The Wilmington morning star., 1947-07-25
RED HEARING
IS CONTINUED
Union Officials Testify To
Communist Activitie.
In Locals

WASHINGTON, July "a - ~
Two union officials testified today
that international headquarters OF
the CIO-United Electrical Workers
tried to smash one Of the unions
locals because communists were
purged from the locals roster.
The testimony came from Mi
chael Berescik, president, and
Joseph Julianelle, business agent,
Of CIO-UEW local 203 at Bridge
port, Conn. They related these
events:
Communists had obtained con-
siderable influence in the local
Berescik said they controlled it
flock, stock and barrel"
He and Julianelle organized an
anti-C Communist faction and won an
election. Communism was the is
sue. In line with campaign pledges
and on orders of the locals mem
bership. 26 Communists were ex-
PEELED last January.
The parent International union
pron,1tly tried to take away the
locals charter. 1t still is trying to
Smash the local, Berescik de-
clared.
Albert ]. Fitzgerald, president
of the International, interpreted
the committee hearings as an at
tack on the union. He said in a
news release the union will re-
double efforts to have committee
members "repudiated by the
voters"
He singled out by name Chair
man ]. Parnell. Thomas GRIND
and Reps. Mcdowell (R-PA, Vail
(R-Ill.) and Nixon (R-CaliD.
The JEW and CLIO are working
for their defeat in 1948, Fitzgerald
said, and it is obvious they "are
seeking to weaken our union so
that it may be less effective in its
opposition to them at the polls
next election day."
Berescik testified he thinks COM
munists are getting into the labor
movement primarily to build a
powerful political force, sway the
people in elections, put the prop
err people in power and have a
new jumping off place."
Julianelle said he has no proof
but regards Julius Emspak, treas
urer, and James Matles, organi-
zing director of the CIO-UEW,
as Communists. Berescik was less
definite on that. But he said Fitz-
gerald is not a Red
The two witnesses agreed that
Communists are a menace to the
labor movement and that their
international is trying to wipe
out their local because Of the
January Red purge.
With some of the International
officials Of the union in the rear
OF the committee room, J%ulianelle
repeatedly promised war on Com
munism and said he hoped they
take in what l say"
Berescik was inclined to regard
the whole thing as a family
squabble." The testimony of him
self and Julianelle, he said, should
not be used to cast aspersions on
the labor movement as a whole,
nor to" "castigate and villify'' the
JEW.
The Communists, he said, are a
small minority.
He agreed with J%ulianelle that
around so or 60 of the 5000 mem
bers Of their local may be regard
as Communists. Yet he said this
one percent was able to get con-
troll for a time because other mem
bers would not turn out for meet
ings.
If officials Of the International
were elected by referendum OF
union members instead Of at con-
ventions, Berescik predicted, and
unions followed the same pattern,
wed dissipate the entire COM
munist influence in the American
labor movement"
Committee members cheered the
fight local 203 is making.
Thomas said that il all other
local unions with Communist blocs
would act against them as 203
had done, I'VE wouldn't have to
pass some of the labor laws we
are passing today"
you fellows did a good job"
Thomas added. THE heats been
put on you and the heat will con-
tir,,e to be put on you. Keep your
chm up"