The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1943-11-28
Under Cover
BY JOHN ROY CARLSON

~" W 1APPC0AS OuSFASAoS, OA
land Offers Smith Support in Cam
paign for Senate Seat; Farewell
to Detroit Scene
CHAPTER 10
Monday morning--15 minutes aft
er starting time - I received a
jolt when Roberts approached me
at my lathe. Up to this time I
mad been calling him Russ"
have never liked the stiffness OF
formality, even in my dealings
with fascists.
''None of this Russ stuffany'
more" Roberts began in hostile
voice. II don't want to be high
hat, but from now on you call me
Mr.. Roberts, I looked at him
silently and said: Eyes, Mr.. Ro'
berts.''
But my mind was feverish.
was trying to reason just what
had brought this complete about
face. 1t scared me. l knew that
Sage and Roberts had intended to
meet Sunday. Had Parker S a d
something derogatory, or had Rob
erts stumbled on to the truth? l
wondered if Roberts was giving
me hint that he would Gaal with
me more directly later. Or, I rea-
soned, was it possible that like so
many fanatics l had met in the
past few years he had the erratic
temperament which at one mo-
rlent might be friendly and the
rext violent ana cruel? At any
rate, I took comfort in the fact
that I already purchased a return
ticket which I carried on me, and
could leave instantly-in my work
clothes if necessary. I had moth
ing of value in my room.
However, I kept on at my lathe,
turning out ''pins" which were to
be used in the assembly of ma
chine guns. Just before closing
time I went over to Roberts, as
Garland had suggested.
''Mr. Roberts," I said, may I
use your typewriter to type an i'm
portant letter which Mr.. Alderman
wants me to do for him?"
''Can you use a typewriter" he
demanded gruffly
Yes, SIR" I said.
He looked at me sullenly and
cleared his desk.
I wanted to type the letter which
DOMAIN had suggested we write
Gerald H. K. Smith, Alderman had
dictated it during lunch hour and
I improved only the English. Gar
land stood over me as I typed
from the hand-written copy. Then
borrowing Roberts foundation pen,
he signed the letter.
In it Alderman asked for an ap-
pointment with the senatorial can
didate and recalled his connection
With the Pontiac chapter of the
America First Committee and the
NWL and said he h worked
closely with Robert Vertig. chair
man of the Detroit chapter of the
AF.C. He offered lists of names
Of people in Pontiac and vicinity
to help Smith in his campaign.
'I'll have to rush like hell to
get to Smiths office before five, :"
1 said.
Garland drove me to my room.
Or. the way over he asked to read
the letter again. I gave it to him
grudgingly, fearing he would
change his mind about sending it
to Smith.
Gee, that reads nice" he said,
BE careful with it, George"
"You bet I will,' I answered.
I rushed to Detroit, had two
photostatic negatives made of the
letter-as we'll as of the mailing
lists Garland had refused to give
the Dies Committee and sent
them home separately by regis
tered mail. By the time I fin
and I addressed Garland's letter
to Smiths post office box. With
the documentary evidence safely
on its way home, sigh of relief
swept through me and l treated
myself to hearty meal at one
Of Detroit's expensive restaurants.
That night I saw Parker Sage
again. He didn't know it was to
he our last encounter. I outlined
an elaborate plan of reorganiza-
ton of the League, which made
his dull and istless eyes shine
with anticipation. I outlined three
branches of the League in Detroit
each in a vital industrial sector
and told him I had induced Gar
land to start a chapter in Pontiac
q had done nothing of the kind.
That's swell, George. I've been
after Garland to do that for a
year!"
Sage was delighted with the turn
of events. I had made good
impression on Tony Bommarito,
and I had. so ne thought, finally
begun to work as organizer. He
would arrange a lot, of speaking
engagements for me from now on.
Tuesday, May II, Mr.. Roberts
was again in a surly mood. By
this time I was certain it was an
Indication of an innate cruelty in
the man. If he suspected me,
Parker would have reflected it last
night. But Parker h d seemed
completely cordial; I reasoned that
Roberts had not quite figured me
out, so he was set on showing me
that he was boss.
On Wednesday Roberts humili-
ated Garland shamefully, then