Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-24

4
their freedom.
By S'cr Correspondent
Harrisburg. June "a. - Pennsyl-
vania's workers will test the con
stitutionality OF the suti srditicr bill,
if it becomes law.
James H. Maurer president 0f the
Pennsylvania State Federation Of
Labor, today authorized the statement
that his organization will Immediately
take the hill into court In an effort
10 prove that It violates the basic rights
Of citizens.
The bill was rushed through the
House last night. and within fifteen
minutes had passed first reading in the
Senate. Mr.. Maurer said today he
thought there vas no doubt that it
would be passed by the upper body.
Governor Sproui has led In the agita-
tion for the passage of the bill. and it
is considered certain that he will
sign it.
GOmpers At Shore
It Is believed unlikely that Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Federation OF Labor, will come TO Har-
risburg to oppose the bill. Mr.
Gompers Is at Atlantic City. winding
up the convention affairs of the A. F.
Of L., and could not easily come to
Harrisburg at this time.
ut would be useless anyhow. I am
afraid. said MIR. Maurer today. dis
russing the possibility of Mr.. Gomners
making the trip in a last attempt to
defeat the bill.
Under the rules Of the Legislature
be would not be permitted to speak,
unless the legislative body went into
committee of the whole for the express
purpose Of hearing him. and this is un-
likely"
Mr.. Maurcr condemned the anti sedi-
ton bill in strong terms. He also
charged that the administration has
lobbied constantly during the last week
for the passage Of the Measure and
that the efforts of Governor Sproul and
his cabinet had been backed up BY the
manufacturing interests Of the state.
Expects 1t to Pass
II believe the bill is going through ."
said MT. Maurer. The question now
is how to make test case Of it. I
am convinced that the bill is uncon
stitutional. believe it is defective
technically; likewise l believe it il IN
constitutional because it violates the in
herent rights Of free speech and a free
press. If the bill is passed it will be
sedition to criticize the acts Of public
officials. because such criticism will
hold them up to contempt.
Measure Is Assaied
The bill could not be more vicious
They say it is for the purpose Of curb
ing bolshevism and radicalsm. These
are the very evils they are going to
create By the passage of such legisls
ton When men are not allowed 70
speak their minds openly they speak
them under cover.
They are trying to infict on Penn
sylvanis the system tried and found
wanting in Russia These men are in
incapable of learning from history. The
present Legislature is the most rpac-
tionary in the last fifty years"
Labor's fight on the anti -seditioD bill
which began IN the House last night
continued until this morning, when the
administration forces succeeded in put
ting the bill through the House finally
by vote Of 107 for and 81 against
1t was the most memorable battle OF
the session. At one period Of the bitter
debate the House threatened to dissolve
into riot.
The turbulent scnne followed the rol
rall on the motion to reconsider tbs
vote By which the bill was defeated last
week. Speaker Spsngler ordered tbs
roll call on the final passage Of the bill
to follow Immediately.
Led by Representatives Fowler. Of
Lackawanna Helt, Of northumberland
and Phillips, of Clearfield the oppo
nents Of the bill put up vigorous OBJ
lection. they refused TO permit the
clerks to proceed with the roll call.
Point ot Order Denied
Mr.. Phillips acrose on a point ot
order and declared the bill to hp un-
constitutional. His point was not sus-
= tained by the speaker.
. John r. K. Scott. Of Phtladelpbia
D raised the point Of order that the pro
ceediDgs were not in order. Th,
speaker sustained his contention. Nor,
disorder followed on the part Of mem
hers Of the House who shouted for rec,
ognition.
Mr.. Ramsey, Of Delaware. fnall,
brought order out of chaos. He aros
on a point of personal privilege ant
asked the House to be men" At frs
1t appeared as though he would b
shouted down. but he finally managed t.
convince the House that an orderly dis
eussion Of the bill should be taken u
so that other important measures coul
be considered and the calendar cleared
When Mr. Ramsey finished the Hous
quickly adopted a motion to permit tn
debate on the bill to go on.
The bill lacked three votes of a con
stitutionel majority when it came IL
for final passage last week, polling 10
votes.