Evening star., 1949-07-22
Coal Miner Cut Shori
Just Like Professor
By Red Trial Judge
BY the Assoeiofed Press


NEW YORK, July 22.-An ex-
coal miner followed a professor of
philosophy to the witness stand
today in the Communist con-
spiracy trial.
Anthony Krchmarek of Cleve-
land. who said he started work in
Eastern Ohio coal fields at the age
of IA, was the ninth witness called
by the defense.
Like the Phi. D. who preceded
him. Krchmarek didn't get to say
all he wanted to say.
After telling the court he had
run for the Cleveland Board OF
Education in 1947 with open Com
munist support, Krchmarek was
prevented by Federal Judge Har-
old r. Medina from saying how
many votes were cast for him.
Issue Never Developed,
May I bring out how close he
came to being elected?" asked De-
fense Attorney Richard F.. Glad
stein.
Judge Medina said no. The is
sue was not developed further.
Krchmarek, chairman of the
Cuyahoga County (Ohio) section
of the Communist Party, said he
also wa sa candidate for city
councilman in Cleveland's ward 80
in 1888 and in 1899.
His predecessor on the stand did
get in some testimony, mostly in
words that baf1led the court.
The witness was DR.. Herbert j.
Phillips of Seattle. who was fired
last January from the University
of Washington where he had
taught philosophy for 26 years be-
cause of his Communist connec-
tions.
He testified he had been a
party member for l3 years. DR..
Phillips, reeled off a stream of
heavy phraseology that taxed the
vocabularies of lawyers and the
judge alike.
His testimony was cut short on
ruling by Judge Medina, but not
until the problem in polysyllables
arose as he was telling of a class
in Marxism-Leninism that he
taught.
He said he gave ts.e class "a
presentation of my understanding
of Marxism-Leninism in the form
of a scientific hypotheses to ex-
plain the various manifestations
of modern history. TIL, course was
divided into three parts. One dealt
with the major concepts of his
toricity-"
Has Judge Scratching Head.
whats that?" Judge Medina
interrupted, scratching his head.
"Historicity. sucn concepts as
change, time. race, nation and
state" said DR.. Phillips. The Sec
ond part was concerned with the
possibility of a science of history
in which I attempt q refutation
of historical skepticism--"
This time. Attorney Gladstein
cut in with whats meant by
that?" .--~
Judge Medina observed: THAT
may take some time to explain"
1T is" said DR.. Phillips, "a view
or attitude that historical phenom-
ena are not susceptible to scientific
treatment. I tried to refute this.
The third was review Of the two
basic PHILOSOPHERS of historical
phenomena-a materlalistic ap-
proach and an idealistic ap-
proach."
Judge Medina again interviewed
after the prosecution objected to
the testimony. The judge said:
eff this witness taught this
course in some way under the
direction of the defendants. then
l will allow it. But if it was
wholly disconnected with the de-
PENDANTS. it is not going to be
allowed
DR.. Phillips said he taught the
course in Seattle in 1916 at the
homes of various Communist Party
members. He said the course had
been approved by the party's or
ganizational secretary in WASH
ington State whom he identified as
Van Lydagraff."
Eugene Dennis. one of the II
Communist Party leaders on trial
on charges of conspiring to advo-
cate forcible overthrow of the
Government, protested the judges
ruling.
Dennis. who is acting as his
own attorney, said the course
taught by DR.. Phillips was ap-
proved by the party's leadership.
Therefore, he said. the witness
should be allowed to tell what he
taught and advocated on behalf
of the Communist Party"
But Judge Medina replied, Il
hold that the proper foundation
has not been laid for that testi-
mony."
The State of Mexico has started
work on complete revision of its
constitution,