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Paul Schmidt: A Workingman's Tenacious Pursuit of Religious Liberty*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2015

Chuck Smith
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Extract

Paul Schmidt “came to work uneasy about what might happen.” To avoid losing his job, he had done as much as his conscience would allow. Now on December 19, 1941, faithful to his beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness, Schmidt refused to salute the flag in order to keep his well-paying job. He was a journeyman window-glass cutter at the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Works No. 12 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. The day before, workers at the plant had conducted a flag-salute ceremony at the end of the workday, and the company's managers encouraged all employees to attend. Schmidt and five other Jehovah's Witnesses, in an effort to avoid a conflict, left work before the ceremony started. Schmidt was first of those workers to lose his job for adhering to his beliefs; over the next several days, the other Jehovah's Witnesses were fired or resigned under pressure because others in the plant refused to work with them. On December 24, Schmidt's son, Bernard, was the last Jehovah's Witness to be fired.

The firing of Paul Schmidt and his struggle to defend his religious liberty provide a valuable case study of a citizen pursuing his rights in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Schmidt, a journeyman glasscutter and a factory worker, was clearly intelligent, but not an intellectual. He was not a theologian or philosopher pondering the meaning of religious doctrine; he was an ordinary working man striving to practice his beliefs in daily life. His efforts to regain his job demonstrated how legal rights can be expanded by a non-lawyer, by someone who was concerned not with points of law, but with the pursuit of justice. He aggressively sought legal protection for his right to freely exercise his beliefs and was undaunted by the ineffectiveness of most of the avenues he pursued. Schmidt's insistent, unflagging demands resulted in an unprecedented use of administrative law to expand protection for religious liberties.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Law and Religion , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , 2000 , pp. 559 - 578
Copyright
Copyright © Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University 2000

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Footnotes

*

Research for this article was partially funded by The West Virginia Humanities Council, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and by a grant from the West Virginia State College Research Committee.

References

1. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (March 9, 1942), American Civil Liberties Union Archives 2428:123, Seeley G Mudd Manuscript Library, Princeton U. Used by permission of Princeton U Libraries. Hereafter referred to as ACLU Archives.

2. Id at 143.

3. Id at 41.

4. Letter from Stanley Meredith to Harry Nixon, Window Glass Cutters League of America (Dec 27, 1940), (Series 2, Legal Matters 1924-73, Box 2, Folder 13, Jehovah's Witness Case 1941-43), W Va and Regional History Collection, W Va U Libraries, A & M 2423. Used by permission of the W Va U Libraries. Hereafter referred to as WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file.

5. Manwaring, David R., Render Unto Caesar: The Flag Salute Controversy 30–33 (U Chi Press, 1962). See Exod 20:3-5Google Scholar.

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7. Minersville Sch Dist v Gobitis, 310 US 586 (1940).

8. Minutes of the Harrison Co Sch Bd of Educ 100, Minute Book 4 (Aug 5, 1941).

9. Non-Saluters Open School in Northview, 9 Clarksburg (W Va) Exponent (Sept 25, 1941).

10. Affidavit of Kroll, Fred, Brief of Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company 20 (12 21, 1942)Google Scholar Nat'l Archives & Records Admin, Record Group 228, Comm on Fair Emp Practices, Headquarters Records/Legal Div–hearings (Entry 19 530-53-41-07 Box 336). Hereafter referred to as NARA RG 228, CFEP Hearing.

11. Id at 66, 37-39- CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

12. Id at 48.

13. Minutes, Norwood Local (Dec 16, 1941), W Va & Regional History Collection, W Va U Libraries, A & M 2423-Window Glass Cutters League of America, Gen Corresp, Records 1924-73, Series 3, Gen Corresp, Box 26, Folders w/Norwood Local Corresp.

14. Id.

15. Manwaring, Render Unto Caesar at 6, 63, 64, 77, 165, 166, 175-76 (cited in note 5).

16. CFEP Hrg.Tr. at 124; and Affidavit of Clarence James, Brief of Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at 38-39, NARA RG 228, CFEP Hearing Record (cited in note 10).

17. Brief of Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at 2 (cited in note 16).

18. Letter from Paul Schmidt to Clifford Forster (March 6, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:123 (cited in note 1).

19. CFEP Hrg.Tr. 143, 147 (Dec 21, 1942) NARA RG 228, CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

20. Id at 145.

21. Letter from Paul Schmidt to Clifford Forster (March 6, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:123 (cited in note 1).

22. Id.

23. Schoolroom Flags, 9 Clarksburg (W Va) Exponent (Dec 19, 1942).

24. Letter from Paul Schmidt to Clifford Forster (March 6 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:123 (cited in note 1).

25. Id.

26. Letter from H.D. Kline to Bernard Schmidt (Dec 24, 1941), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

27. Letter from Paul Schmidt to Clifford Forster (March 6, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:123 (cited in note 1).

28. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (March 7, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:128 (cited in note 1).

29. Executive Order 8802 (June 25, 1941), The Nat'l Archives & Records Admin, Record Group 11, Gen Records of the U.S.

30. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Bernard G. Walpin (Jan 26, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:108 (cited in note 1).

31. Injunction is Sought Here By ‘Witnesses’, 3 Clarksburg (W Va) Exponent (Jan 23, 1942). Even though Meldahl appeared before Judge Homer A. Strosnider in Harrison Co Circuit Ct on Jan 22, to petition for an injunction, he evidently never filed a formal petition with the court; the files of the circuit clerk contain no record of the petition.

32. ‘Witnesses’ Will Abandon Court Efforts, 2 Clarksburg (W Va) Exponent (Jan 24, 1942).

33. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Bernard Walpin (Jan 26, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:108 (cited in note 1).

34. Letter from Clifford Forster to Paul G. Schmidt (Jan 29, 1943), ACLU Archives 2428:111; and Letter from Clifford Forster to Paul G. Schmidt (Feb 3, 1943), ACLU Archives 2428:114 (cited in note 1).

35. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to president and executive board (Feb 16, 1942); and Letter from J.E. Mayeur to Paul G. Schmidt (Feb 17, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

36. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to J.E. Mayeur (Feb 19, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

37. Union Accountability, Clarksburg (WVa) Telegraph (Feb 17, 1942), clipping is found in Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to J.E. Mayeur (Feb 19, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

38. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to J.E. Mayeur (Feb 19, 1942). Id.

39. Letter from J.E. Mayeur to Paul G. Schmidt (Feb 20, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

40. Letter from J.E. Mayeur to Joseph Robie (March 27, 1942); & Joseph Robie, Memorandum (April 22, 1942), both in id.

41. Exhibit #10, Fred B. Haught, Order (Feb 11, 1942), NARA RG 228 CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

42. CFEP Hrg. Tr. at 145. Id.

43. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (March 7, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:128 (cited in note 1).

44. Affidavit of Paul G. Schmidt & Bernard L. Schmidt (March 13, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

45. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (March 7, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:128 (cited in note 1).

46. Exhibit #11, Memorandum, Daniel R. Donovan to Lawrence W. Cramer, nd, NARA RG 228 CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

47. Quoted in Lawrence W. Cramer to William M. Saas (Dec 5, 1942), 1 W Va & Regional History Collection, W Va U Libraries, A & M 2423, Glass, Ceramic, and Sand Silica Workers Local 2, Records, 1934-1974, Series 1 Corresp, Box 5, Folder 31, Gen Corresp, 1939-44. Hereafter referred to as WVRHC, GC&CSW.

48. Id at 2.

49. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (June 27, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:104 (cited in note 1).

50. Letter from Clifford Forster to Joseph Mayeur (March 23, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:134; Letter from Clifford Forster to Irwin De Shetler, (March 23, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:135; Letter from Irwin De Shetler to Clifford Forster (March 27, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:135; Letter from Joseph Robie to Clifford Forster (March 30, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:137; and Letter from Clifford Forster to Irwin De Shetler (March 31, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:137 (cited in note 1).

51. Accounts of this investigation are found in William Saas to Philip Murray (April 27, 1942), WVRHC, GC&CSW (cited in note 47); Exhibit #11, Memorandum, Daniel R. Donovan to Lawrence W. Cramer, n d, NARA RG 226, CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10); and Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (Aug 13, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:139 (cited in note 1).

52. Exhibit #11, Memorandum, Daniel R. Donovan to Lawrence W. Cramer, n d, 1, CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

53. Id at 4.

54. Id at 2.

55. Id at 4.

56. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (Aug 13, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:139 (cited in note 1).

57. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster Qune 27, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:104 (cited in note 1).

58. Id.

59. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster Qune 27, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:103 (cited in note 1).

60. Report from Paul G. Schmidt to president and executive board (Feb 16, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

61. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (March 6, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:123 (cited in note 1).

62. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (Feb 26, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:120 (cited in note 1).

63. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to J.E. Mayeur (Feb 19, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

64. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Harry D. Nixon (July 7, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

65. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Bernard G. Walpin (Jan 26, 1941), ACLU Archives 2428:108 (cited in note 1).

66. CFEP Hrg. Tr. at 143, NARA RG 228, CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

67. Id at 145.

68. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Bernard G. Walpin (Jan 23, 1941), ACLU Archives 2428:108 (cited in note 1).

69. William J. Whalen, Armageddon Around the Corner: A Report on Jehovah's Witnesses 165 (John Day Company, 1962).

70. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Harry D. Nixon (July 7, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

71. Letter from Harry D. Nixon to Paul G. Schmidt (July 9, 1942), WVRHC Jehovah's Witnesses file (cited in note 4).

72. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (Aug 13, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:139 (cited in note 1).

73. Id.

74. Francis Schmidt, interview by author, Clarksburg, W Va (Sept 12, 1998). Francis Schmidt is the son of Paul Schmidt.

75. Letter from Lawrence W. Cramer to J.E. Mayeur (Aug 19, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witnesses case file (cited in note 4); Letter from Lawrence W. Cramer to Irwin De Shetler (Aug 19, 1942), Gov Exhibit 6, NARA RG 228, CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10); and Letter from Lawrence W. Cramer to Howard L. Halbach (Aug 19, 1942), Nat'l Archives & Records Admin Record Group 228, Comm on Fair Emp Practice, Gen Corresp (Entry 5, 530-53-41-02, Box 53), hereafter referred to as NARA RG 228, CFEP Corresp.

76. Report from George M. Johnson, to Comm Members, Summary of actions taken at Nov 23 meeting of the committee (Nov 24, 1942), Nat'l Archives & Records Admin: Record Group 228, Comm on Fair Emp Practice, Headquarters Records/Office of the Committee (RG 228, Entry 3, 530-53-40-01). Hereafter referred to as NARA RG 228, CFEP Office.

77. Office of War Info, War Manpower Commission, advance release: For Sunday Morning Papers Nov 29, 1942, Nat'l Archives & Records Admin: Record Group 228, Comm on Fair Emp Practice, Headquarters Records/Info & Public Relations Div, press releases, 1941-1945, R Z (Entry 64, 530-53-50-05-box 510).

78. 7 Of Jehovah Sect Ordered Rehired, NY Times 32 (Nov 29, 1942); and Bias Charged in Firings, Business Week 62 (Dec 26, 1942).

79. Agendum (Dec 7, 1942), NARA RG 228, CFEP Office (cited in note 76).

80. Letter from Lawrence W. Cramer to William M. Saas (Dec 5, 1942), WVRHC, GC&CSW (cited in note 47); and Letter from Stanley R. Meredith to J.E. Mayeur (Dec 11, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witness case file (cited in note 4).

81. Letter from Stanley R. Meredith to J.E. Mayeur (Dec 11, 1942).

82. Minutes (Dec 7, 1942), NARA RG 228, CFEP Office (cited in note 76).

83. Letter from J.E. Mayeur to Lawrence W. Cramer (Dec 18, 1942), WVRHC, Jehovah's Witness file (cited in note 4).

84. Rush, James W., The Fair Employment Practice Committee and the Shipyard Hearings of 1943-1944, 29 Prologue: Q Nat'l Archive & Record Admin 279, at 281 (1992)Google Scholar.

85. CFEP Hrg. Tr. at 1, NARA RG 228, CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

86. Brief of Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, 22-44, NARA RG 228, CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

87. CFEP Hrg. Tr. at 17, 23, NARA RG 228, CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

88. Id at 23-142.

89. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (Dec 12, 1942), ACLU Archives 2428:147 (cited in note 1).

90. CFEP Hrg. Tr. at 143-44, NARA RG 228, CFEP Hearing (cited in note 10).

91. Id at 148.

92. Id at 147-48.

93. Id at 160-62.

94. Perkins, Fred W., FEPC Expected To Risk Walkout In Jehovah Case, World Telegram (NY) (12 22, 1942)Google Scholar, clipping, ACLU Archives 2428:157 (cited in note 1); and Sees Walkout If Witnesses Are Employed, 1-2 Clarksburg (WVa) Exponent (Dec 22, 1942).

95. Summary of Action Taken (March 1, 1943) NARA RG 228, Office (cited in note 76).

96. Letter from Lawrence W. Cramer to Leland Hazard (March 5, 1943); and Letter from Lawrence W. Cramer to Leland Hazard (March 15, 1943), both in NARA RG 228, CFEP Gen Corresp (cited in note 75).

97. Letter from Lawrence W. Cramer to Leland Hazard (March 5, 1943), NARA GR 228, CFEP Corresp (cited in note 75).

98. Minutes (March 15, 1943), NARA RG 228, Office (cited in note 76).

99. Letter from William Saas to William Lewis (March 20, 1943), WVRHC, GC&CSW (cited in note 47).

100. W.G. Koupal, Notice of Special Meeting All Union Employees of Works No 12 (March 26, 1943).

101. Jobs Offered To Witnesses, 1 Clarksburg (W Va) Exponent (March 27, 1942); and Witnesses to be Rehired, 99 Business Week (April 10, 1943).

102. Letter from Lawrence W. Cramer to Leland Hazard (April 10, 1943), NARA RG 228, Corresp (cited in note 75).

103. W.G. Koupal, Notice Concerning Jehovah's Witnesses (March 27, 1942), WVRHC, GC&SCW (cited in note 76).

104. Letter from Lawrence W. Cramer to Leland Hazard (April 10, 1043), NARA RG 228, Corresp (cited in note 75).

105. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (April 15, 1943), ACLU Archives 2428:168 (cited in note 1).

106. Letter from Ernest G. Trimble to W.G. Koupal (April 1, 1943), NARA RG 228, Corresp (cited in note 75).

107. Letter from Paul G. Schmidt to Clifford Forster (April 15, 1943), ACLU Archives 2428:168 (cited in note 1).

108. Id.

109. Id.

110. Id.

111. Schmidt interview (Sept 12, 1998) (cited in note 74).

112. For a comprehensive discussion of the legal significance of this case, see Smith, Chuck, War Fever and Religious Fervor: The Firing of Jehovah's Witnesses Glassworkers in West Virginia and Administrative Protection of Religious Liberty, in_44Amer J Legal History (forthcoming 2000)Google Scholar.