IWCF 38 The Flames Burned Red

I was a Communist for the FBI, starring Dana Andrews and an exciting tale of danger and espionage. I was a Communist for the FBI. Many of the incidents and the story you're about to hear are based on the actual records and authentic experiences of Metsavetic two. For nine fantastic years lived as a communist for the FBI. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matsavetic. I spent nine years in a prison, a prison of ideas, and nine years is a long time to be barred from all normal contact with your fellow Americans. I watched you work and playing, building a better life for your family and yourself, serenely unconscious of the jailer in your midst, the jailer who held me. The jailer called communism. That jailer will get you. Too, mister, if you commit one crime, the crime of lethargy, the crime of refusing to recognize and take appropriate action against the danger surrounding you, It's the danger of communism. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Max Sabbatic undercover man. Now Here is Dana Andrews as Matt Semitic undercoverman. This story from the confidential file is marked the Flames Burned Red. The communist for the FBI finds life full of surprises, most of them are unpleasant. I get one of them when I return to my room after seeing a movie. As I closed the door behind me and switch on the light, I see a piece of paper lying on the floor. I pick up the note that obviously. Has been pushed under the door and read prepare to leave town for several days. It's signed with the initial M and a comrade named Morgan is my cell leader. Hurriedly, so that I can get away before anyone calls for me, I throw a few things into my. Bag and go out to phone the FBI. Hello, Carter speaking, Well, this is the outside man you saw this afternoon. I'm calling from a phone booth. Go ahead, I know. I just found out that I'm leaving town for a few days. Where are you going? I couldn't even guess. No one's talked to me. When I got home a short time ago, I found a note had been shoved under my door. What did it say? Exactly, prepare to leave town for several days. Nothing else. No, it doesn't sound exactly routine? Does it not? When I put it in a note and they don't have to put anything in writing. That automatically marks it urgent. I'm calling now because I may not get another chance before I leave. If you don't cause the son as you rich your destination. I will if I can. I better get back to my room. Good luck, thanks, h I mean, oh, come in? You were going to bad comrade? Yes, Comrade Morgan, it was getting so late. I thought the plans must have been changed. They were not, Comrade Sabbtic. Comrade Sabbtic, this is Comrade Raymer. How do you do? Comrade? How do you do? Comrade Rayma has had considerable success in certain mining areas, is now investigating party possibilities in lumbering districts? Do you talk too much without saying anything? Morgan? I was simply giving him your background. My background's no concern of his. All he needs to know is that he's under my orders, not Justice City. Orders came from New York. Comrade Sabetic, I see they will still be my orders. I understand that. Comrade Rhymer, and I understand how to take orders. Good. Then we'll get along. Of course we will. Now where do we go and what do we do? I'm sorry, but a project of this type and importance must be kept secret in its details. I'll tell you all you need to know as the situation's right. And when do we leave? Comment rymer immediately. I have a car. We can take turns driving. I want to be at our destination by noon tomorrow. This is the car. Huh. Get in on this side and throw your gear in the back. I'll take the first trick at the wheel. Okay. The town we're heading for is Arden. That's right in the middle of the big wood, isn't it it is? Now, well, what are we going to do? Move the town or remove the woods? You'll know the answer to that before you get home. That gives me something to look forward to. And I'm very enthusiastic about this project. How are you coming? I'm not enthusiastic about being treated like an idiot child. I like to know what I'm trying to do, and if something goes wrong, I can try and straighten it out. Nothing's going to go wrong in this project. If there is a slip up, I'll straighten it out. Okay, I'll tell you this much. A mission in Ardent is a test. If we're successful, we'll have set a pattern for completely disrupting the laboring communities of the entire country, with no possibility of any plane being charged against the party. You say, if we're successful, where's our possibility of failure greatest? That, Comrade, is something I'll keep to myself. Okay, you're the boss. That's right, comrade, And if this works out as I believe it will, I'll be a much bigger boss in the future. I didn't like Rhymer when I first met him. Now I'm afraid of him because he's more than just a red fanatic. He's an ambitious gangster who wants to be a big boss. I'm driving when we reach Arden and Rhymer directs me to stop at a little white house on the highway at the. Edge of town. It's a good spot for a getaway, savetic just in case. Sounds as though you expect serious trouble. There's always a good chance of it in this kind of an operation. Someone's coming out of the house. That's Joe Crens. He's been working in the wood screw laying the brownwood. He's a big ape, isn't he. I call him Gorilla Joe, it's Fitts. Are we getting out of the car? I am. You're driving on into town. Well, I just wait for it, because I'm staying here out of sight, and you're staying in town at the hotel. Oh, I'm getting here just in time. Things will bust wide open with just one little puss. Save it, Joe. Huh, this man's going on into town. You can talk later. H Okay, boss, Now, where's your baggage in. The back seat. The brown bag belongs to Saevetic here, leave it in the car. Okay, let's get moving. I got a lot to tell you. Go into the house and wait for me. I have to get Savedtic is instruction all right? And he comments, Sevedic, just give me my orders. That's what I like to hear. I can see that, and we won't have any trouble if we do. Joe likes to handle troublemakers. Is that a threat? Oh no, just. A reminder that you're a long way from party headquarters and that up here, I give orders the way I like to give them, and you take him whether you'll like him or not. What do I do? Drive into Arden? It's less than a half mile, but the timber hides it. Check into the Commercial House hotel and make friends with Jed Wade. Well, I find him, he owns and operates the hotel. What do I do after that? Handle the propaganda end of this operation through Wade? Is he a party member? No, just the local gossip and rumormonger. You'll pass along to him anything I want for local people to believe. It's as much as you need to know at this time. I'll see you later when when I have something more for you to do, I'll let you know. So don't try to get in touch with me. I'm not anxious to be identified with this operation publicly. I'll get going, okay, hol On. As I leave Rhymer and Crime, I congratulate myself on the way things are breaking for me. Being under orders to stay away from them gives me plenty of opportunity to check into what's happening and phone the information to the FBI without worrying about being caught. At least that's what I think, because I drive. Into Arden and check into the Commercial House. Then after coming down from my room, I fought with Jed Wade, and I'm staying long as this very I'm not sure, yet must the wade? Uhh, yeah, too bad you didn't come it some other time. This is usually a pretty nice and peaceful little town. You say, usually nice and peaceful? Is it different now? Well? Nothing's broken to open yet man, But there's trouble, bruant and big trouble. What kind of trouble between the woods crew and the owner? Oh, he can't understand it either. They've always been the best of friends till lately. There must be something behind it. He don't know what it could be. Haystops company furnishes, good housers company store charge the same price as the city chain stores. Has there been any trouble in the Woods, serious accidents or fires? No? They man have been grumbling about their equipment. Just the other day I heard Joe Kranz beefing. He was saying that one of these days men have been getting hurt, may be killed because they haven't to work with worn out equipment. Who thing that? Joe Krantz. He hasn't been here long, just a whistle punk, But ever since he beat up the Foremant, he's been. Bull of the woods. A lot of the new men jump whichever way he points that. It's what. Oh, nothing, he says, talking to myself. Where's the nearest phone right here behind the desk? No, I mean phone booth. Well there isn't a phone booth, hard missus veddick? Oh well, uh? Where can I make a phone call and have some privacy? You're too far out to be able to afford private phones and have five party line is the most privacy you'll find in Arden. Oh, I think I'll ride instead of phoning. Thanks anyway, say hey. Yeah, I just remember hearing someone say there is a private phone out at Joe Krantz house. It's out the edge of town. Just take the roads you're coming on to. No, no thanks, I'll uh, I'll write now back to Day Andrews starring as Matisimatic, and I was a communist or the FBI, and the second act of our story. Only one single party form in town and. Back in Joe Kranz's house, hardly the place from which to phone the FBI. So I wrote a report giving all the. Information I had and urgently requesting that an agent or agents be sent to Arden. Then there was nothing to do but wait for events to develop. The Next afternoon, as I was walking down Arden's short Main Street. Joe Kranz passed me without even looking at me, but as he passed he muttered. The boss wants to see you to life. So after dog I drove out to Kranz's house to see camera Ry divorced. Yet come in, Savettic. Come on, hurry up, sort and close the door. Bosses in the other room, go ahead, as you find it. Nice to coment Savettic. I understand that you and Jed Wade are already cronies. We talk good. I have something for you to say to him. Go ahead, when you get back to the hotel, tell Waye that you heard on good authority that the lumber company has been buying condemned equipment. Do I give him a reason for their buying it? Certainly they're doing it to save money at the expense of their workers. I want that story all over town by tomorrow morning, out of my part. Oh, by the way, y, don't write any more letters while we're up here. What do you mean, maybe nothing. I'm just taking no chances. If you have to get in touch with someone at home, come here at night and use the phone. Thanks, it's the only single party folding towns. But then you know that, don't you, Comrade Saveti. Sure dead Way told me. I know he told everybody in town about the guy who wrote letters rather than use the party line. Thanks. I'll remember that, Sure, also remember no more letters. I'm trapped good, this time in a town the size of Arden, Comrade Rymer, whom Joe Kranz can check on anything they do or say. And I've just had proof that he's doing exactly that. But when I get back to the hotel, I tell my story and tell it good. The next morning, just as Rymer ordered, the whole town is talking about the company using condemned equipment. That afternoon, the story gets its proof in the woods. You are absolutely right, mister Savetti, and the men are feel grateful to you, grateful for what. Well, because of your warning, they were watching for trouble, so nobody got hurt. What happened The overhead drags table parted and dropped the log weighing tons completely demolishable. Thozer that Joe Klans was operating right under it, but Joe didn't get hurt. Now. As a matter of fact, Brown said Joe was watching the table as though he expected it to part well anyway, that accident sure made believers out of the few people who refuse to pay attention to me. Could be a coincidence, of course, a few of the die hires are still saying that. I suppose it'll take a couple more accidents to convince them. Yeah, the men, especially the women I talked to, want their men to quit right now. That's good news, Comrade Sethetic. Everything's going exactly the way I planned it. Good. Is there anything in particular that you'd like to have me mention in my report? Report? What report? I always make out a daily report when I'm on a special mission, comrade, that goes direct to the Center for Committee. Oh was it the report that you mailed the first night, Yes, Colin, my next one includes the information. But you, as project leader, ordered me to make no more report. I didn't say anything like that. You told me to mail no more letters. I didn't know they were reports for the Central Committee. Am I free to resume making those reports? Certainly? What's your next order? Go back to the hotel and keep Wade talking. Friends is working on the men, and if Wade can keep the women worked up, we ought to have a strike by tomorrow night. Tomorrow's accident should be the clinching What kind of accident you'll know when the men walk out of the woods, and remember, no matter what happens when you're talking to Wade, blame the bosses. Don't make sense, mister Sebdik. Why should the owners want to destroy equipment and take a chance in injuring men? According to the story I heard, strictly a case of saving money. These men have built up a lot of seniority, and a new crew would cost a lot less. I just can't believe that men would do such things for money, mister Savedic. I wish the owners was here. I could talk to them. I get to the bottom this, I'll bet you. Where are the owners hop in Alaska? Looking at some timber? Hey, that's probably it. What's probably what they took care of Superintendent A couple of the foremen with him. These new bosses they left here are probably trying to make a record for themselves. And I'm going to talk to that new super The owners should hear about this. Why didn't you talk him out of it? Sabetic? How could I without exposing myself? But you too, I suppose you're right? Well, this means we're going to have to bring everything to a head right. Now, Joe, come in here. What's time by get into town and lead the men down to the company offices and start trouble. What kind of trouble A hot. Argument, a riot, any kind of trouble that will force the men to quitter, the bosses to fire them. Yeah, k boss, I'm on my way. There'll be trouble and sign an hour. Now. Joe's doing what he likes best, taking a fight with the bosses. What happens after the fight the men quit or get fired, and I move in an entirely new crew of party members. By tomorrow morning, we'll control this timber and it won't be of much value to the warmongers. Yeah, we can shut it down tight whenever we want to. We're going to do better than that, Comrade Sevetic. We're going to burn it to the ground, and the old crew is going to be blamed for that fire. Before I leave to go back to the hotel, Joe Kranz has returned with the news that the workers are separated from their jobs, and Rymer has put in a call ordering his crew of red to arrive in Arden the next morning. When I drive back to the hotel. A man steps out into my head light's beam and signals me to stop. I step on the gas to get past him. Then I recognize Carter, my FBI conduct. I slam on the brakes and stop, and he runs over to the car. I give him what information I had warned him that he'd better arrest Rhymer and Crowns before anything more serious happens. But Carter doesn't agree. I can't do it, man. But Carter, under the rules of evidence matter, smart lawyer can have everything you've told me barred from the record is hearsay, and he. Couldn't bar from the record the fact that Rhymer is a known communist with a background of labor disruptions in mining areas. Probably not. But could you prove that he's here? Has anyone seen Rhymer except you in jail? Crans? Yes? Nor Our best chance to break the case is to watch the arsonists in the act of setting fire to the woods. If you can find out when and where that'll take place, I think we can put Rhymer and Krantz away for a long time. Nothing in that line will happen before tomorrow. Because Rhymer's new red crew won't get here before morning, and. Get back to your hotel. Go to work on it first thing in the morning till I report to you. Right here, I have a pair of field glasses. If I see anyone in the car where you'll. Stay out of sight. That won't give you any information. If you know where the fire is going to be set, stop here and check your tires. I'll follow you right okay, see tomar. I'm driving out to sea Rhymer the next morning when Carter steps out into the road again to give me some encouraging news. He's been in touch with the Bureau through his two way car radio and a group of agents will arrive in Arden that night. Meanwhile, that they can do it without arousing Crowns's suspicions. He's going to try to talk the old Woods crew into a calmer mood. It's news that makes me feel a lot better as I finish my drive to meet Rhymer. Put that good feeling in when I see. The boss, Well, everything. Is set, Comrade Sathetic When do things start to happen? At one o'clock this afternoon, Comrade Crans will lead the local crew into battle against our new crew. While most of the men from town are engage in fighting. The timber will begin to blaze all this at one o'clock, right, and in that case, I'd better go back to the hotel and. Get my thing. No, Comrade Seveetic, that will never do. Why not, but for one thing? It might call attention to the fact that you arrived in town just as the labor dispute became serious, and left just as it reached its climax. I'll take that chance, Commer. You undoubted the wood savetic, but I won't. What do you mean, I don't believe in taking chances. You are going to set the fire. Twelve noon, Rhymer and I leave the house to set the fire that will destroy the most important stand of timber in the stake. Rhymer's plan is to force me to set the fire so that there will be no evidence against him whatsoever. I have no chance to communicate with or even signal caught her the fbiye agent, because Rymer directs me to. Drive down a different road. At twelve thirty we stopped in the middle of the timber at a spot far removed from where. The men have to be fighting. What do you think of this spot? Commet Sevetic. Well, it's far enough away from where the men will be fighting to keep them from being burned without warning. I didn't pick this place to save the men. I picked it because it's so remote. By the time they can break off their fighting and get over here, the fire will be beyond control. You've overlooked nothing, and you're planning, comrade Rymer nothing. I'll show you where to set the fires up of the wind will carry it away from us. By the time it's dangerous, we'll be miles along the road. But if we pick up crime, I'm afraid we don't in this operation. Poor Joe must be counted as an expendable I see, Oh, what plans have you made for ash to the why? It's Cran's. Something must have gone wrong. Get out of the car and start the fire. Hadn't we better wait until we find out what happened to get out of the car and start the fire. Okay, I'm I'm glad to see you. What happened? Crans? What are you doing here? I came to warn your rhymer. Someone got to the men waiter. Someone talked him out of fighting. They're having a meeting with the bosses this afternoon. You should have stopped them all. I'd tried to boss, but they turned on me, even the guys who had been on my side. In fact, they. Rammed me out of two to let them out here out. I thought, I told you to get that fire started, so I'll show you did. But you didn't tell me how to do it. And setting timber fires is a little out of my line. I thought you were intelligent. Get those kends of all out in the back of the car. Help them cranks, they're a right idiots. Get out of each other's ways. Get back forth, the younger one. This stuff's dry. Boss. Once you're lighter, it'll go awful fast. I know that. I'll see if you too can get in the car without pulling all over each other. As soon as I spread the oil and lighter will be on our way. Stop at rhymer. Fright for its a bad Don't worry about the man in the car. Boys, I got the license on. Concentrate on the two in the woods. And be carefully. You're not trapped by fire. Well, Maddie, you're beginning to relax. I guess so. Well, it's a closed chapter. Now, where'd you get Rhymer in car Box Canyon, about six hundred feet from where we jumped him, packed themselves. Huh yeah, tracked themselves. The smoke got turned before we did. Knowing what Rhymer had planned for the others, I didn't feel sorry for him, but my attitude toward Frans was different. Raymer was a man of intelligence, a deliberate plotter against his fellow Americans. Frans was the stupid follower of the faith. He could never understand. Those are the communists, the plotting, self seeking leaders, and the unthinking followers. Since I was neither, I was forced to walk alone. Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews. A Cold War isn't very dramatic. No bands will play when you pay your taxes to help pay for fighting this Cold War. But you will get your reward when the war is won, the reward of continuing freedom. Although to protect innocent persons, the names, places and dates are fictitious, the danger is terribly realed. Next week we'll bring you another Fain's adventure based on the phantom Hastick experiences of Matt SVETI join it won't do H