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union, ponucs.Couple ThousandRomano, in his appearance before the committee, said the Communists could control the local despite the fact there are only “a couple thousand” fellow travelers at the; Rouge and no more than 150 to 175 actual party members.The party's influence in Local 600, i is its “greatest at any time,*’ Ro-I mano said. Local 600. with a membership of 60,000, is the biggest inthe huge auto union.The witness, who said he quit tbei Communist party six years ago, said that at one time a clog catcher couldn’t get elected lt;in the local) without party approval,” Polish-born Stanley Nowak. 49,' for ten years a Democratic legislator from Wayne (Detroit) county, refused for the most part of his four hours on the stand yesterday to answer questions.Hamtramek Leader Nowak has long been a leader in the city of Hamtramek, a big Polish community of the Detroit area.The interrogation, covering a period of more than 20 years, dealt largely with whether or not Nowak took part in any Communist or i Communist-front activities.Almost invariably, Nowak declined answers. He held that he was standing on his constitutional rights.An otherwise repetitious proceeding had one dramatic turn.Toward the end of Nowak's testimony a “Mr. X put in an appearance—shortly to name the former senator as one of the persons at a reputed ComrrJunist membership meeting in 1937.Refuses Answer First, Nowak was confronted with “Mr, X” and asked if he could identify him. Nowak refused to answer, saying he feared he might “lay myself open to charges,” Subsequently it developed I hat ‘“Mr. X”—in reality, Gasimir Rataj, 50. Marine City, Mich., farmer and Detroit auto shop worker—had spied on Detroit Communists from 1936 to 1938.When he was found out, he said.‘ he was “kicked out” of the party.
Newspaper Details
St Joseph Herald Press
St Joseph, Michigan, US
Tue, Mar 11, 1952
Page 6
Full Page
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Anonymous
MI, USA 02 Aug 2017
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