Evening star., 1954-05-05
Witnesses Refuse
In Advance 10 Aid
House Red Probers
BY the Assoei0ted Press

DETROIT, May s. House
Un-American Activities irvesti-
gators braced for another ex-
plosive session today, calling on
more witnesses who pledged in
advance they'd refuse to CO.
operate.
Mixing up friendly and un-
friendly witnesses, a congress
sional subcommittee sought par
ticularly to learn more about the
Labor Youth League and similar
organizations.
The first witness to be called
was Bolza Baxter, the leagues
executive secretary. Mr.. Bax-
ter's testimony originally was
scheduled for Mondays first
session. but an exchange be-
tween his attorney, Milton r.
Henry. and Representative
Clardy. Republican, of Michigan
and subcommittee chairman,
delayed it.
Mr.. Henry was forcibly elected
from the courtroom and Mr..
Baxter was ordered to get a
different lawyer.
Testimony was given by one
OF yesterdays witnesses that Mr..
Baxter was a Communist and
the league "a training ground
for communism"
Gives Advance Statement.
Mr.. Baxter, in a statement in
advance of his appearance, said
the House group was designed
to perpetuate un-American ac-
tlv1t1es." He said he would "aS-
sert my constitutional privileges
to block this committees un-
democratic detectives"
The subcommittee is investi-
eating Communist infiltration
into education, labor and other
fields.
The Identification of Mr.. Bax-
ter as a Communist came from
Harold M. MikkelSen, a tool and
die worker who was active in
Communist Party affairs for five
years before he unmaSked him.
self as a Federal Bureau of In
vestigation undercover agent.
Mr.. Mikkelsen reeled off the
names of Mr.. Baxter and about
$50 others whom he said he met
at party functions.
Another of these, he said, was
Edward H. Shaffer, a University
Of Michigan graduate student
whom a former Michigan coed
admitted spying on for the FBI.
Mr.. Shaffer has been subpoenaed
to testify when the subcommit-
tee moves on to Lansing next
week.
Tells How Reds Worked.
Mr.. Mikkelsen told how the
Communists bored into nation
atty groups and steel and auto
plants in an effort to win mem
bers and broaden their influence.
He also said they set up front"
organizations and used" nom
Communists to help win elec-
tionS in Detroit suburbs.
Mr.. Mikkelsen, who said he
was picked as a security man"
for the party because he was
husky" won his way into the
inner party circles.
He was named to organize a
"Steel Club" for the party at
the big Great Lakes Steel Corp.
plant in suburban Ecorse, he
said. only two weeks before he
was exposed as an FBI under
cover agent and read out of the
party. That disclosure came at
the recent Smith Act trial of
six top Michigan Communists,
when he was a surprise witness
Mr.. Mikkelsen, on the stand
more than four hours, was the
only cooperative witness of the
four called during the day.
Most Explosive Witness.
The most explosive one was
Ben F. Kocel, 38, former Naval
Reserve officer now on the staff
of the Detroit Polish language
newspaper. Clos Ludowy Peo-
Piles Voice.
Mr.. Kocel shouted, "Slur," and
shook his finger IN anger when
Representative Scherer. Republi-
can, of Ohio asked him If he
lever engaged in espionage
against the United States" But
when pressed for an answer he
cited the Fifth Constitutional
Amendment and refused a reply
Mr.. Kocel refused to answer