Regional Oral History Office University of California The Bancrof t Library Berkeley, California International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union Oral History Series David Jenkins THE UNION MOVEMENT, THE CALIFORNIA LABOR SCHOOL, AND SAN FRANCISCO POLITICS, 1926-1988 With Introductions by Robert Schrank and Joseph L. Alioto Interviews Conducted by Lisa Rubens in 1987 and 1988 Copyright 0 1993 by The Regents of the University of California Since 1954 the Regional Oral History Office has been interviewing leading participants in or well-placed witnesses to major events in the development of Northern California, the West, and the Nation. Oral history is a modern research technique involving an interviewee and an informed interviewer in spontaneous conversation. The taped record is transcribed, lightly edited for continuity and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewee. The resulting manuscript is typed in final form, indexed, bound with photographs and illustrative materials, and placed in The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, and other research collections for scholarly use. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account, offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is reflective, partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. All uses of this manuscript are covered by a legal agreement between The Regents of the University of California and Dave Jenkins dated March 17, 1992. The manuscript is thereby made available for research purposes. All literary rights in the manuscript, including the right to publish, are reserved to The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley. No part of the manuscript may be quoted for publication without the written permission of the Director of The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley. Requests for permission to quote for publication should be addressed to the Regional Oral History Office, 486 Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720, and should include identification of the specific passages to be quoted, anticipated use of the passages, and identification of the user. The legal agreement with David Jenkins requires that he be notified of the request and allowed thirty days in which to respond. It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows: David Jenkins, "The Union Movement, the California Labor School, and San Francisco Politics," an oral history conducted in 1987 and 1988 by Lisa Rubens, Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 1993. Copy no. Cataloging information JENKINS, David (1914-1993) Labor leader The Union Movement. the California Labor School. and San Francisco Politics, 1993, xii, 356 pp. Family background, maternal history of radicalism; New York, 1931-1939: Greenwich Village, Communist Party, protests and CIO organizing, Father Divine, race relations; Harry Bridges, 1939-1955, assessment of leadership, problems with friendship; Louis Goldblatt; work with National Maritime Union, 1937-1939; San Francisco: marriage to Edith Arnstein, children's careers; history, work, political direction of the California Labor School in the 1940s; disenchantment and break with Communist Party; discussion of Hallinans, Paul Jacobs, Jessica and Robert Treuhaft; mainstream San Francisco Democratic Party politics, city government: John Shelley, Joseph Alioto, George Moscone, Phillip and John Burton; thoughts on ILWU leadership. Introductions by Robert Schrank, management consultant; and Joseph Alioto, former Mayor of San Francisco. Interviewed 1987 and 1988 by Lisa Rubens for the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union Oral History Series. The Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. The Regional Oral History Office, on behalf of future researchers, would like to express its thanks to the following organizations and individuals whose encouragement and support have made possible the oral history of David Jenkins. Special thanks are due to Susie and Hadley Roff, C.J. Maupin, Catherine Porter, and Betty de Losada for their leadership in organizing the funding . Oreanizations Beeson, Tayer, & Bodine Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local No. 70 California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Center for Labor-Management Policy Studies, City University of New York Coblentz, Cahen, McCabe and Breyer Gerson Bakar Philanthropic Fund, Jewish Community Federation Hill and Knowlton, Inc. ILWU International Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Pier 39 Timothy A. Tosta Law Corporation Transport Workers Local 250-A Washington Square Bar and Grill Individuals Jenny Abbe Dennis P. Bouey Susan Abbott Marvin Brody Mike Abramson Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, Sr. Nancy Achilles Judith Brown Joseph L. Alioto Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. Vernon Alley Mark Buell Richard K. Arnold Honorable Mary I. Callanan Mrs. Lawrence Arnstein Norman and Margery Canright William and Joan Barnes Art Carter Anne S. Baskett Joseph R. Cerrell Willa K. Baum Paul and Miriam Chown Scott Beach Ronald and Linda Colnett Daniel Beagle Sol E. Cooper Rebecca S. Beagle, Dr. Robert A. Corrigan, President in memory of Raphael and Rebecca San Francisco State University Soyer Robert Davis Robert F. Begley Betty de Losada Henry E. Berman Carlota Del Portillo Jan Berry Stan and Reta Dorst Susan Bierman Ted Eden and Tom Eden Roger and Nancy Boas Dorothy M. Ehrlich Lynn A. Bonfield Keith Eickman A1 Borvice John Ferris Rachel Jenkins Ferris Bill and Sylvia Powell Ron Fimrite Clinton Reilly David Litwak and Sylvia H. Forman Milton and Laverne Reiterman James M. Foster Louise H. Renne Sam Francis Justine Riskind, Ph.D M. Bernice Garner Hadley and Susie Roff Drue and Arthur Gensler Toby Rosenblatt William and Gertrude German Beth Roy Theresa J . Goldblatt Lisa Rubens Zuretti Goosby Madeleine H. Russell Victor Gotbaum Stephanie Salter Blake Green Andrew J. Salz Vivian and Vincent Hallinan James San Jule Anne Halsted and Wells Whitney Joyce and Michael Schneider James R. Herman Mrs. John F. Shelley Ricardo Hernandez Kevin F. Shelley Jane and Henry Hewitt Zef Shllaku Marcia and Ricardo Hofer H. Marcia Smolens Edward and Anne Howden Don and Anne Solem Mr. & Mrs. E. Glenn Isaacson Dr. & Mrs. David A. Stadtner Edith A. Jenkins Blanche Streeter Becky Jenkins Sandra E. Taylor David Jenkins, Jr. Elliott C. Trommald Andrea Jepson Catherine and Bartholomew Voorsanger Frank and Toby Jones Eric J. Voorsanger and Family Toni King Neil Voorsanger and Family John H. Kirkwood Estolv E. and Angela Ward Lillian Kiskaddon Me1 Wax Judith and Jeffrey Klein Margaret, Albert, and Leslie Wax Myra Kopf Sanford L. Weiner Patricia and John Koskinen Daniel H. Weinstein Modes to Lanzone Deborah Weinstein-Stern Tom Layton and Gyongy Laky Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Lawrence A. Levitin Mirikitani, Glide Memorial Church Margaret and Norman Lezin Wes Willoughby Maya Lit Jane Winslow Lisa Livingston and Clarke Bingham William Witte Fred J. Martin, Jr. C.J. Maupin Mary Margaret McClure and John Adler William E. McDonnell Dick and Gerry Meister Caryl and Peter Mezey Mike Miller Peter B. Necarsulmer David Nelson Mr. & Mrs. Walter S. Newman Sally Osaki Michael Palmer and Cathy Simon Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Anne and David Perlman Terry and Joel Pimsleur Paul G. Pinsky Linda Post TABLE OF CONTENTS--DavidJenkins PREFACE INTRODUCTION--byRobert Shrank INTRODUCTION--byJospeh Alioto INTERVIEW HISTORY--by Lisa Rubens viii BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION xii FAMILY BACKGROUND AND THE EARLY EDUCATION OF A LABOR LEADER, 1914-1932 Some Thoughts on the Nature of Leadership Grandparents and Parents Grandfather Jenkins, a Legendary Seaman A Maternal Heritage of Radicalism Family Life in the South Bronx Mother as Businesswoman after Father's Death Passaic, New Jersey: Formal Education Ends and the Education of a Radical Worker Begins The Passaic General Strike, 1926 More on Mother's Life and Influence Jobs and Experience in and around New Jersey I1 NEW YORK: EXPERIENCING CHANGES IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY AND SOCIETY, 1931-1939 Moving into a "Collective" in Greenwich Village Joining the Communist Party, 1932 The Exciting Artistic and Political Mix in the Village Surviving the Depression: Working for the Unemployed Council; Getting a Start in the Communist Party Soapbox Activity on the West Side and the Docks Some Aspects of Communist Party Leadership, Influences, and Activities Protesting the German-American Bund The Unemployed Battles Heat Up: A Demonstration Turns Violent Maritime Organizing in New York, 1934 Digression to Marriage and Birth of First Child, 1937: A Reflection on Contemporary Gender-Sex Roles Communist Party and CIO Organizer, Upstate New York, 1936-1937 Reflections on the 1936 Presidential Campaign The Communist Party Debates Morality Jewish Issues Experiences in Jail: Prisons, Prisoners, and Protests, 1934 Recreation Director in Harlem and Other Community Centers in New York City, 1935-1937 Father Divine's Mission The German-American Bund and the Jewish Community The Communist Party and the Negro Question Other Aspects of Harlem Life and Race Relations The New Social Mix: Bohemianism and Education in Popular Front America The New Woman I11 HARRY BRIDGES: LABOR LEADER AND FRIEND First Meeting in New York, 1935 Maritime Organizing, Norfolk, Virginia, 1937 On the West Coast, 1939: The Beginning of a Long-Term Relationship Bridges Family Life and Its Disintegration, 1950s Alcohol and Other Diversions Bridges'