EXHIBIT 13148 [Copied from the files of the California Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation under subpena, 11/30/38] DEAR CLARENCE: I am enclosing herewith a copy of a list of license numbers of automobiles whose occupants are active in the strike in the cotton fields of Kern County. I would like very much to have you have someone from your office check with the Motor Vehicle Department and give me the ownership and addresses under the registrations. You will note there are some out of state cars. I do not know whether or not the Motor Vehicle Department has any record on them, but if they do, I would like to have that also. These people have not yet reached Fresno County in their agitation and I do not believe they will be able to get very far here. I am trying to prepare myself the best I know how to cope with the situation in case it develops. I will very much appreciate having this information at the earliest possible date. Thanking you, I am Yours truly, [Signed] GEO. J. OVERHOLT, GJO: nw EXHIBIT 13149 Sheriff, of Fresno County. [Copied from the files of the California Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation under subpena, 11/30/38] OCTOBER 22, 1936. Mr. GEORGE J. OVERHOLT, DEAR GEORGE: As requested in your letter of October seventeenth, we have checked the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles and are inclosing herewith two copies of the registrations disclosed of the list of license numbers submitted. Trusting this information will be of assistance to you and assuring you of our desire to serve you whenever possible, I am Very truly yours, HCH*MM C. S. MORRILL, Chief of Division. D. PROTEST REGARDING STRIKE ACTIVITIES OF DEPUTIES EXHIBIT 13150 [Copied from the files of District Attorney of Fresno County under subpena] [Original] Mr. DAN CONWAY, 304 HOLLAND BLDG., Fresno, Calif., May 9, 1939. District Attorney, Fresno County, Fresno, Calif. DEAR MR. CONWAY: We wish to call your attention to the attitude shown our strikers by the officers from Fresno Sheriff's Office, in our strike on the Mosesian Ranch. It is the concensus of opinion of our strikers and members of our organization that so long as our pickets are peacefully picketing, we are within the law. Last Thursday one of our strikers, a man sixty-seven years of age, was on picket duty. He spoke to a strike-breaker riding on a truck, saying "hello," as he has known him for many years. The two officers Mr. Clifford Forrest and Mr. S. B. Williams, both got out of their car, and each officer took turns grabbing this old man and shaking him very hard. This old man being sixty-seven was very much physically and morally demoralized. Also the officers on duty stopped and talked to the rank and file pickets on the line and suggested they go to work at 20 per hour, instead of holding for a higher wage. These same officers refused to rebuke Mrs. Mosesian after she had drawn a gun on our picket, Mr. U. Richardson and our picket Mr. Felipe Huerta. Also threatened us with a chopping ax. The officers refused to rebuke Mrs. Mosesian when she drove her car about four feet off the road toward the pickets, the pickets feeling unsafe on the line. It is the general opinion of all the strikers that these Fresno County officers have not given the strikers the same protection that they have given the grower, Mrs. Mosesian, and have deliberately intimidated the strikers for the purpose of demoralizing the ranks and ending the strike. Yours very truly, [Copied from official Due Card in the files of John Van Wy under subpena] INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CHAUFFEURS, STABLEMEN AND HELPERS OFFICIAL DUE CARD This is to Certify, That in consideration of Application for Membership duly signed and filed MR. JOHN V. VAN WY was granted membership by GENERAL TEAMSTERS, LOCAL No. 431, FRESNO, CALIF. DUPLICATE [Copied from the files of the California Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation under subpena, 11/30/38] CITY OF FRESNO, POLICE DEPARTMENT, Mr. C. S. MORRILL, Chief, Division of Criminal Identification and Investigation, April 12, 1935. Sacramento, Calif. DEAR SIR: Enclosed herewith find report by Detective Sergeant Brady on Communists and the report will speak for itself. We are keeping as close tab on them here for you as possible. Our man is now Secretary of this new Association which is being formed. Very respectfully, FT-LR EXHIBIT 13153 FRANK TRUAX, Chief of Police. [Attached to Exhibit 13152] APRIL 12, 1935. April 10, 1935, a meeting was held at 816 Broadway, attended by approximately 100 persons, mostly men. They were local SERA workers, some were members of the Communist Party. At this meeting an organization was formed and the name "Public Works & Unemployed Union" will be used. H. E. Phillips was elected President, a Mr. Owen was elected Vice President, John H. Van Wy was elected corresponding secretary, J. H. Gray was elected recording secretary. J. H. Wolfe was elected treasurer. A Committee was appointed to rent a hall for a meeting Tuesday night April 16th. The following were on the Committee: Luther Smith, H. E. Phillips, J. H. Wolfe and D. M. Foster. EXHIBIT 13154 [Copied from the files of the District Attorney of Madera Co. under subpena, 12/15/29FLW/mir] Mr. GEORGE MORDECAI, Office of the District Attorney COUNTY OF FRESNO FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, January 28, 1936. District Attorney, Madera, California. DEAR SIR: This office for some time past has had a very efficient man working on communistic activities. He has made regularly from one to four or five reports per week, and has kept the Sheriff's Office of this County and this office very well informed as to the progress of communistic activities here in the Valley. I am writing this letter to the following District Attorneys: Tom Scott, Kern County; Walter C. Haight, Tulare County; and Roger R. Walch, Kings County. I appreciate, of course, that this is the largest County, and should bear the largest portion of the expense of the maintenance of this man. But, in view of a recent case in this County, which nearly depleted our available funds, I will find it necessary to have some understanding with the neighboring Counties, if possible, to work out a solution of what may be a vexatious problem next summer. I am, therefore, taking the liberty of asking the District Attorneys to be present at my office Monday afternoon, February 3, to discuss the advisability of continuing this work. You know that this activity is Valley wide, and the reports would be sent to each District Attorney regardless of the particular community where the investigation was made. I hope you will not feel that I am presumptious in writing this letter, but, as you know, some one must start the "ball rolling", and, at least, it will do no harm to have a conference on this matter. If there is any particular reason why you should wish a conference at some other place and at some other date, I, of course, would be only too glad to meet you. In other words, if you feel that Visalia would be a more central point, I would be more than pleased to have a conference there. Please let me hear from you at your very earliest oportunity, as my contract with this man expires on February the 15th. Yours very truly, DFC: A EXHIBIT 13155 [s] DAN F. CONWAY, District Attorney. [Copied from files of District Attorney of Fresno County under subpena] Mr. GEORGE J. OVERHOLT, Sheriff, Fresno, California. JANUARY 28, 1936. DEAR GEORGE: I am enclosing herewith a copy of a letter which I have mailed to the District Attorneys of the following counties: Kern, Tulare, Kings and Madera. I would like to talk this matter over with you before we have this meeting, and possibly you might want to have some of the Sheriffs there at the time. You will, of course, know to whom I refer, when I say we have an efficient man working for us. He is the same man who has been working right along. With best regards, I am Yours very truly, DFC: A DAN F. CONWAY, District Attorney. C. PAYMENTS BY FRESNO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND SHERIFF' (1) PAYMENTS FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S GENERAL FUND, 1935-37 EXHIBIT 13156 OFFICE OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR HALL OF RECORDS. FRESNO, CALIFORNIA This is to certify that the following table is a true and correct summary of payments made by regular County Warrant drawn on the District Attorney's General Fund to John Van Wy. /s/ MILTON H. POSSONS, County Auditor. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3rd day of January, 1939. [Copied from the files of Milton H. Possons, Fresno County Auditor, Fresno, California] 1 For payments to John V. Van Wy by sheriff and district attorney of Madera County, see exhibits 13109-13119, pp. 26317-26326. Circled in red and marked "o.k." in pencil. |