The Washington times., 1915-01-02
FIND FREE
SPEECH HAS LIMITS
Civic Federation Experts Define
Meaning Of Guaranty in the
Constitution.

That certain restrictions upon speech
do not impair the reasonable freedom
guaranteed by the Constitution is the
conclusion OF a committee OF eminent
lawyers OF the National Civic Fedora
ton that for more than year, has
studied the claims that constitutional
rights were being violated in several
states.
The committee reports that in a num-
Der Of cases that have been studied In
different sections of the country tho
guilty ones have been unable TO dll-
ferentiate between liberty and license,
United States Supreme Court has held
that the safety Of the state and the
preservation of society overshadoWs 8
every consideration OF individual rights.
The occurrences with which the re-
port deals. and which have recently
called public attention to the constitu-
tional right Of free speech, concern the
limitations upon the right which arc
founded In public necessity. and do not
take into consideration the very obvi-
GUS case Of slander. which Is Of private
rather than of public interest.
Right To Use Streets Issue.
Quite a number of cases have arisen
out Of the experiences OF street speak
crs who have found their assumed right
to speak where they pleased was in
conflict with municipal ordinances and
police regulations. They have asserted
That such ordinances were improper and
unconstitutional, and that the right OF
free speech is thereby curtailed. in ex.
press violation of constitutional pro-
visions. That the streets cannot be
| monopolized by public speakers not
only appeals to common sense. but has
been asserted over and over by the
courts.
One of the decisions quoted involved
the case of o man who preached thu
gospel Of Christ. ami another, that o.
a man who preached the gospel o.
socialism. The high courts in reachini
! Identical conclusions were not swayet
! by the character of the utterances undel
review. Some times a suspicion arise
! that the ciamor which ia made ove
free speech is mere pretense to furthe
a special propaganda, says the report
In the San Diego case where the FIRE
| qCent meetings Of the organization
known as the Industrial Workers of tn
! World, in the central part of the city
led the city council 20 pass an ordi
nance forbiddins street speaking within
certain limits in the central districts
J there was ConfesscdiY an attempt e
break down this ordinance by owe,
| ciowdns the city Jail and by imposing
d burden of expense upon the city.
Money Scheme Seen.
! To carry out this purpose an appea
was made to the members and friend
Of the organization throughout tn
country for financial support with whicl
| to carl.y on this 'fghr for free speech.
| It was charged by the Socialists. VIII
were not in sympathy with the
| W. VS.. that the whole campaign wa
a mere scheme to draw money into tn
treasury Of the latter organization.
In political campaigns members of tE
audience frequently seek tp intsrrup
speakers and gain the attention ~ tn
assembly, though such efforts often
times result disastrouSly 10 those VIII
make them. The plea that persons az
deprived of their right OF free speec,
unaer such circumstances, is not tcns
ble. In 1872, at a political meeting hoi
Under auspices OF the Democratic part
ORGANIZATION in Brooklyn, an arden
suftragist attempted to draw th
speaker. Mr.. Wilson. then a candiLat
for the Presidency. into a discussion q
woman's suffrage. He told her that II
vas there 20 discuss national not loCs
Questions: but she insisted, much to th
annoyance Of the audience, which re
suited IN her being elected from tn
meeting, arrested and fined.
On an appeal. her plea that her rislI
OF free spceci had been impaired wa