Investigation of Communist Activities in Seattle, Wash., Area, Hearings, Part 1 — John Shaqi
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
Mr. DENNETT. I mean that those members that were organized by
the Communist Party in the Trade Union Unity League, when they gave up
their identity as members of a Trade Union Unity League organization,
such as the national lumberworker’s union or the fishermen’s union or
the miner’s union or something of that kind, they had the opportunity
to become members of the appropriate union which was organizing in that
field. In the case of the Northwest it was at that time the woodworkers
federation, which was organized, in part, under the leadership of the
carpenters and joiners, but against the wishes of the top leadership of
the carpenters and joiners.
The top leadership, especially Mr. Hutcheson (William), was fearful
of these rebels from the Northwest. He was afraid that if they became
organized strong that they might cause him some trouble in his
organization. And he put in a great deal of effort to see to it that
they didn’t succeed in that.
Well, it is true that these rough-and-ready lumberworkers were willing
to take on all comers so far as opposition was concerned. And Mr.
Hutcheson seemed to be no bother to them, no more than anyone else
would be. They didn’t fear anyone. They just proceeded to organize as
best they could. But they were so thoroughly indoctrinated with the old
Wobbly notions, that is, the Industrial Workers of the World ideas,
they were very strong individualists, and they didn’t take kindly to
the kind of discipline which doesn’t explain why it gives an order,
and, consequently, the Communists in the woodworkers had a great deal
of trouble.
As a matter of fact, the organization of the woodworkers federation
was punctuated with stormy upheavals at every convention. The various
caucuses which were led by the Communists and led by some of the old
Industrial Workers of the World and led by some of those who wanted
their loyalty to the carpenters and joiners and some who wanted their
loyalty to the new organization of the CIO, these various groups
were unable to compose and resolve their differences. It was never
completely resolved. To this day it is not completely resolved.
The result of it today is that, well, of course, I realize there is a
new merger in prospect, but the lumber workers in the Northwest were
divided between the A. F. of L. and the CIO to such an extent that
they were unable to use their full strength to bring it to bear during
negotiations with their employers, and they have suffered very, very
much here in the Northwest.
Mr. VELDE. You are making a very fine story of the methods
used by the Communist Party in infiltrating labor unions.
I want to ask you this: from your experience as a member of the
Communist Party, which of the unions in this area were most
successfully infiltrated by the Communist Party?
Mr. MOULDER. May I ask during what period of time?
Mr. VELDE. During the whole period of time since the
Communists started infiltrating.
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