Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-04-15
FAIR
ENOUGH
BY Westbrook
eeIer
PeoIer

STHCTLf as a matter OF edu-
~ cation in the Communist
pressure on our American gov
eminent. i should like TO cite
today some further information
from the minutes of meetings OF
the National Maritime Union.
i mean To prove that foreign
ers who cannot read. write or
speak the language of this coun-
try and cannot he citizens. vote
on resolutions to the govern
ment, send political kilograms
in great numbers and are active
in the fOIrthterm campaign.
The National Maritime
Union, some of whose officials
use false names, is holding 4
membership meeting in New
York and is discussing Stacker
ism by members who tarry over
long ashore between voyages.
Brother Robinson OF the trial
committee is explaining why the
union was unable 10 fill crews
for outbound ships from its own
roster out Of its own hiring hall.
II had been necessary TO ship.
many nonunion members and, 10
the union officers, who never 20
10 sea. this was serious en-
barassmcnt a. it showed they
did not speak for all the actual,
SeagOing merchant sailors.
Sc MOTHER thing that we
had little trouble with"
Brother Robinson said. "wss
the fact that many members
did not have the Information
regarding shipping rules for
the reason that they had dim
Guilty with the language and
couldn't fnd any one speaking
their language To explain II to
them These rules, which have
been mimeographed for English
speaking members should he
Autographed In certain other
languages.
The same NEE ne then
adopted resolution calling on
President Roosevelt 10 override
the American courts, the evil
dencc and the ruling of the al.
torney general, and cancel the
order Of deportation against
Harry Bridges. Communist
enemy OF the American Govern
ment, and permit him 10 be-
come citizen.
The motion was carried by a
vote m which no provision was
made 10 exclude those aliens
who can neither read nor un-
derstand the language Of the
United States.
NEXT came communication
instructlnG. the members.
not excluding the aliens, 20
write 10 the senator's demand
ing action and roll call on tho
Communist resolution 10 repeal
the poll tax
The union itself employs
poll tax, enforcing II rigidly in
All its own affairs. but has been
campaigning against much
mllder usage OF the same tax
IN the public elections in eight
southern states.
The proposition Threatening
The senator's was adopted. ON
another occasion, all members
present including the aliens.
were ordered 10 send kilograms
10 the War Labor Board. sup
porting our case"
This Is chance to get our
beefs Strengthened out" said
brother Stack, one of the ruling
group. after the meeting there
viii he a girl at the desk to
take the wires. So, II YOU
haven't already done 50 you
can send II out then"
THUS ths War Labor Board
may know. u IL doesn't
know already. that such wires
are not spontaneous express
sions but compulsory parroting
OF the political program Of a
Communist group, nor neces-
sarily even communica tions from
Americans.
In this cannee ton have g.
letter from an American who
was not allowed 10 send con-
gratuiations 10 a relative who
was being married and SIX
other complaints from Ameri-