Kazimir Benicewich

Born: 1880, Vilna, Russia (present-day Lithuania)
Nationality: Russian
Ethnicity: Lithuanian
Occupation: Tailor
Migration: Immigrated to US c. 1902
Affiliation: Union of Russian Workers

By 1919 he operated his own tailor shop in Baltimore. He joined the IWW around 1914 but left that organization approximately two years later. In 1917 he became a member of Baltimore Branch No. 1 of the Union of Russian Workers and participated in URW affairs at the national level. Arrested in November 1919 during the first wave of federal raids, he was deported on January 20, 1921.

Sources: INS file 54709/419.

Tom Benich

Born: 1895, Slavonia, Austro-Hungarian Empire (present-day Croatia)
Nationality: Austrian
Ethnicity: Croatian
Occupation: Laborer
Migration: Immigrated to US 1912
Affiliation: Communist Party of America

Initially a member of the Socialist Labor Party, he joined South Slavic Branch No. 75 of the Communist Party of America in 1919, later claiming that his purpose in doing so was “to get the members to come over to the Socialist Labor Party.” Arrested in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1920, he declared during interrogation: “I believe that the working men should run this country.” Deported to Yugoslavia on September 1, 1920.

Source: INS file 54811/479; FBI file OG 384859.

Philip Beresko (or Berezka, Borodsky, Berezovsky)

Born: 1896, Grodno, Russia (present-day Belarus)
Nationality: Russian
Ethnicity: Belaruaian
Occupation: Laborer
Migration: Immigrated to US 1913 (via Canada)
Affiliation: Communist Party of America

Employed by the Pullman Coach Company. He joined the Socialist Party in Rockford, Illinois, in 1918 and became a member of the Communist Party of America in November 1919. Arrested during the January 1920 Palmer Raids in Chicago, he stated to investigators: “I do not believe in organized government.” While out on bail in August 1920 he was arrested again, together with Kondrate Serovatke, while posting pro-Soviet placards on telephone poles. He accepted “voluntary departure” to Russia on October 16, 1920.

Sources: INS file 54808/7; FBI files OG 811, OG 386686, and BS 202600-152-1.

Edward Berg

Born: 1880, Sweden
Nationality: Swedish
Ethnicity:
Occupation: Union organizer
Migration: Immigrated to US 1905
Affiliation: IWW

Joined the Industrial Workers of the World in 1906. He worked as a paid organizer and delegate for Lumber Workers Industrial Union No. 500 of the IWW. Arrested in Spokane, Washington, in April 1918, he was deported on November 4, 1918.

Sources: INS file 54379/240.