The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-05-29
By JOHN R. BEAL

t4RrTy ~. Bridges, PaclIc coast ClO
leader, and several said they were
unable to reconcile It with Presi-
dent Roosevelt's recent commuta-
eion Of the sentence of Earl Brow
der, American Communist leader,
b the interest Of national unity"
Generally they favored the de-
portation order.
Labor leaders and one congress-
man, Rep. Vito Marcantonio, Amer
1can-Laborite, N. Y, denounced 1t
rs blow to national unity and the
war effort.
The United Press could find no
congressman who would comment
On the possible effect the action
might have on relations between
the United States and the Soviet
Union, military ally against the
Axis.
Attorney General Francis Bid
dies order ruled that Bridges must
be deported because he had been
afIiliated with the Communist party
4 and the Communist party in this
| country advocates the violent over
throw Of the government.
Congress Of Industrial Organiza-
eion leaders charged that the order
was e blow not only at all con-
cepts Of American justice but even
more q blow at national unity and
morale necessary for victory in the
war against the Axis"
Congressman Speak
Sen. Robert r. Reynolds, D., N.
c., hoped It would add support for
his bill pending in the Senate that
would outlaw the Communist party,
the German American Bund and
other organizations advocating vio-
lent overthrow Of the government.
But puzzlement over the inability
to see what they thought should
have been a logical relationship in
the handling Of the Bridges and
Browder cases, was the most appar-
ent reaction in Congress.
"This ought to cancel out the
Browder release" Sen. John A.
Danaher, r., Conn, said. tits all
in the interest Of national unity"
Sen. Robert A. Taft, r., O.,
couldn't "quite understand" Biddle's
decision. Sen. Gerald p. Nye, r.,
N. D., thought 1t well that "the long
delayed decision comes now"
Sen. Frederick Van Mugs, D., Ind,
said: "Not being responsible for the
Browder communication, I can't say
how the two actions can be recon-
cile0 It was a very wholesome
move"
The lone dissent in Congress, thus
FAR, came from Marcantonio, who,
I: until the Germans invaded Russia,
consistently voted against all de-
fensa appropriations and other adj
nninistration bills.
Il wonder how much Mr.. B!ddle
expects to gain by appeasing the
enemies Of labor and Adolf's (Iit-
ier) pals in this country who have
been asking for Brkges' scalp"
Marcantonio said.
docs he think this country can
buy o truce from those enemies by
throwing them Harry Bridges?
chamberlain and Daladier tried 1t
and failed"
CLIO Defended Bridges
CDO President Philip Murray said
IN q formal statement that the CLIO
had defended Bridges since the first
attempts to deport him were made
IN 1888 and praised his service to
the country In facilitating, as head
Of the unionized Pacific coast wa
terfront workers, the shipment Of
supplies to the war fronts.
'''It would be grave disservice to
our country and to the cause Of the
democratic nations fighting Hitler
Ism to undermine this contribution
by carrying out an order that is
based neither on the facts nor on
plain common sense" Murray said.
Borne Halling, executive secre-
tary Of the CLIO Maritime commit
tee, said the order was "the first
major victory of Hitler's spring
offensive.
Biddle,s order closed to Bridges
all appeals through administrative
channels. Bridges may, however,
appeal through the courts on a
habeas corpus writ when and If
he is taken into custody.
Biddle said he expected Bridges
to do so. 1t will take at least a
year to get the issue to the supreme
court.
II the court upholds Biddle, there
will be no certainty that he can be
deported until Australia agrees to
accept him.
Bridges Awaits Arrest
San Francisco, May 20. - CUP |
= Cup - Harry Bridges, vice-pres-
ident of the Congress of Industrial
Organizations and powerful union
leader Of west coast waterfront
workers awaited arrest for depor-
tation today but pledged his con-
tinued whole-he<sse0 UcppEe o. the
wns eSfNt.
As soon as he is arrested his at
torneys will apply in federal court
Tor writ of habeas corpus. This
viii permit his release on bond and |
regardless of the decision, there will
be appeals up to the supreme court.
This meant that If this last ave-
nue. Of escape Is eventually closed
10 him, Bridges can't be deported |
Tor at least a year.
Irwin Wixon, head Of the U. s.
immigration Service, understood
q deportation warrant was being
autographed from washington. When
Il arrives he will take Bridges into
custody.
Bridges telegraphed War Pro-
duction Director Donald Nelson that
he would oppose any demonstration
Of sympathy on the part OF his
followers or organized labor gener-
ally that might interfere with war
production.
Bridges Sends kilograms
His telegram read:
II wish to assure you that de-
spite outrageous decisions OF Attor-
rey General (Francis) Biddle and
the numerous protests already
pouring In from workers, / will do
I'll possible to offset any effect 1t