Evening star., 1944-10-02
knowledge Of Fight
After Union Banquet
Is Denied by Tobin
EorIy Also Declares
He Knows Nothing Of
ScuffIe at Hotel

Daniel j. Tobin. president of the
TeamsterS Union, said in New York
today he knew nothing about any
SCuff1e at the Hotel Statler involv-
ing two naval officers on the night
OF September % when President
Roosevelt addressed the union, the
Associated Press reported.
His statement followed rumors
that MI. Tobin. who was toastmas-
tel at the September % banquet.
was involved in the fracas which
drew shore patrolmen to the Statler.
Il wasn't involved and I know
nothing about any brawl,' the As
SoCiated Press quoted Mr. Tobin as
saying. Immediately after the din
ner, l went to my room with Mr..
Green William Green, AF'L presi-
dent, Joseph Padway ,union coun-
seD and William Birthright, a vice
president of the AFL. l wasn't
downstairs at all and I never heard
Of any fracas."
Officer Talks at Hospital.
Meanwhile. at the Naval Medica!
Center, 1t. Randolph Dickins, jr..
tacltly admitting he was one of
the naval officers involved in the
fracaS told repOlte that I'd like
to say first that the Navy has not
told me not to say anything This
is entirely my prerogative"
He charged that he was beng
made a political football in this "
and added that Il don't want to
talk, I just want to let it dle. =
He denied knowing who the civilian
participants in the fracas were.
After a conversation between Ii.
Dickins and Navy officials. press
conference later was arranged for
130 pm. to give the naval officer
chance to tell his story. 1t.
Dickins said he had been told by
Rear Admiral William Chambers.
conmandant of the Naval Medical
Center, that no disciplinary action
was contemplated against him.
At news conference today, White
House Secretary Stephen T. Early
also denied knowledge of the Incl
dent. He said a reporter called him
yesterday and told him that he knew
Nh. Tobin had asked Mr Early to
call the shore patrol and to urge
suppression of informa ton.
Il give you my word l know moth
ing about it" Mr.. Early told his news
conference. YESTERDAY was the first
1,o
cident took place, ! would know of
it. Particularly if Tobin had called
me. And he did net"
Fred Tobin's Statement.
Earlier, Fred Tobin, WASHINGTON
legislative representative for the
teanlsters, said he could positively
say" his father was not involved.
The younger Tobln said his father
had left the banquet with Henry j.
Keiser, the West Coast shipbuilder.
and other guests and had gone to
his room, where he was Joined by
Mr. Green and Mr. PadWay.
From various sources, it appeared
likely that the locale of the incident
was outside the banquet room and
that some guests at the banquet
were involved
After week of conflicting rumors.
the Navy Department last night
confirmed the report that members
OF the shore patrol were called to
the Statler to break up a fight be-
tween two naval officers and some
civilians.
No One Detained.
This appears to be a personal
matter involving the officers con-
cerned," Navy spokesman said.
ANY statement will have to come
from them
Asked if shore patrolmen had
been called to the Statler because
of fight involving naval officers,
the Navy spokesman said:
Shore patrolmen were called to
the Statler and broke it Ohe fightD
up as routine disturbance, The
shore. patrolmen took report and
forwarded it to the commanding
officers concerned, No one was de.