Are You a Red?

In a New York federal courtroom last week, a congressional subcommittee cornered a group of union labor leaders. It fired the same question at them which had been asked last year of a group of Hollywood writers and producers. The question: "Are you or have you ever been a Communist?" The unionists were from the C.I.O.'s Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which takes in everyone from truck loaders to notions-counter clerks in the country's department stores. The union, with some 150,000 members, is split by a right wing-left wing fight.

Following the tactics of Communists and of Hollywood's "unfriendly ten," the left-wing leaders refused to answer. In the now familiar pattern, they tried to 'turn the witness chair into a soapbox, hurled accusations at the Congressmen, and got themselves thrown out.

The Springing Osmans. Witness Arthur Osman, president of Local 65, shouted ringingly: "For every Osman you put in jail another Osman will spring up." On orders of Committee Chairman Charles Kersten, marshals ejected him. Jack Paley, secretary-treasurer of the same local, achieved similar treatment. His last words as he was hustled to the door: "I don't think the committee should be concerned with my politics."

Samuel Lewis, business manager of Local 3, accused the committee of favoring management against the workers. "Now don't talk that way," warned Georgia's Congressman John Wood. Bellowed Lewis: "Never mind how I talk." Lewis was convoyed out, snapping at the marshals, "Don't push me, take your hands off me," and still trying to make a speech.

Six others also refused to answer what Congressman Fred Hartley, co-author of the Taft-Hartley law, called "the $64 question." Chairman Kersten said that all nine would be cited for contempt of Congress, punishable by a maximum of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Readmitted to the courtroom, Witness Osman shouted that the committee's action reflected "the corrupt, degenerate mentality of men who have made the House of Representatives a house of ill repute."

A Bunch of Martyrs. Despite the loud objections, Congressmen have for some time maintained their right to ask the "$64 question." Some of the unionists answered it. Samuel Wolchok, president of the union, said that he was not a Communist. So did his right-hand man, Jack Altman, onetime Socialist. Both of them thought the question was improper, however. They thought that jailing the nine would only make "a bunch of martyrs" out of them.

Altman thought that 99% of the union's membership were "good Americans" and antiCommunists. But outside the court building some 500 leftist pickets paraded the streets, screaming: "How do you spell Altman?--R-A-T."

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