The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-18
EMILY M. PERSON TAKES EXCEPTION TO MR. FREY'S STATEMENT TO THE
 DIES COMMITTEE
Cromwell, Conn.
 Aug. IT, 1898.

Aug. IT, 1898.
 Editor of the Waterbury Demo- crat:
 I am wondering If the rest of the evidence" Involving governmental agencies, organizations and indivi- duals, which is being offered before the Dies committee in Washington, is as inaccurate as the statements made about me. Material was pre- sented on August 18th by MT. Frey of the executive council of the American Federation of Labor, stat ing that l., "a prominent Communist agitator," had addressed the c. I. o. of New Britain, Connecticut. have never spoken before the c. I. O. of New Britain, and l have spoken only three times before any c. I. o. body. My only connection with the c. I. O. in New Britain was to run a movie machine for friend of mine there on one occasion. My al- legged "Communistic speech" that night was word of apology because I had been delayed for forty min- utes by medical appointment. However, for MT. Frey's information, I would state that have spoken on numerous occasions for American Federation of Labor bodies and have enjoyed doing so. Moreover, the New England organizer for the American Federation of Labor, MT. Francis P. Fenton, found some mov- ing pictures of mine so useful that he borrowed them, has been show ing them in New England, and has failed to return them up to the pres ent date. Most of my invitations to speak, however, have come from church organizations, civic bodies, business mems organizations, schools and women's clubs.
 There is no reason why MT. Frey should know or be interested in the fact that my speaking and social activities antedate the organization of the c. I. O. would, however, like him to become more familiar with my wicked record as a Com munist agitatof."
 After my graduation from Vassar College and after receiving an ad- vanced degree from Columbia Uni versity, was, fo- two years, head of the English department of Con- necticut high school. For the next eight years Twas state organizer of the Connecticut Woman Suffrage association, an experience, by the way, which has made me quite familiar with the type of attack at present being carried on by the re- acti1.ary Dies committee.
 After the successful continuation of our fight for "votes for women" in the United States, I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream of study ing medicine. received my M. D.. from Yale in 1924 and entered pri- vate practice in my home town. La- ter I was appointed health officer of this town, position which I still hold. My leisure time have con- tinued to devote to the support of progressive social and labor legisla- tion, my chief efforts being in. the movement for world peace.
 As for my views on Communism: have visited the Soviet Union three times. With each succeeding visit, my admiration has grown for this young socialist republic, which, in the midst of worldwide depres- sion, is moving to greater and great CT prosperity; which is today the chief supporter of world peace and of the sanctity of international agreements. On returning to the United States, investigated Amer ican Communism. I Ind the Con- munists law-abiding citizens, up- holders of democracy, true friends of united labor movement, and un- wavering supporters of world peace. find their constitution condemns the use of force and violence. More over. I find in their constitution a pledge to oppose any and all groups seeking to undermine American democratic institutions. see noth- ing in the American Communist party to warrant the attacks being made by the Dies committee and similar groups.
 have long believed that our democratic ideals will find their fullest realization in a fundamental