Were you given a written notice of expulsion by the Communist Party?
Mr. Dennett. Yes, we were.
Mr. Tavenner. Can you identify language in that expulsion notice as being virtually the same language as in the notice of charges given by the union to your wife?
Mr. Dennett. It certainly is. In both instances they accuse her of the crime of being an informer for the FBI.
Mr. Tavenner. We will not take time now to analyze those documents, but I would like for them to be in evidence, and, in light of the fact that the names signed have not been shown by evidence to be members of the Communist Party, I ask that that part of the document be deleted until investigation has established whether or not they are members of the party.
Mr. Moulder. As requested by counsel, without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. Tavenner. I would like for the document to be marked “Dennett Exhibit No. 10.”
(The document above referred to, marked “Dennett Exhibit No. 10,” is filed herewith.)
Dennett Exhibit No. 10
We, the undersigned, prefer charges against Harriette Dennett, President, United Office and Professional Workers of America, Local 35, for violation of the Constitution of the National Union under the following Articles:
Article II, Section 3. “No person whose interests are deemed to lie with the employer as against the employees shall be eligible for membership.”
Article II, Section 5, Obligations of Members. “... to bear true allegiance to, and keep inviolate the principles of the union; ... and to promote the interests of our members in harmony with the best interests of our country.”
Article VI, Section 9, Obligations of Local Union Officers. “... to perform all your duties as required by the laws of the Union and the instruction of the membership ... and that you will do everything in your power to forward the interests of the organized labor movement.”
We have certain evidence clearly revealing that Harriette Dennett has made regular reports to the Federal Bureau of Investigation over a long period of time for which she has received payment. We are convinced that no honest trade unionist would have connections with any police body, especially the FBI, and still serve the best interests of the Union.
Let as examine the role of the FBI. Organized labor recognizes that law enforcing agencies are absolutely necessary in the protection of public and private property, prevention of crime, and safeguarding our welfare. However, various police bodies, both Federal and local, have always allied themselves with the employers in economic struggles. In strikes, the U. S. Army and National Guard have smashed picket lines and arrested union leaders, and, in conjunction with the courts, have framed them, had them imprisoned, deported, and even executed.
The FBI especially, acting as the undercover arm of these police forces, while it has done a commendable job in the apprehension of criminals, has constantly used its prestige and power in aiding employers and local police agencies in their efforts to weaken and destroy unions by hunting down progressive and militant trade unionists and having them blacklisted from their jobs.
In the Bridges Case, witnesses were either paid or intimidated by the FBI to testify falsely. They did not hesitate to use wiretapping, dictographing, and other devices, although illegal. At the present time, John Santos, long-time leader of the Transport Workers Union, is undergoing an ordeal very similar to that of Bridges. Strenuous efforts are being made to deport him because he has earned the enmity of powerful transit and utility corporations. He is charged with being an alien “red.” And, once again, the FBI is playing a key role in this hearing by rounding up questionable anti-labor characters to testify against him.
According to the La Follette Civil Liberties Committee, the Pinkerton Detective Agency was found to have 300 operatives enrolled in unions as members, of whom at least 100 were union officials—of them 14 presidents of locals, one national vice-president, 14 trustees, and 20 local union secretaries.
We are at present witnessing an attack upon a union in our own city as a result of the combination of discredited labor leaders, the un-American Canwell Committee and the Seattle P-I and its FBI agent and strike-breaker, Fred Niendorff.
Today, Labor is faced with and all-out offensive of the profit-greedy NAM. They are determined to bring wages down while continuing to raise the cost of living. This attack on the peoples’ living standards is most serious to the thousands of greatly underpaid white-collar workers.
To accomplish this union-busting program, the most vicious antilabor legislation, such as the Taft-Hartley law has been passed, and the Un-American Activities Committee, the little Dies Committees and numerous other government agencies—all in conjunction with the FBI—are engaged in a witch-hunt against labor.
Let us recall that it was not until trade unions were made impotent in Germany that Hitler dared to embark on the road to concentration and extermination camps.
The National CIO has condemned the Department of Justice for conducting a “gumshoe” probe of CIO political expenditures. President Philip Murray has reported “furtive operations and dramatic unearthing of clues by the FBI ... which can have only the objective of harassing and intimidation.”
Anyone working with the FBI or with any of the above-named antilabor committees or against the best interests of the union must clearly be labeled an enemy of labor and removed from membership in any labor organization to which he may belong.
Therefore, in pursuance of the procedure established by Section I, ARTICLE XV, which states that any elective or appointive officers of a local union may be removed from office subject to provisions of this Article for any violation of this Constitution “or because of the commission of an act impairing the usefulness of the organization,” we are presenting these charges, and demanding the expulsion of Harriette Dennett from UOPWA 35. We call upon our Union to immediately set up a trial committee to investigate these charges and report back its findings to a special membership meeting to be called for action by the membership.
uopwa 35 cio