U.S. At War: Blow to the War Effort

In San Francisco's 1934 dock strike West coast shippers—and then the whole U.S.—suddenly became aware of a gaunt, nervous man who talked with a cockney-like accent and abrupt gestures. He was fast gaining power over organized U.S. longshoremen. Australian-born Harry Bridges was wary, shrewd, and almost telepathically able to guess shipowners' moves before they were made. He led longshoremen with a dictatorial hand, rose to be named West Coast C.I.O. chief.

Sometimes he was seen with known Communists.

In a very short time Harry Bridges was the most hated man in California....