Investigation of Communist Activities in Seattle, Wash., Area, Hearings, Part 1United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
History
Investigation of Communist Activities in Seattle, Wash., Area, Hearings, Part 1
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
Communism -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
These fellows were very adaptable. They were very skillful at
traveling under adverse conditions, overcoming all kinds of physical
difficulties. The stories of Paul Bunyon are not something out of the
figment of the imagination entirely; they grew out of the huge efforts
that the Northwest lumberworkers had to make in order to live.
So Murphy was a very successful organizer. He organized a very large
number of people in the National Lumberworkers Union. He had an
assistant by the name of Roy Brown who was almost equally successful.
I do not recall the names of the others who were active in that
organization, but I do know that they met with great success organizing
miners here in the Northwest. They organized fishermen.
Mr. TAVENNER. What connection did those organizations have
with the Trade Union Unity League?
Mr. DENNETT. They were all national unions in the Trade Union
Unity League. And one of the greatest successful organizing drives was
conducted among fishermen here in the Northwest.
A person who is now deceased, by the name of Emil Linden, was
profoundly successful in organizing fishermen on the Columbia River and
here in Puget Sound.
Mr. TAVENNER. Was he successful in the organization of groups
affiliated with the Trade Union Unity League?
Mr. DENNETT. That is right.
The fishermen’s unions, as a matter of fact, had the distinction
of having been organized and affiliated directly with the Red
International of Labor Unions, which had a headquarters in Prague at
that time.
Mr. TAVENNER. What do you mean by saying that the Trade Union
Unity League was affiliated with or a part of the Red International of
Labor Unions?
Mr. DENNETT. Well, they paid dues to an international
organization, and this particular fishermen’s group which originated
here were affiliated directly with the Red International of Labor
Unions, and they paid dues directly to the headquarters in Prague.
Mr. TAVENNER. Did that make them virtually a part of the Red
International of Labor Unions?
Mr. DENNETT. They were.
Mr. MOULDER. What period of time was that?
Mr. DENNETT. That was way back in about 1931 or 1932, or 1932
or 1933.
Mr. TAVENNER. Where was the seat of the headquarters of the
Red International of Labor Unions?
Mr. DENNETT. At that time it was in Prague.
Mr. TAVENNER. Among the documents which you have turned
over to the staff of the committee and which we have examined is
one entitled “The Trade Union Unity League, Affiliated to the Red
International of Labor Unions.”
Will you examine it and state whether or not you can identify it as one
of the documents which you turned over to us?
(Document handed to the witness.)
Mr. DENNETT. If it has got my initials on it is mine; and it
has.
Mr. TAVENNER. Will you return it, please?
Mr. Chairman, I think I should read into the record at this point
several paragraphs which I see in this document.
Mr. MOULDER. Very well.
Mr. TAVENNER (reading):
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