I am not quite clear about this ferry boatmen’s union. Was it a local union not affiliated with any other?
Mr. Dennett. It was a part of an American Federation affiliate. At that time it was the Ferry Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific, affiliated with the International Seamen’s Union of America, affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.
Mr. Velde. In what year?
Mr. Dennett. That was in 1936.
Mr. Velde. How large was the local? How many members?
Mr. Dennett. I think there were in the neighborhood of 300 or 400 members in Puget Sound at that time. But that, of course, controlled all the tug boats and all the barges, all the towing, all the servicing, on the waterside of the smaller vessels.
I think that that completes the statement of what was in progress at the time of the question.
Mr. Tavenner. After this experience on the waterfront what was your next contact with the Communist Party?
Mr. Dennett. The next occurred in the district council of the Maritime Federation of the Pacific. That was Northwest District Council No. 1 which was in Seattle. This was the council to which delegates were sent from all the maritime unions.
(At this point Representative Morgan M. Moulder returned to the hearing room.)