Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-26

easily construe that il was due to the
utterance of the speaker.
Points to Bible
''On that basis some extremists might
say that even the Bible tends to make
persons do wrong. Human expression
must have some outlet and there is
no better place than at n public meet
ing. where the views are heard by
many. / do not believe the Governor
will sign such bill"
Somewhat similar views were cx-
pressed by Mrs. Edwin G. Grice, of the
Home and School League.
''If you want people to think" she
said, they certainly will not do so If
you will not permit them to talk. A
good many persons do not know how to
think. They start to think when they
begin to talk about subject. Liberty
of discussion should be permitted at all
times. / have found that the people
generally desire to do right.
Opposed to Violence
"Of course one might find a few here
aud there who are looking for trouble,
but they are in very small numbers.
deprecate all kinds of violence, but
there is n difference between that and
honest and sincere criticism.
"The bill goes on to define what shall
be construed as sedition. but who is tc
interpret the wrong thing? Will 1t b
the official at the place where such ut
terance is made? There should be q
little more light on that. | do not be
lieve the Governor will sign the bill"
Senator Joseph I. France, of Mary
land. will be among others who vii
address tonight's mass meeting. 1t vii
be attended by many trade unionists
Messages of protest against the nnti'
sedition bill will be read from Samue
Gompers, president of the American
Federation Of Labor, and others.
The Rev. Norman Thomas. of New
: York. and others will deliver addresses
Most Of the objection of the labo,
representatives against the measure
hinges on the word tends" used fol
lowing the explanation of the wore
sedition.
The mueller reads that "sedition shal
mean any writing. publication, print
kS
either individually or in combination
with any other persons which tends,
etc.
Labor leaders fought to have th
word tends" stricken out of the bill
and the phrase with intent to- in
serted in its place.
John A. Phillips. vice president o
the State Federation of Labor. wa
outspoken in his opposition to the bill.
Can Arrest Anti. Radicals
This bill can be used for the pur
pose of arresting speakers who atten'
gatherings for the Express purpose o
combating the arguments of the ultra
radicals in the labor movement" SAT-
Mr.. Phillips.
necessary is to prove effect. leaving |
to the judge or the prosecutor to plac
the cause"
Representative David Fowler. a la
Dor leader from Lackawanna, took an
other angle.
In districts where foreign language
are spoken. Fowler said, it was ofte,
necessary to have interpreters at labo
meetings.
Suppose" he said, "an interprete
gave the wrong impression of speak
er's remarks. The speaker, in th
event of trouble, would be held re
sponsible. What would any unfai
Judge do in such a case?"
Senator Barr. of Allegheny county
who opposed the bill on the floor of tn
Senate. gave the following reasons fo
his opposition:
"I cannot, after careful study, fin
any reasons why the Flynn sedition bi
should be passed. There are enoug
laws both federal and state to cove
acts of sedition and to bring the perpe
traitors to justice.
Police Powers Have Been Lax
1.-THE trouble is that the judicial an
police powers of the state have not bee
vigorous enough in the enforcement {
the law
Senator Barr declared himself en-
phatically against violence and bolshe
vism and said that such people shoul
r'be deported or executed
Representative W.. Heber Dithricl
of Pittsburgh, leader of the Alleghen
delegation in the House, declared tn
bill to be an unwise piece of legisla
ton.
~ think the existing laws are SUI
ficient," declared Dithrich. 1T seen
to me to be unwise to force this legis
lation during a period of social unre'
and unduly stir up class. of people wh
are inclined to be peaceful"
The entire Allegheny county delega
tions in the Senate and House vote
against the anti sedition bill.