STRIKE AFTERMATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 208, 3 September 1934, Page 8

STRIKE AFTERMATH.

IN SAN FRANCISCO. ROUND-UP OF "RADICALS." COMMUNIST HUNGER-STRIKE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SAX FRANCISCO, August 15. An aftermath of the general strike which paralysed the community of San Francisco for several days was a determined and organised attack on all centres of radicalism in the city. Numerous '"headquarters" of "Reds'" and confirmed agitators were raided ruthlessly by unidentified "vigilantes," armed bodies of men, and furniture was destroyed, and the Radicals found in the premises were chased away, many receiving severe injuries. In the round-up by the police several hundred of the Radicals were arrested. When they appeared in Court some were released through no evidence being available against them, but a large number demanded separate jury trials. They were remanded on 1000 dollars bail, which they were unable to produce, with the consequence that they were removed to gaol to await trial. Efforts were made from all parts of the United States by sections of the Communist party in the country to coerce the judges to reduce the bail, which was considered excessive by the Communist sympathisers, as well as by the prisoners themselves. Some telegrams received by the judges were impudent and dictatorial. The judges were adamant and the bail of 1000 dollars remained. The Communists in gaol adopted an attitude of posing as martyrs and decided upon a hunger strike, in order to attract nation-wide attention, which they did. A few proved to be backsliders, but twenty-four remained. Advised to Eat. The hunger strike in San Francisco City prison ended on August 16 in a flurry of broth! Shortly after noon, after the 24 prisoners arrested had refused "red mike and violets," as corned beef and cabbage is known, they went into conference with Joseph Wilson, organiser for the International Labour Defence. Wilson convinced them no good would be served hy further prolorging the strike and that they were impairing their- health. On his advice they announced they would "accept" something to eat. Wilson arranged to have a gallon of broth sent in -to them, to be followed later by a "light mush" and still later by "poached eggs ami milk toast." The" prisoners afterwards resumed gaol food and their first dish was corned beef and hash made from the corned beef left over from the preceding day. Among the eaters was Dr. Franklin Bissell, physician for the Communists, airested in prison hy. State authorities for violatinc- the Medical Practice Act. Dr. Bissell left Court early in the day vowing no food should pass his lips. But he. when poached eggs and milk toast appeared in the offing; '•. : / "Silence "Strike." '■ On the last day the Communists, who had been seven , days on a hunger strike, added to their miseries by going on .a "silence strike" and refused to speak to guards, gaolers or the prison physician,. Dr. A.. A. O'Neill. The first intimation of. the new strike came at dawn. A gaoler on his rounds greeted them pleasantly, as: was his wont. "Good morning/boys!" But he was met bv a stonv silence. He peered into the | cell to sec if they were all dead. No. He tried again." "Sleep well!" No response. - The gaoler reported that for the first'time in police history a Communist grbup was not talking! Dr. O'Neill, who inspects all prisoners then tried his luck. "How are you all getting along this morning?" he inquired. The' Communists peered 'at him from above their whiskers, but they made no reply. After various attempts he gave it up. A tomb-like absence- of sound,hung heavily in the gaol corridor. The Communists' refusal to talk was blamed on Dr. O'Neill for they held him responsible for Dr. Bissell's arrest. Dr. Bissell appeared before Municipal Judge Steiger and talked himself back into gaol. The assistant district attorney, Harmon Skillen, informed the court he believed the law violation by .the doctor had been more or less technical. He indicated the district attorney's office would be satisfied with a dismissal. Dr. Bissell, however, launched into a tirade against the prison, the "system," the gaol programme, the police and his treatment in general until Judge Steiger threatened him with a contempt of court punishment. He then pleaded "not guilty," and demanded a jury trial. Later he was released on 1000 dollars bail. In other parts of San Francisco, Communists continued to be rounded up by the police. Arresting officers said they were haranguing crowds from "soap boxes." In some instances, the agitators carried bundles of radical literature, but they decamped on seeing the approach of the police. Nation-wide Campaign. The anti-Communist drive which started in San Francisco has now spread all over the United States. The American Legion convention in San Francisco passed several strongly worded resolutions condemning radicalism and demanding the death penalty on those attempting to overthrow the American Government. The agitation has spread to the Atlantic seaboard, where conventions of fraternal and patriotic organisations have similarly passed resolutions condemning Communism. In San Francisco a campaign against radicalism and its influence is under way, sponsored by the Merchants' Committee, representing the retail interests. They advocate strengthening immigration laws to prohibit persons of "Communistic tendencies" entering the country; . registration—finger-printing _and photographing of all persons over 18 — and amending the Constitution broadening the definition of treason, to include seditious propaganda.