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. 1935. I continued at that work off and on
practically until the beginning of the Second World War, doing various
kinds of work, deckhand and freight handling, and some longshore work.
I also worked on some of the tugboats and some of the barges.
Mr. TAVENNER. You say that type of employment continued until
the war. Were you a member of our Armed Forces?
Mr. DENNETT. I was. There was an intervening period there,
however. I was screened off the waterfront in 1942. After being
screened off the waterfront in 1942 I was searching for work again, and
I saw a big advertisement in the paper that Bethlehem Steel Co. was
hiring everybody and anybody. So I went out there to work.
Mr. TAVENNER. Will you tell the committee what you mean by
screened off the waterfront? Briefly, not in detail.
Mr. DENNETT. There was an intelligence unit of the Army which
seemed to have information which convinced them that I was some sort
of a dangerous person, and they were convinced that I should not be
permitted to work on the waterfront. So my passes were lifted and I was
denied opportunity to do any further work longshoring or work anywhere
on the waterfront. By the way, according to my information, I am the
only one who never did get his pass back that was lifted at that time.
Mr. TAVENNER. Did the lifting of your pass have anything to do
with Communist Party activities on your part?
Mr. DENNETT. Well, I was asked to go down to the security
office at that time. It was in charge of a Mr. John J. Sullivan, I
believe. And he put it to me rather bluntly. He said, “We think that
you are still a Communist. And so we just don’t think we should have
Communists on the waterfront. That is why we are lifting your pass.”
Mr. TAVENNER. Will you continue with your narrative of
employment?
Mr. DENNETT. I went to work at Bethlehem Steel Co.
Mr. TAVENNER. What year was that?
Mr. DENNETT. In 1942, October 19.
And after being employed there for some little time I was classified
I-A in the draft. I didn’t know until after it was all over, but
the company evidently thought enough of my work to get at least two
deferments for me unbeknownst to myself. You remember there was
something of a manpower shortage at that time.
I was finally inducted into service on the 27th of August 1943, took my
3-week furlough which was permitted to married men at that time, and
reported to the service. I think it was the 17th of September of 1943,
reported for active duty.
I remained in the service until, I think it was about October 10 of
1945, at which time I received an honorable discharge. But I was in
somewhat broken health. So upon my return to Seattle I had to take
some little time to recuperate, and spent a little time at the naval
hospital which was conducted by the Navy at that time. It is now known
as Firlands.
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