The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1949-05-26
ACTION TAKEN
AGAINST TWO
OTHER AIDES

SAN FRANCISCO, May 26.-tR--
Harry Bridges. leftwing West Coast
labor leader, and two of his top
aides were indicted by Federal
grand jury yesterday on perjury and
conspiracy charges stemming from
Bridges citizenship hearing in 1945
The Immigration Service immed-
lately filed civil complaint seeking
to revoke Bridges citizenship. This
action declared Bridges was net
only Communist at the time 20
became citizen, but still is.
Many West Coast observers inter-
preted the double barrelled action
signalling the start of third gov
eminent attempt in 10 years to de-
! port the 47-year-old, Australian
born Bridges. He is president Of
the CLIO International Longshore-
mems and Warehousemen's Union.
Indicted with him were j. r. Rob-
ertson, first vice president Of the
ILWU, and Henry Schmidt, member
of the Longshore Coast Labor Rela-
tions committee and former presi-
dent of Bridges local here Bail for
each was set at $1,000.
The union promptly assailed the
indictments as "a political Frame
up" by the Truman administration
and an attempt to put the union
out business.
Charges Made
One count charged the three men
conspired against the immigration
laws by fraudulently obtaining nat
uralization for Bridges Sept. Z,
l945. Another count charged Bridges
with perjury In denying that he was
then. or ever had been, member
4 of the Communist party. The third
count charged Schmidt and Rob-
ertson with perjury. 1t accused
them Of testifying falsely that
Bridges had not been a member OF
the Communist party.
Bridges was in New York. He
went there after a recent stormy
session Of the CLIO Executive Coun-
| Gil in Washington, at which he
and other lett wing leaders were
told to get in line with CIO pei
icies or get out. The union said he
would leave New York today for
| San Francisco.
Surrenders
Robertson was reported In San
Francisco and union attorney said
he would surrender today. Schmidt,
who has been directing the Hawaii
an waterfront strike, surrendered to
the u S. Marshal at Honolulu. He
was accompanied by six beefy
stevedores who shielded him from
newscameramen. He called the In
dictments lust another attempt by
the employers to wreck the ILWU."
What Conviction Means
Conviction on the charges car
ries possible maximum penalty
OF seven years in prison and $4,000
fine.
Government men taking part in
the grand jury presentation includ-
ed F. Joseph Donohue. special as
sistant Attorney General from
Washington, and John p. Boyd.
deputy commissioner of Immigra-
ton and Naturalization Service.
Boyd helped prepare the first de-
portation case against Bridges in
1899.
Long Investigation
Boyd said the move to revoke
Bridges citizenship eliminated a
long investigation. I'VE have new
evidence which has never been pre-
sented before" he said. I'VE feel
reasonably certain OF our CASE He
added that some prominent labor
leaders had been helpful in develop
ing the case.
/ After Bridges first deportation
hearing in 1899, James M. Lands,
then dean OF the Harvard Law
School, ruled the evidence failed to
establish that Bridges was at that
time, member OF. or affiliated
with. the Communist party.
i Deportation Ordered
I A second hearing was held in
l94l. Judge Charles B. Sears OF
New York recommended Bridges
deportation on the ground he has
been affiliated" with the Commun-
lists. But the United States SUI
preme Court held there was no
evidence to support the finding and
reversed Sears.
Slim, tough-talking Bridges be-
came president Of the Longshore-
men in 1884. year Of bloody, o.
day waterfront strike He has been
the driving force in the longshore-
mems long series Of strikes since,
and only this week was returned
} to office.
:. Several Of the Bridges-led strikes
! have tied up Pacific Coast and
Alaska shipping.