How to Get Arrested

Rolland Jay Thomas went to Texas to get arrested. He finally succeeded.

Last August Texas wrote into its statute book a sweeping “labor-regulating” law (similar to laws of Kansas, Florida, Colorado and Alabama). Most offensive to organized labor and involving the Constitutional issue of free speech is a provision which requires labor organizers to get a permit from the Secretary of State be fore they may solicit union memberships.

Last week husky, homespun R. J. Thomas, head of C.I.O.’s powerful United Automobile Workers, invaded Texas to test the law. In the little oil town of Pelly, he hoisted his 240 lb. to a platform, made an organizing speech while workers encouraged him with traditional Texas yells of “Pour it on ’em.” Deputy Sheriff W. B. Milner whispered to Thomas’ publicity man that “it wouldn’t count” unless Thomas made a direct appeal to an individual. The publicity man passed up a note to his boss. Said he: “It’s getting damned hard to get arrested these days.”

Thomas’ sentence: $100 fine and three days in jail. The State Supreme Court let Thomas out on a writ of habeas corpus to keep a date with General Marshall.

As soon as the labor leader returns to Texas, the case will start on its way up through the courts. But J. Frank Dobie, Texas University’s famed English professor and maverick, who will soon go to Oxford to explain American civilization, has already rendered his verdict. Said Dobie: “A man can come to Texas and without interference invite all the people he wants to join the Republican Party, the Liar’s Club, the Association for the Anointment of Herbert Hoover as Prophet, almost any kind of organization except one. If the Manford Law is an index of capitalism’s future policy, the people had better begin digging cellars for the revolution.”