IN ’34, RIGHT-WING MILITIA PLOTTED TO TAKE CITY HALL

In August of 1934 federal authorities revealed an elaborate failed plot by a right-wing para-military group called the Silver Shirts to capture San Diego City Hall to avert a Communist takeover.

The Silver Shirts of America, modeled after the Nazi Storm Troopers, were founded by William Dudley Pelley early in 1933, with headquarters in Asheville, N.C. One local organizer later was tried and acquitted on a grand theft charge in connection with allegedly swindling money from an elderly Escondido rancher to support Silver Shirt activities.

From The San Diego Union, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 1934:

WITNESS REVEALS PLAN TO ‘CAPTURE’ CITY HALL HERE

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 (A.P.) Dr. George Gyssling, German vice consul here, today refused to appear before the congressional committee investigating un-american affairs.

The committee is concentrating its inquiry on the Silver Shirts, an alleged organization of armed men with pro-nazi leanings, which, according to testimony given the committee, has been drilling in secluded spots near San Diego with stolen government rifles and with the avowed purpose of changing the government of the United States.

Despite the refusal of the German official to appear before the body, the committee went ahead with its investigation today, disclosing through the testimony of Virgil

Hayes, former member of the United States marine corps, a sensational “inside story” of how the Silver Shirts in the San Diego area have been arming and drilling in an alleged plot to take control of the United States government.

KEMP SAID COMMANDER Hayes said he became involved in the Silver Shirts investigation through a meeting with W. W. Kemp, who, he alleged, was commander of the San Diego Silver Shirts.

He described vast caches of munitions, hidden in the San Diego back country but admitted he had not actually seen more than a limited amount. Asked by the attorney for the committee what was the purpose of the Silver Shirts, Hayes said: “To change the government. William Dudley Pelley, the national organizer, told me the plan was to incorporate the nation, giving each adult citizen a share of stock. This would bear a monthly dividend of $80, he said. He also planned to deport the Jews. whether native born or not.”

“Was force advocated to gain control of the government?” Hayes was asked.

“Yes. I was commissioned as an instructor in military tactics with the silver shirts. I taught them the use of small arms and street fighting.”

PLANNED HALL ‘CAPTURE’ One of the first witnesses to appear before the committee today was Corp. Edward T. Grey of the United States marines, stationed in San Diego. He was assigned by superior officers to investigate the activities of the silver shirts. The corporal gave an account of the planned “capture” of the San Diego city hall by force, saying:

“It was planned for early in May, when the Communists were to stage a May day celebration. The silver shirts were ready, too. The 200 armed, trained silver shirts had orders to converge on the city from the outskirts. They counted on the Communists going in before them and taking the city by storm. Then, in the confusion, the silver shirts were going to overthrow the communists, their avowed enemies.”

The “capture” of San Diego failed, however, Grey said, when the Communist demonstration failed to materialize.

Hayes, the former marine testified as to conversations he had with Kemp, who he named as leader of the Silver Shirts.

“Kemp told me the sheriff’s office would protect all the silver shirts. He said everybody in the office was for us but one, the undersheriff. The undersheriff is a Jew, he said, and would be “liquidated.” I guess he meant killed.

“He said that when we were mobilized the sheriffs and police departments arms would be turned over to us.” Hayes in explaining how he gained the confidence of the silver shirts said: “I knew Kemp before. Last April I met him in Oceanside and he asked me if I was a marine and if I had access to their guns and ammunition. I said ‘yes.’ He offered me $10 a piece for Springfield rifles, $20 a case for cartridges and $50 a piece for Browning automatics that I could steal.

“I reported this to my superior officers. At that time I was still a marine, being honorably discharged late in June. He assigned me to investigate the Silver Shirts.”

SAYS U.S. ARMS USED

Hayes charged the Silver Shirts are drilling with rifles bearing government serial numbers. He said he had been told they were purchased from soldiers and sailors.