Evening star., 1946-09-15
|5Leading Reds Held
As Inciters Of British
Luxury 5quatters'
BY the Assseiotsd Press

By the Assseioisd Pres.
LONDON. Sept. 14.-Five promi-
nent members of the Communist
party were arrested tonight in a
breakdown on luxury squatters' as
the government acted to halt the
spreading Communist directed cam
paign.
The arrests quickly followed a
government statement deploring
violence and lawlessness" and in
structing municipal officials in Eng
land and Wales to guard against
further seizures of apartments and
other properties by homeless fami-
lies. Police patrols were reinforced
and alerted.
All five Communist leaders were
charged with "conspiring together
with other persons to incite persons
to trespass on property, and aid and
abet and direct such trespass
against the peace" All were granted
bail and released for hearing in
magistrates court Monday.
Leaders Are Identified.
Those arrested were:
Edward r. Bramley, secretary OF
the London District Communist
party; Gabriel Carritt, son of an
Oxford University philosopher and
Communist member of the West
minister City Committee; Morris
Israel Rosen, member of the Step
ney Borough Council; Mrs. Joyce
Allergant, a Communist leader
Ernest Stanley Henderson, secre-
tary of the committee acting fol-
squatterS in the SWank Duchess OF
Bedford House. occupied last Sun
day in the opening swoop on a num-
Der of apartments in the fashion,
able West London residential dis
trict.
One squatter also was arrested at
Fountain Court, one of the invaded
apartments, and was charged with
obstructing police.
The buildings invaded for the
most part were vacant and in pro-
cess OF redecoration after their
wartime use by the Government.
Health Minister Urges Action.
Calling for action against squat
ters," Minister of Health Aneurin
Bevan in a letter to local authori-
ties ordered them to keep all prem
, iSes locked.
The Government are confident"
Mr.. Bevan said, that local authori-
ties will take firm and prompt ac-
ton on these lines in defense of
ordered Government and the prin-
ciples OF social justice on which
the system OF ALLEGATION of avail
able housing accommodation is
based"
Mr.. Bevan declared the allot-
ment of housing cannot be usurped
by individuals: nor can public au-
thority permit the claims of the
most needy, who have been waiting
for long time for homes, to be
over-ridden by violence and law
lessness"
Police Patrols Strengthened.
In London, police patrols were
strengthened to prevent further in
vasionS Of vacant buildings. Officials
in the London suburb of Wands-
worth moved $50 families who were
on the waiting list into buildings
not yet ready for occupancy in
order to prevent their seizure by
squatters.
Communist leaders Of the SQUAT
ter campaign planned a mass meet
ing in Hyde Park tomorrow. and
said they would send a deputation
to call on Prime Minister Attlee
Monday.
More than 1,5O0 men, women and
children have moved into comman-
deered luxury apartment buildings
In London during the last week in
an organized campaign Before that
several thousand squatters had
moved into vacant military or work
camps and other buildings in Britain
and Scotland in an unorganized
movement.
Squatters Prepare Sunday Meals.
In their commandeered quarters
here, squatters living behind barred
doors planned Sunday meals, or
ganized entertainments and pre-
pared to sit 1t out
Meanwhile, Britons and foreign
observers wondered what effect the
housing revolt would have on Brit
aims middle course" political path.
Some thought the squatter rebel
lion would bring discredit upon the
Labor government. Others believed
the governments firm but cautious
policy toward the squatters would
bring it fresh support. Temporarily
at least, Labor ministers had un-
reserved backing of Conservatives in
their efforts to restore law and or
der, protect private property and end
acts which the government said
might lead to anarchy.