Evening star., 1948-06-04
.Dewey's investigator
.Snubbed by Three
0usted From Union
By fhe Aksoeiotsd Press

NEW YORK, June 4.-Three men
expelled from local union for al
legged anti Communist activities
within the union today refused to
discuss the case with a State in
vestigator.
Edward Coris, State Industrial
commissioner, began an investiga-
ton at the direction of Gov. Dewey
The three, accompanied by their
attorneys. spent 20 minutes in. Mr..
Corsi's office.
Their attitude" Mr.. Corsi said
after they left, was that they came
to see me out of respect and in
answer to my request, but they
would not talke about the dispute
because they said it was a union re-
sponsibility and matter they
could handle"
Mr.. Corsi said that in obtaining
facts for a recommendation to the
Governor "I may have to use the
labor law, which gives me a right
to investigate labor disputes and the
power Of subpoena"
NO fOHtlcak Purpose.
Mr.. Corsi said he had assured the
men that I'VE have no political pur-
pose except that an issue of great
public interest is involved. Although
only three men are involved now, it
may involve a great many other
people later"
Gov. Dewey said he had been ad-
vised the men had been ousted by
Local 3, Retail, Wholesale and De-
partment. Store Union, CIO, "as a
result of nti-Communist activities y
and would lose their jobs at Bloom
ingdale's department store under
union shop contract provisions.
He said the charge, if true, "is a
condition that cannot be tolerated
1t is unthinkable that any
man should suffer economic or other
loss because he is a good American. u
Three Still Employed.
The three expelled men still are
employed at the store as a result
OF Intervention by the international
union, which is under right wing
control.
Gov. Dewey's Intervention in the
dispute was also greeted without
enthusiasm by the local and parent
union.
Gustave A. Holstrom, chief spokes-
man for the three, said he saw no
need for the Governors action.
We feel this matter can be ham
died within the labor movement" !"
he said. I'VE have complete con-
f1dence in the fairness and sense
of justice of our international Exec
utiye Board, to which we have ap-
pealed against the unconstitutional
methods used by the local in ex-
pelling U.s."
Samuel Wolchok, international
president, said expulsion of the men
had been stayed pending an inter-
national Executive Board meeting
June 16.
Attorney Charges Politics.
"Our union has always stood for
the protection of the rights of the
individual and our constitution safe
guards these rights. We, therefore,
do not believe that such an investi-
CATION as proposed by the Governor
is necessary. Our organization will
deal fairly with the matter"
Samuel A. Neuberger, counsel for
the local, accused Gov. Dewey of
attempting to make political cap
ital of what he termed normal
procedure"
Mr.. Holmstrom, Anthony Bucceri
and Samuel Wolfson, leaders of an
insurgent faction in the local, were
accused Of attempting to divide the
local, Of having hamstrung its bar
gaining strategy and making false
statements about the local and its
leaders,"
The three men said the charges
were based on their objections to
support of Communist front" Or
ganizations, their insistence that
the local officers sign non-Com-
munist affidavits and their demand
that the local follow the national
CIO line in opposing Henry Wal
1acp