cause they have families to support and they need the work. This is the general type of statement that is contained in these affidavits. The CHAIRMAN. The affidavits by James R. Lucas and Coy D. Longing, to which the witness has referred, if they have not already been made exhibits, will be so submitted. Mr. DUFFY. These are included in the seven affidavits. The CHAIRMAN. The witness advises that they were among the seven. Mr. DUFFY. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Those were made exhibit 13 previously. While we are on this question about democratic processes, before we get into another aspect of it, let us find out what information you gathered there regarding the charge of a rigged election. Do you have some affidavits on that charge? Mr. DUFFY. I have four affidavits covering that point. It relates to a local in Tulsa, Okla. Local 798 is the local involved. An individual that they were seeking to reelect during that year was a man by the name of Jim Craddock. The information that we secured from these four depositions show that these individuals, 40 or 50 individuals, were told how to vote in this election, to go to Baton Rouge, La., and vote for this individual. The CHAIRMAN. You mean members from one local voted in the election of another local? Mr. DUFFY. Yes, they were told to clear their books into a clearinghouse center in Baton Rouge, La., for this election, and they were told to send their books over there and clear them in so that they would be eligible to vote and then were transferred over to vote and did vote. The CHAIRMAN. In other words, they were transferred out of the El Dorado local? Mr. DUFFY. Temporarily. The CHAIRMAN. Into what local? Mr. DUFFY. Local 798. The CHAIRMAN. That is in the local 798 at Tulsa, Okla., for the purpose of voting in an approaching election? Mr. DUFFY. I think it is very clear. These depositions aren't very long and I would like to read certain excerpts from them. The CHAIRMAN. Identify your affidavit there, or deposition, so we can make them a part of the record. Mr. DUFFY. The first deposition is from Mr. J. Truett Longing, and he resides at 611 West 10th Street in Crossett, Ark. Now, he says in his deposition The CHAIRMAN. Let us get all of that in the record. Mr. DUFFY. All right. The second one is from Mr. A. M. Evans, who resides at 400 North Walnut Street, Warren, Ark. The third is from Mr. J. T. Mitchell, Box 450, El Dorado, Ark. And also from James W. Jones, who resides The CHAIRMAN. Is it John W.? Mr. DUFFY. James W. Jones, 1416 Helm Street, El Dorado, Ark. The CHAIRMAN. You have the four affidavits? Mr. DUFFY. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. These affidavits may be made exhibit No. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D, and made a part of the record. (The documents referred to were marked "Exhibits 14A to 14D," respectively and may be found in the files of the subcommittee.) (The affidavits are as follows:) AFFIDAVIT I, J. Truett Longing, who reside at 611 West 10th, Crossett, Ark., freely and voluntarily make the following statement to LaVern J. Duffy, who has identified himself to me as a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor or Management Field. No threat, force, or duress has been used to induce me to make this statement, nor have I received any promise of immunity from any consequences which may result from submission of this statement to the aforementioned Senate select committee. Since the year 1946, I have been a member of Local 706, Steamfitters & Plumbers Union, El Dorado, Ark. In the past 3 weeks I have receive a withdrawal card from the union, and I am now working at the Crossett Paper Mill in Crossett. In the year 1955, I was working on the construction of a mill in Crossett when George Wolfe, a member of the executive board of local 706, approached me and said "that I should clear my book into local 798 in Tulsa, Okla.” He said that these orders came from Earl Griffin and that if we would do this for him that he would do us some good, later on down the line. It was apparent to me that Griffin was trying to control an election outside the local, but I decided to go along and I told him that I would clear my book into the local. It is my understanding that between 50 and 60 members cleared into the Tulsa local in order to guarantee the reelection of Jim Craddock. I remember local 706 chartered a bus to Baton Rouge, La., which was the clearinghouse where we were to vote for the union officials of local 798. The driver of the bus that took the men to Baton Rouge, La., to vote in the election of Craddock was Jimmy Jones and his busline was the Continental Southern Line. I understand that the local 706 paid for the bus expenses and also the expenses incurred in the movement of the men to Baton Rouge, La. Ted Nordmeyer was the individual of local 706 who handled the cash and gave it to the men who went on the bus. I recall that when it was time to leave, a number of the men did not show up, so other men used their books and went on to Baton Rouge to vote. Jim Craddock was easily reelected to the Tulsa local. I would also like to comment on the bad system that exists in the local relating to the blackballing of certain members who have had the gumption to stand up at union meetings and speak their minds. It is standard practice in the local that anyone who stands up and objects to the manner in which the Griffins run our union are discriminated against, and soon find themselves out looking for work. I have seen men who have disagreed with Earl Griffin and his practices sit on the bench a couple of years while other men from outside the area were allowed to work. I have read the foregoing statement, and to the best of my knowledge it is true and correct. Witness: My commission expires September 1, 1964. J. TRUETT LONGING. SYLVIA J. EVANS, Notary Public. AFFIDAVIT I, A. M. Evans, who reside at 400 North Walnut Street, Warren, Ark., make the following statement freely and voluntarily to LaVern J. Duffy, who has identified himself to me as a member of the staff of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor or Management Field. No threat, force, or duress has been used to induce me to make this statement, nor have I received any promise of immunity from any consequences which may result from submission of this statement to the aforementioned Senate select committee. Since the year 1951 I have been a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 706, El Dorado, Ark. Besides working out of local 706 I am also an ordained Baptist minister. I would like at this time to relate an incident that occurred in November or December of 1955, at which time I made a bad error in judgment regarding my activities in local 706. One of the members of local 706 and it was either Curtis Porter, "Red" Yocum, or George Wolfe, who made the statement to me that there was going to be an election of officers in local 798 of the Pipefitters Union in Tulsa, Okla., and it was important to get the right man in office as business manager. I was then asked by one of these three men to clear my union book into local 798 so that I could vote for the man 706 wanted elected. Without fully realizing at the time the terrible mistake I was making, I gave my union book and poll-tax receipt to Jimmy Baker and Omer Johnston and told them to give it to Curtis Porter. It was at this time that I realized that Earl Griffin, who is an international organizer for our union and who controls local 706, was also attempting to rig an election in another State. It has become clear to me since 1955 that Earl Griffin and his brother Ermon Griffin, have run local 706 with an iron fist. They have discriminated against members of our local union who have spoken out against their dictatorial policies at union meetings. I am sorry to admit that I am one of many in the local union who have been afraid to stand up against Earl and Ermon Griffin because most of us have families to support and need our jobs. I have seen the Griffins keep men out of work for long periods of time because the rank and file member had the nerve to challenge their policies. I have read the foregoing statement, and to the best of my knowledge it is true and correct. Witness: My commission expires February 10, 1962. A. M. EVANS. J. B. LANIER, Notary Public. AFFIDAVIT I, J. T. Mitchell, who reside at Route 1, Box 450, El Dorado, Ark., freely and voluntarily make the following statement to LaVern J. Duffy, who has identified himself to me as a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor or Management Field. No threat, force, or duress has been used to induce me to make this statement, nor have I received any promise of immunity from any consequences which may result from submission of this statement to the aforementioned Senate select committee. Since July 6, 1948, I have been a member of local 706, Steamfitters and Plumbers Union, El Dorado, Ark. In the latter part of 1955, Ted Nordmeyer approached me and asked me if I would make a trip to Baton Rouge, La., to vote for Jim Craddock in an election being held then. He said that Delton Fistchue was supposed to make the trip but his wife was ill and that he could not go. He asked me to take the place of Fistchue and vote for Craddock in the election. The following morning, around 7 a.m., Ted Nordmeyer met me at the bus which transported some 30 to 40 men to Baton Rouge, La., to vote in the election. He handed me Fistchue's book and told me to vote for Craddock. We arrived in Baton Rouge around noon and we were given a free chicken dinner, all we could eat. I remember putting some chicken in a bag that I had left over and "Red" Yocum ate it when we returned to El Dorado. When we finished eating, we went to the hotel where I voted for Craddock. After the voting we all went into an adjoining room where there was free liquor for everyone. I have read the foregoing statement, and to the best of my knowledge it is true and correct. Witness: My commission expires September 1, 1964. J. T. MITCHELL. SYLVIA J. EVANS, Notary Public. AFFIDAVIT I, James W. Jones, who reside at 1416 Helm Street, El Dorado, Ark., freely and voluntarily make the following statement to LaVern J. Duffy, who has identified himself to me as a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor or Management Field. No threat, force, or duress has been used to induce me to make this statement, nor have I received any promise of immunity from any consequences which may result from submission of this statement to the aforementioned Senate select committee: In the year of 1955 I was a bus driver for the Continental Southern Lines. I recall in the later part of 1955, L. D. Mims, terminal manager, handed me a charter order which directed me to pick up a group of 41 men at the union hall of Local 706, Steamfitters and Plumbers Union, El Dorado, Ark., and transport them to Baton Rouge, La. I picked up the 41 men and we proceeded to Baton Rouge, arriving around noon. I recall that we had lunch after we arrived. Approximately 21⁄2 hours later the men returned to the bus and we returned to El Dorado, arriving about 7 or 8 p.m. I heard no discussion during the course of this trip relating to the reason these men visited Baton Rouge. I only know it had something to do with the union affairs. I have read the foregoing statement, and to the best of my knowledge it is true and correct. Witness: JAMES W. JONES. SYLVIA J. EVANS, Notary Public. My commission expires September 1, 1964. In the year 1955, I was working on a construction of a mill in Crossett when George Wolfe, a member of the executive board of local 706 approached me and said that I should clear my book into local 798 in Tulsa, Okla. He said these orders came from Earl Griffin and that if we would do this for him he would do us some good later on down the line. It was apparent to me that Griffin was trying to control an election outside of the local but he decided to go along and I told him that I would clear my book into the local. It was my understanding that between 50 and 60 members cleared into the Tulsa local in order to guarantee the reelection of Jim Craddock. The CHAIRMAN. Craddock was seeking reelection in that local? Mr. DUFFY. That is right. The CHAIRMAN. And apparently had strong opposition. Mr. DUFFY. That is right. The CHAIRMAN. And in order to get him reelected, Griffin cooperated with him by getting some of its members to transfer to the Tulsa local and vote for him. Mr. DUFFY. That is right. The CHAIRMAN. That is a little bit of rigging, I would say. Mr. DUFFY. The second affidavit is from Mr. A. M. Evans, and I will quote a portion of that: I would like at this time to relate an incident that occurred in November or December of 1955, at which time we made a bad error in judgment regarding my activities in local 706. One of the members of local 706 either Curtis Porter or Red Yocom or George Wolfe, who made the statement to me that there was going to be an election of officers in local 798 of the pipefitters union in Tulsa, Okla., and it was important to get the right man in office as business manager. I was then asked by one of these three men to clear my union book into local 798 so I could vote for the man 706 wanted elected. Without realizing at the time the terrible mistake I was making; I gave my union book and poll tax receipt to Jimmy Baker and Oscar Johnson and told them to give it to Curtis Porter. At this time I realized that Earl Griffin, who was an international organizer for the union, and who controls local 706, was attempting to rig an election in another State. I have another deposition of Mr. Mitchell, and I will quote part of that. The latter part of 1955, Ted Nordmeyer approached me and asked me if I would make a trip to Baton Rouge, La., to vote for Jim Craddock in the election being held there. He said that Delton Fistchue was supposed to make the trip but his wife was ill and he could not go. He asked me to take the place of Fistchue and vote for Craddock in the election. The CHAIRMAN. Take the place of another man and vote for him? Mr. DUFFY. That is correct. The following morning about 7 p.m. Ted Nordmeyer met me at the bus which transported some 30 or 40 men to Baton Rouge to vote in the election. He handed me Fistchue's book and told me to vote for Craddock. We arrived, we made the trip, and we arrived in Baton Rouge around noon, and we were given a free chicken dinner, all we could eat, and I remember putting some chicken in a bag when I left and we returned to El Dorado. The last deposition is from Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones is the bus driver that took the men over there, and I interviewed him and secured a deposition from him, and he states: In the year 1955, I was a bus driver for the Continental Southern Lines. I recall in the latter part of 1955, L. D. Mims, terminal manager, handed me a charter order which directed me to pick up a group of 41 men at the union hall of local 706, steamfitters and plumbers union, El Dorado, Ark., and transport them to Baton Rouge, La. I picked up the 41 men and we proceeded to Baton Rouge, arriving around noon. I recall that we had lunch after we arrived. Approximately 21⁄2 hours later the men returned to the bus and we returned to El Dorado arriving about 7 or 8 p.m. I heard no discussion during the course of this trip relating to the reason these men visited Baton Rouge. I only know it had something to do with the union affairs. The CHAIRMAN. I believe those affidavits have already been made a part of the record. Now, is there anything else in connection with the lack of democracy or dictatorial rule or rigging elections that you found in the course of your investigation? Mr. DUFFY. Yes, sir; I have found, Mr. Chairman, an instance here, and there is an affidavit from Mr. Plez Major, and I will quote a portion of it. The CHAIRMAN. I do not recall that one. Mr. DUFFY. Yes, it is in. For many years I have been an outspoken critic of the dictatorial policies of the Griffins in the manner that they have run the affairs of local 706. I recall that in 1956 while working on a job in Pine Bluff, Ark., Benny Rybiski, foreman— Incidentally, Mr. Major is an ordained Baptist minister and a member of this local. I recall in 1956 while working on a job in Pine Bluff, Ark., Benny Rybiski, foreman, asked me to sign a petition which was handed out by Red Yocum, steward on the job. This petition contained a list of the officers of the union, and we were supposed to sign our names indicating we wanted them to remain in office. When I was asked to sign the petition I told Benny I didn't do things like that, and it was wrong. Benny answered that if I didn't sign it I wouldn't be around long. I didn't sign it. Since that time I have had difficulties getting a job in the local and they have discriminated against me in every way possible. I have also seen other members discriminated against and refused work who have seniority in the local; their jobs have been given to transits and permit men who have moved into the area. This theme runs through all of these affidavits. |