, 1952-03-01


NAVY war veteran was threatened with lynching by Khan
elements today, after challenging Chairman Wood to in
vestigate the xxx in Georgia, at a hearing OF the Huse
Unamerican activities committee yesterday.
Cherveny, am member of local TIA, UAW-ClO-De-
troit, active in the fight for FEPC, jobs and peace and 9TH
err civil rights fights was an "unfriendly witness SUBJ
poenaed before the committee, holding hearings into al
legged Communist activities in Michigan. Cherveny ap-
pearing Tuesday, February 26, had exercised his consttu-
tional right to refuse to answer questions concerning his
activities when Wood CD Georgia, asked if he was afraid
to talk before the committee. Cerveny shot back, I'm not
afraid to debate YOU or any of the members of this COM
mittee on any subject in public. debate outside OF these
hearings. But this is a %witchhunt. | am afraid for my job
and how | am going to support my wife and infant
daughter"
Wood answered, eve will protect you, you have moth
ing to be afraid Of"
The following morning Cherveny reported to work at
American Metal Products Co., to find that his department
was emptied of the usual five workers. A half hour after
work started a group of II men and one woman appeared.
The lead man carried a rope. He came up to Cherveny with
this comment: "Im from Woods home town. We are go
ing to take of you like we take care of guys down In Geor-
gia." When one of the men puthishands on Cherveny, he
warned him away and went to the plant management that
the company protect his job and call police to take care
of the would-be lynchers. The company refused.
Young Cherveny returned to the hearings at the fed
eral building to see Wood. He cornered Wood during a
recess where he demanded that the committee provide the
protection they had promised" Wood, very much on the
defensive said, "He was sure that the Detroit authorities
would take care of that"
Cherveny accused Wood of inspiring Khan activities
in Michigan, and told Wood that he was trying to force
everyone to knuckle under to his concept of Americanism
or face Klan-like violence.
In a statement issued Immediately after the incident,
Harry Southwell, president of local 174, AW-CIO said,
"Cherveny has the right under the JAW and United
Ctates Constitution to work and the Union will defend
that right"
Arthur McPhaul, executive of the Civil Rights con-
gress Of Michigan, who is a Negro was also subpoenaed by
the committee. He stated:
"The real purpose of the committees alleged investi
cation into Communist" activities is revealed by what hap
pened to Cherveny. This committee is out to whip up fas
cist terror and acts in Michigan, to destroy the Negro PEG.
pies fight for complete equality and to destroy the trade
unions. This committee, made up of Southern poll takers
and reactionaries is doing untold disservice to the people
ofthis country.
"It is the indispensable duty of ever patriotic Ameri
can citizen to refuse to cooperate with this witchhunt out
fit. 1t is clear that to cooperate with a committee of this
kind, even though it is clothed in Congressional immunity
is to perpetuate in America the things that every decen1
and democratic person in America d~espises."
The committee for the first time in history, has sub
poenaed the leading progressive Negro and trade unio1
leaders of this city. Among them are the Rev. Charles A
Hill, Attorney C.. LeBron Simmons. Coleman Yonno anf