Grand mother Bernice Baldwin, one of the FBI’s spies on n Communists, told today of widespread organization of the party in Michigan, up to the year 1950. The grey-haired, 48-year-old woman took the stand in the House Un-American Activities inquiry to relate in detail her experiences as an undercover agent. The testimony of Mrs. Baldwin followed upon the suspension of a Wayne University coed for her refusal to answer questions before the investigators and a threat of prosecution for fraud against another defiant witness. The nattily-dressed Mrs.Baldwin, chic in a feather-cut hairdo and dark ear rings, told the investigators of a Communist organization of clubs in at least 30 Michigan cities. She mentioned particularly, in a break-down of the party in Michigan, the Lansing and Ann Arbor–including “college teachers” in the former to teachers at Michigan State College and students at the University of Michigan. Mrs. Baldwin, reading from a chart, reported on organization of Michigan into three general categories – The Detroit area, Lower Michigan and Upper Michigan. In the Upper Peninsula, she listed Rock, Marquette, Eben Junetion, Calumet, Ironwood, Escanaba, Mass, Ontonagon, Hancock, Iron River, Iron Mountain and Baraga.
Mrs. Baldwin was flown to Detroit and is now in custody somewhere in the city or suburbs. Representative Potter, a member of the investigating group, who is tracing rumors of communist activities in defense industries, told reporters the committee might recess after Mrs. Baldwin’s testimony is heard.
Potter added the hearings scheduled for next week might be televised if congress acts on Speaker Sam Rayburn’s ban. Potter warned balky witnesses, eight of them who failed to answer questions yesterday, they might be cited for contempt of congress if they fail to talk before the session.
At a question from Rep. Potter, the witness said that the head of the party in Upper Michigan was Matt Savola, of Ironwood. He was not further identified.
Here a wrap up of the days hearings from WJR Radio in Detroit on February 29,1952
