The Pittsburgh Press (October 18, 1944)
Battle of Statler inquiry studied
Washington (UP) –
The Senate Campaign Expenditures Committee was called into closed session today to decide if and when it will give a public airing to the celebrated “Battle of the Statler” between two Navy officers and members of the AFL Teamsters Union.
Chairman Theodore F. Green (D-RI), arranged the meeting to present evidence gathered by committee counsel Robert T. Murphy, but said he would make no personal recommendation one way or the other as to a formal inquiry.
The decision, he said, must be made by the committee, not the chairman, but “I hope they decide today.”
Senator Green refused prior to the meeting to answer any questions concerning the brawl that took place in the Statler Hotel here on Sept. 23 just after President Roosevelt had opened his political campaign with an address before the AFL union.
The officers involved, LtCdr. James Suddeth, 33, and Lt. Randolph Dickins, 23, contends it all started when members of the union collared them and demanded to know how they vote. They replied that it was strictly their business, whereupon fists began to fly.