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BROOKLINE, MA The following letter to the editor was submitted by Brookline Town Meeting member Len Wholey.

Dear Reader,

On Saturday July 8th, 1933, men from the Brookline Board of Selectmen and the Park Commission played the first round of golf at the new Brookline Municipal golf course. Selectman Philip Bowker, one of the proponents of creating a municipal golf course, served as the referee.

In a 1941 Brookline Chronicle interview with Bowker, now a State Representative, the article noted that he could be called the son of Brookline for his long lineage of family in the town (his father was a selectman and school committee member, and Philip grew up at the Griggs farmhouse across the street from the then named Devotion School). The article states he loved politics and hoped to get into national affairs because the battle and strife would in proportion be bigger. Success in politics, he said, doesnt just happen accidentally. It is a science like big business, and you cant fool the people about politics today.

Also in 1941 Bowker gave a radio talk titled The Enemy Within. The Brookline Chronicle paraphrased his comments with There must be no wild hysteria, we have had too much of that; a sane, constant calmness must be maintained... But let none of us rush wildly about, tearing our hair, screaming invectives against any race or creed. America must ever stand for tolerance. But it must also stand for stout, stalwart defense of everything it believes right and sound.

On October 2, 1952, now State Senator Bowker wrote in a Brookline Chronicle article The question of how far to make use of Senator Joseph P. McCarthy of Wisconsin in the Massachusetts area poses a question for the Bay State GOP high command. There is very great anti-communist feeling in this Commonwealth and the Democratic Convention is about to open an all-out drive against the Reds and have even gone to the extent of backing a new probe of red activities. So now the GOP must tee off in the same direction. Thus, use of McCarthys speech making powers around here may be considerable. Bowker also noted later that month after referring to a national draft, When you... then read in the press about professors aiding the Reds and getting mixed up in subversive adfairs [sic], it should make your blood boil. All the more need of something being done to curb communistic activity right here on the home front.

In 1953, twenty years after serving as referee at the golf course opening, State Senator Bowker would now decide who would be publicly branded a communist and a subversive in Massachusetts. Bowker was the chair of the Special Commission Established to Make An Investigation and Study of Communism and Subversive Activities - commonly known as the Bowker Commission. Despite Senator Joseph McCarthys censure by the U.S. Senate on December 2, 1954, State Senator Bowker doubled down on McCarthyism. In 1955, the Bowker Commission published the names and biographical details of 85 people suspected of being involved in the Community Party.[6] The Boston Globe published the names on June 9, 1955, and Senator Bowker successfully argued on the Senate floor to have 2000 copies of the report printed for distribution. Of the 85 people named, some lost their jobs and others suffered professional or business losses as a result.

One of the people named was Marcus Mark Mordecai Alper. Alper graduated from BrooklineHigh School, graduated from Brown University in 1933, fought fascism in the Spanish Civil War, and served in the Army Air Corps during WWII flying 35 combat missions as a tailgunner in a B-24. Marcus Alpers son Joshua said that accusations against his father and other family members and friends had a profound effect on our family, it made our parents tense and anxious to an extreme degree. Their family was unable to obtain passports for travel outside of the United States until after John F. Kennedy became President. Joshua Alper recalled an occasion in his early childhood when an FBI agent came to their house asking to speak to Jeannette, Marcus wife. When the agent confirmed that he did not have a warrant, Mrs. Alper slammed the door in the agents face. Upon receiving a Summons to appear before the United States Senate Internal Security Sub-Committee, Marcus Alper prepared a statement which begins I have always considered myself a loyal and patriotic citizen, I still do. (see complete statement below)

During Bowkers 1958 run for State Senator reelection, his campaign appears to have left out mentioning his work on the Bowker Commission outing communists and subversives. Nevertheless, he suffered a loss to democrat Peter McCormak, exited politics, moved to Florida in 1960, and died in Norway in 1966 at the age of 67.

In 1967, the Brookline Park and Recreation named the Brookline Municipal golf courses clubhouse after the late Philip Bowker, noting his service as former M.D.C. commissioner, state senator, town selectman and moderator in Brookline. Did the Brookline Park and Recreation consider his actions while leading the Bowker Commission and the negative impact on the lives of those named?

name of the clubhouse? Perhaps one of the following people could be honored instead:

Town Meeting Member, Precinct 11

STATEMENT OF MARCUS ALPER, NEWTON, MASS. May 7, 1953

I have always considered myself a loyal and patriotic citizen. I still do.

I am married, and the father of three children. I volunteered to serve my country during the past war, and flew 35 missions over Germany as a tail gunner on a B-24. I was awarded the air medal with 5 oak leaf clusters.

Recent experience has shown that witnesses called under circumstances similar to this suffer much public misunderstanding and often expose themselves, however innocent, to the very real threat of subsequent prosecution. In addition, in these tense days, ones children, family, friends and associates likewise become hurt. Therefore, I find it necessary to invoke the Fifth Amendment.

I know there is some public confusion about the Fifth Amendment. However, as I understand it, it became a part of our law in order to enable all witnesses to avoid giving testimony about themselves and those with whom they may have been associated.

Moreover, I am sure that the committee agrees that the constitution including the Bill of Rights was adopted for the protection of all of us. It teaches us that all Americans may hold inviolate their opinions and beliefs. Any intrusion in this area seems to me not only to violate the constitution but at the same time to involve some loss of human dignity. I have always strongly believed that the First Amendment to our Federal Constitution is an important feature of our way of life, and where appropriate I rely on it also.

I believe conscience and decency require no less. I hope my fellow citizens will understand.

The rest is here:
Letter To The Editor: Philip Bowker, Brookline Politician and Referee - Patch