asked
for "a statement by you to
counteract propaganda"
Mr.. Farrell termed Harper Knowles.
. witness before the Dies committee
investigating un-American activities,
'publicity-hungry resident" of Cali
fornia.
Mr.. Knowles. former district council
official of the American Legion here,
named many persons as Communists in
testimony before the committee.
Mr. Farrell came here from Los An
geles in the interests of Culbert L.
Olson, Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor of California.
His telegram to President Roose-
welt follows:
"Today's press carries news that
publicity-hungry resident of this State,
one Harper Knowles, attacked in Dies
committee hearing two California VOL
unteers in the World War, namely
Ellis e. Patterson, Democratic candi-
date for lieutenant governor, and John
Gee Clark, chairman Democratic State
Central Committee.
We are heartsick to see congress
sional committee so prostituted and re-
sent its exploitation by partisan Re-
publican interests.
We are proud of these men. Both
war veterans. members American Le-
gion and are most loyal Americans and
resent inference that national gov
ernmental agency condones attempts
to discredit them.
"A statement by you. released to
press in Washington, will reassure us
and counteract propaganda of the sub
sidized press. We rely on you for
what cannot be done here and are
deeply appreciative of your efforts
so far"