In a shocking display of authoritarian tactics, District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey’s agents descended upon the Building Service Employees Int’l Union AFL convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in May 1940. Their target: three union officers and a bookkeeper. The unsuspecting delegates were met with the sudden and unwarranted arrest of Acting President William L. McFetridge, Vice President Thomas J. Burke, Treasurer Paul David, and a fourth official.
The convention hall erupted into chaos as union representatives were taken into custody, accused of being witnesses in the grand jury investigation of former President George Scalise and other union officers. The move was seen as a brazen display of power by Dewey’s office, leaving many in the union fuming.
One delegate, Jesse Fletcher from Local 6 of Seattle, summed up the sentiment of the gathering: ‘I came 3000 miles from my state to see the Gestapo in action here.’ The resolution condemning Dewey’s actions was passed unanimously, with the union calling upon AFL President William Green and the AFL executive council to investigate the matter.
The use of technical arrest as a means to intimidate and silence union officials was seen as a clear abuse of power. The incident left the union’s members feeling betrayed and frustrated, with many vowing to take action against Dewey’s office.
The incident served as a stark reminder of the corrupting influence of power and the dangers of unchecked authority. As the convention drew to a close, the delegates returned home with a sense of unease, knowing that the Gestapo-like tactics of Dewey’s office would not soon be forgotten.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Public Corruption
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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