Evening star., 1947-04-28
Harris
CONTINUED From First Page.)


ard A. Bancroft, president Of Local
All, were named in suit filed by
ODonnell's Sea Grill, Inc, which
has two restaurants in the 1900 block
of e street NV, asking that the
union pickets be restrained from
other than peaceful" picketing in
front of the restaurants.
The company complaint declared
the picket lines were being main
tanned so closely together that pick
cts Intentionally or otherwise
brushed against customers.
Later. a nonstriking employe was
arrested by police after allegedly
threatening picket with hunting
knife. The worker, listed by police
as Alton Leggons, %, colored, of the
400 block of L street NV, was
cleared OF carrying deadly weapon
when testimony in Municipal Court
revealed the man was not in pos
session of knife when arrested.
8 Sentenced in Violence.
Police said Leggons had only
scabbard when he was caught.
Saturday, Municipal Court Judge
John P. Mcmahon imposed jail
sentences and fines on three pickets
convicted on assault charges
brought by two other non-striking
employees. One of the pickets, John
H. Mcintyre, Is, of the 500 block of
Florida avenue NV, was charged
with leaving the picket line to knock
down nonstriker who attempted
to enter the restaurant March II.
Two women pickets were charged
with slapping a striking
waitress 10 days earlier.
Represented 5000 Workers
Mr.. Harris represented 5000 res
taurant and cafeteria workers, en-
ployed mostly in Government cafe
terias in Washington and nearby
areas.
A native Of North Carolina. he
held a bachelor of science degree
from the North Carolina Agricul-
tural and Technical College at
Greensboro, N. c. He came to the
District In 1888, and attended
Howard University Law School for
two years.
He was busboy at the cafeteria
in the Treasury Department Pro-
curement Division, Seventh and D
streets S.W.. before being named to
the union post. The Harrises have
two daughters, Mrs. Arthur Gathis,
10, and Marie Harris, 8.
No knowledge Of Personal Threats.
Belford Lawson, jr., lawyer for the
union, said today general threats
had been exchanged between work.
ing employees and those on strike,
but he had never known of any per-
sonal threats made against Mr.
Harris. >f'n.HE ."lS'
Mr.. Harris was in charge Of the
picket line before O'Donneils and
pieketed in person tntermittently.
Mr.. Lawson said he was a witness
in one or two pending cases involv-
ing threats and assault at the res
taurant. The lawyer, however, de-
scribed the cases as minor.
Union President Richard A. Ban
croft said the killing Of Mr.. Harris
was a terrible blow-a shock to all
of us He said Mr.. Harris had been
a leader Of the union since its be-
ginning In 1887. starting as an or
ganizer and later becoming business
agent.
Connolly Praises Harris.
Neither Mr.. Bancroft nor Mr..
Lawson could give any clue to the
killing and said they know Of no
personal enemies. ...
Ernest v. Connolly. assistant
United States Employment Service
director for the District, said Mr..
Harris. representing the Washing
ton Industrial Union Council. CIO.
contributed substantially to the
success of the manpower control
program during the war;" as men,
Der of the labor management COM
mittee.
Mr.. Harris was very active In
Washington civic affairs. He served
on the executive boards OF the
Urban League and the
National Association for the Ad-
of Colored People.