The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-11-23
LOOKING FORWARD
By FRANKLIN MAILMAN
Publicity Director, Republican National Committee

This is the fourth of series by Mr.
Mailman in which he gives his I'M
pressions of a recent trip across
the country)
Out on the Pacific Coast political
discussions center around a single
topic-namely, what Harry Bridges
and radical labor agitators have done
to the commerce and industry of that
section of the country. Harry Bridges
is singled out for mention by name,
because he symbolizes to those on the
Pacific Coast the excuses of labor
organizations and also the evils of the
New Deal.
The Australian-b born, alien, leader
of the Pacific Coast Longshoreman's
organizations, is blamed for most Of
the labor troubles on the West Coast.
His excuses, it is commended, have
encouraged other labor groups to eX-
cesses. The New Deal, in turn, it is
contended, has encouraged Harry
Bridges in his activities.
Consequently, out in California,
Oregon and Washington, Harry Bird
ges is very much of live political
issue. The fact that the Federal
Government has required him to show
cause why he should not be deported
as a Communist intent on overthrow
ing by violence the American form Of
government has not allayed the re-
sentiment against Bridges.
Bridges On Trial
Indeed, it has increased this re-
sentiment, since the newspapers in the
three Pacific Coast States for several
weeks devoted pages of each issue to
the printing of testimony in the So
called Bridges trial" This has fed
the discussions. But not many people
believe Bridges will be deported.
1t is not intended in this place to
discuss that question pending the
completion of the deportation inquiry
Whether Bridges is a Communist and
whether the Communists advocates
overthrow of the Government by VIC
lence are the questions to be de-
termined in the hearings conducted by
James NJ. Lands. On the answer
found to those questions by the Gov
eminent examiner will rest Bridges
chances to remain in this country. He
is entitled to his day in court.
One fact beyond all controversy
about Bridges, however, is that he is
not an American citizen. Another is
that he has been distinctly disturb.
ing influence for some years now or
the Pacific Coast. Still another is
that he has operated with the en-
enlargement and goodwill of the
Roosevelt Administration. For in
stance, Secretary of Labor Perkins is
reliably reported to have referred tt
Bridges on occasion as "my boy
Harry. Certainly, through C, l. O
John L. Lewis, Bridges has had the
sympathy of the Roosevelt Ad-
ministration.
New Deal Support Remarkable
Leaving aside all question Of
whether Bridges is a Communist, en-.
enlargement and support of this labor
agitator by the Roosevelt Administra-
ton is a rather remarkable thing
Here is a case where an alien has the
support of the American Government
in harassing American commerce, in.
dustry, and shipping.
AS a result of Bridges activities
for example, a large part of the
Pacific Coast shipping in recent
months has disappeared. Until only
few days ago there were no Ameri
can flag ships operating between
Seattle and the Orient for more thar
a year. Operators of American ships
plying between the Atlantic anc
Pacific Coasts suspended such service
rather than suffer the losses caused
them by Bridges activities.
Nor were the shipping interests the
only losers, Business throughout the
Pacific Coast States felt the impact
Of this suspension of shipping. 81
did farmers who found it more diff
cult and costly to get their products
to markets.
What British Would Do
Does anyone suppose that if Johr
L. Lewis went to England and under
took to organize a strike of the Goa
miners there that the British Govern