Grand Jury to Investigate Ala. Lynching

Tuscaloosa, Ala., Aug. 14- (UP)- A grand jury will be summoned today to investigate the lynching of two young negroes charged with murdering a white girl. While the International Labor Defense , whose attorneys were threatened with lynching and forbidden from serving as the negroes’ counsel, charged local officials with responsibility for the lynching. Judge Henry B. Foster said he would order a “sincere and thorough investigation.” Three negroes, Dan Pippen Jr., 18: A.T. Harden, 16 and Elmore Clark, 28, all charged with murdering Vaudine Maddox, 18, were taken from deputy sheriffs who were removing them to Birmingham for protection. The bodies of Pippen and Harden were found beside the highway early Sunday, riddled with bullets. Clark was not found and authorities thought the mob had told him to leave the state. The negroes were handcuffed together when taken by the mob. The handcuff held Clark to Pippen had been unlocked. Pippen and Harden still were handcuffed together when found. Judge Foster blamed the International Labor Defense for the lynching. He said local feeling was stirred by reports the organization would make another effort t have its attorneys defend the negroes. Officials had knowledge a group of citizens were determined to keep “this case from becoming another Scottsboro affair” he said.