Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-05-17
Plot to Grab
U. S. Shipping
Reported
Red Union Seeks to Gain
Merchant Control
BY WESTBROOK PEGLER


BY WESTBROOK PEGLER
WITHIN the next few weeks
W i shall develop details OF
conspiracy of the Communist
fifth column 10 take over the
American merchant marine and
the Atlantic and gulf ports of
the United States in addition:
ports which already have been
conquered by Harry Bridges, the
Australian Communist. This Is
just an outline.
The National Maritime Union
is trying TO get custody Of the
guns on the merchant vessels
and the training of merchant
sailors The union also is try
ing TO chase the longShoremenS
union of the American Fedora
ton of Labor off the East Coast
and the gulf and move Bridges
IN with his CommuniSt-front
West Coast organization.
The AFL union IS very bad
il charges outrageous, fees and
dues and has otherwise lost the
confidence Of the men. That il
can reform now Is doubtful for
there are many ignorant, brutal
crooks tn certain important
locals who regard unionISm only
as a racket
T THE same time ConmU-
"A MIST groups are trying TO
plant their own 'lntcllcCtualS'
IN Offices of various government
agencies IN Washington and
New York having TO do with the
merchant marine
Some feilOw-trayclorS already
have been Glycn Jobs and pa
Gently an Official Of the union
was gwen q post IN tho depart
ment OF labor.
strong propaganda campaign on
government officials and con-
gresSmen 10 diNSHadc the gov
eminent from training sailors
Tor Jobs on the merchant ships.
II fears that a lot Of genuine
American Youngsters would re-
fuse 10 accept Communist lead
erShip and doctrine and would
dilute the unions power on
board the boats which Is now 50
great that ship captains are CON
Stantlv hccklod by Communists
and delegates - sea and IN port
II IS also trying to Seducc tho
navy sailors Of the gun crews,
whose pay Is very small by COM
pdrISOn with the tremendous
wages bonuses and allowances
paid 10 merchant sailors with
civilian status whose risks, how
ever, are no greater.
I'VE union program is 70 give
Il the enlisted navy sailors food
vlte them 10 use the crews IL
h.ary or Communist literature.
and 10 take up collections among
the crews when they are paid
OF and hand the money 10 the
enlisted sailors as charity so as
10 make them dissatisfied with
the navy pay Sullen against
their government and grateful
10 the union.
T. also pT0pOSr1 maj NE
naNyamen be invited 10 Commu-
INST union meetings on board The
ships which. OF course, would ~
a grave violation OF navy regu-
latiOnS and customs.
The Communists have been
working on the enlisted gunnerS
ever since they were put aboard
the ships. and the young com
mlSSioncd officers. most of them
reserves with little SeagoIng cx-
perlencc, have been having a
trying time They have no au-
thorlty over the civilian Com
munlStS and are subject ~
glanclng insults from them for
which they have no redress.
II IS useless for a young on
en- or lieutenant 10 complain
10 the civilian captain OF
merchant vessel that a sailor or
steward had made Sneering re-
marks about his uniform. be-
cause the captain would have a
committee down on HIM by the
next watch If he tried 10 do any
thing.
THE Communist quality Of this
L union is unmlStakable. Up 10
June %. 1871, when Hitler al
tackled Russia, il was one Of tho
most violent opponents Of every
effort Of the United States 10
arm for defense.
II fought CONSUMPTION: II
fought the governments pro-
gram 10 train new merchant
sailors; it fought lend-lease; II
called all advocates of rearma-
ment, including President RooSe-
welt. warmongers and FasclstS.
and II organized gangs composed
mainly Of foreign born New
l.