‘| am completely innocent’ states Doukhobor sentenced to 14 yea “T declare in truth and with all my heart and soul that I am completely innocent. the appeal of Nick Evdokimoff, a Sons of Freedom Doukhobor( sentenced by Mr. Justice A. M. Manson at the Fall Assizes to 14 years being in possession of an explosive substance, namely, a jug filled with gasoline and oil. In a signed statement released from Okalla prison on December 3, Evdokimoff declares: severe sentence, which for me is a life sentence because I am now 55 determined to appeal my case, but I lack sufficient money to do this. possible so that my appeal can go forward and my innocence proved.” Jack Phillips, executive secre- tary of the Vancouver Branch of the League For Democratic Rights, has announced that his organiza- tion has been authorized by Ev- dokimoff to raise money for the appeal. “Our counsel, Harold Dean, has gone into the case very carefully with the lawyer who defended Ev- dokimoff, John A. MacDonald. Dean is convinced, after a careful study of all available information, that Evdokimoff is innocent and should be freed.” The Crown’s case against the ac- cused rested largely on the fact that Evdokimoff was allegedly seen lying in the wet grass on unoccu- We Support This Publication by advertising for a chance to prove to its readers what a good dependable service we can provide at a fair price. Citywide Electronics Service 692 E. Hastings St. Repairs to radios, television and all electrical appliances. Free pickup and delivery. HAstings 7262 Anytime. pied property at Goose Creek near Krestova at about 12.30 a.m., June 28, 1953. Two hours later, in the spot where the accused was alleg- ed to have been lying, a jug filled with a mixture of oil and gasoline was found. Spectators who. attended the trial were unfavorably impressed by the apparent hostility shown by Mr. Justice Manson towards the ac- cused and the defense. He refused to allow a Doukhobor, Evdokimoff’s brother, to speak through an in- terpreter, even after the Doukho- bor failed to understand English. He made slighting remarks about defense witnesses, and in summing up failed to present two of the key arguments of the defense counsel. Although a mixture of gasoline and oil in’a jug is not necessarily an: explosive, and although there was a wide margin of doubt when it came to connecting Evdokimoff with the jug, Mr. Justice Manson sentenced the accused to the maxi- mum period in jail. Before sentence was passed, Ev- dokimoff again declared his inno- cence, that he had been found guilty because he was a Doukho- bor and that some day he would be vindicated. “Before God I declare I am clear of- blame, as clear as that lamp shining there I am innocent.” Readers interested in making a contribution toward Evdokimoff’s defense are requested to write to | the Vancouver Branch, League For Democratic Rights, 339 West Pen- der Street, Vancouver 3. All monies will be turned over to de- fense counsel and receipts for- | warded. More Seattle jobless SEATTLE There are 12,300 unemployed workers in the King county labor force, the county employment ser- vice office announced last week. Unemployment is running about 30 percent higher than at this time last year, it said. New grain carrier for Great Lakes years old, I feel sure that I was convicted because I,am a Doukhobor. I therefore appeal to all people to help me in my predicament in every way I have been sentenced to 14 years in jail.’ This § in jail for “In view of my innocence, and in view the am One of the most modern shins of her kind in the world, the 715-foot grain carier, T. L. (above), is ready for launching at the Hidland, Ontario, shipyard where her keel was laid last The vessel, which will be used on the Great Lakes, will take up all available space in the locks. McLag" January: UnAmericans hit by longshoremen SAN FRANCISCO This busy port came to a stand- still last week as 6,000 longshore- men stopped work to demonstrate their hostility to the House Un- American Committee. There was a strange morning quiet over the usually busy Em- barcadero. Ships lay at their piers, booms still and winches silent, as longshoremen flocked to the city hall, where the Un-American hear- | ings were in progress, to attend a! stop-work protest meeting. The dramatic protest was called | by Longshoremen’s Local 10, which had voted at a regular meeting to resort to such action if the ILWU were attacked at the hearings. THURSDAY DECEMBER 31 9 to ?? FiSRERMEN‘S HALL 138 East Cordova @ Good Orchestra @ Favors @ -orgasbord _ ELLE SE RS, NEW YEAR’S EVE Pacific Tribune Cabar et Dance Single Ticket $2.00 Double Ticket $3.50. R P B Pec A, q Circulation Manager, Pacific Tribune, Room 6 - 426 Main Vancouver 4, B.C. ‘ Please send the PACIFIC TRIBUNE for: pe AS 4 OA rc what better gift than @ sub to the Pacific Tribune* street Six months : . Lf A notice announcing your gift will be sent to the person e whom you subscribe. t PACIFIC TRIBUNE — DECEMBER 11, 1953 —