Biography
James F. “Jeff” Burkitt was a magazine salesman and outspoken opponent of Jersey City mayor Frank Hague. He was arrested after attempting to speak in Journal Square on April 16, 1938 and convicted of disorderly conduct on April 23. Burkitt served a six-month sentence at Hudson County Penitentiary in Secaucus. His wife, Claire, protested his treatment in prison. He was released on October 22 and returned to Jersey City, where he again challenged Hague’s restrictions on public speaking.
The June 25, 1938 Socialist Call reports continued service of his six-month sentence with heavy rockpile labor despite ill health. It says the state Supreme Court refused review and quotes defense counsel Samuel Rothbard alleging trial and reviewing court bias. Rothbard announced a federal-court release action; that proposed remedy is not completed release. Source: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/socialist-call/call%204-25.pdf#page=2
