Evening star., 1920-02-06
CONFLICT IN VIEWS
AS TO DANGER Of
RADICALS TOU.S s.
"Mere Talk" and "Reds
Active" House Judiciary
Committee Is Told.

Conflicting views as to the danger
to the United States from radicals
now in this country were presented
today to the House judiciary COM
n1ittee considering anti-sedition leg
is1ation.
Francis H F. Kane, former federal
district attorney at Philadelphia. who
resigned recently because he was not
in sympathy with Attorney General
Palmer's campaign against the
reds" told the committee that much
of the agitation about boEshevism
in America was mere talk
Newt~n Sees Great Danger.
Attorney General Charles u. New
ton of New York disagreed with this
view, declaring that thousands of
radicals, backed by radical press.
ary overthrow of the government and
the establishment of a dictatorship. Z
Mr.. Kane denied there has been any
real attempt to overthrow the govern
ment by force.
Deported radicals were never arm
ed, few bomb outrages have occurred,
MIR. Kane said. adding that the amend
ment permitting free speech and free
press should be held inviolate.
Much Of the present bolshevism is
mere talk" he said
Most of what we see in newspapers
regarding this menace in this country
is mere bunk /, for one cannot take
the feeling of bolshevism seriously"
Kane said.
Changes in industrial relations are
inevitable. but will take place gradu-
ally, he added
AS long as Americans remain true
to their traditions of liberty and re-
solve not TO repress the freedom of
discussion of political and economic
questions. We need have no fear of
revolution
Opposes Drastic Sedition Law.
"A drastic sedition law in peace
time breeds suspicion against honest,
Aw-abiding citizens" he continued.
But let us beware how we continue
such laws unnecessarily in time of
peace. when it is to the interest of
the public that individual opinions
should be expressed in regard to the
administration of our government"
Mr.. Kane told the committee he did
not believe there is a conspiracy afoot
to capture the government by force.
States. and that we are a nation of
loo, 100000 people, it seems to me there
have been extremely few outrages
committed since the armistice.
Representative Johnson, republican.
Washington, told the committee a
stiff law" was needed.
IF we deport all aliens and radicals
who preach violence and punish all
citizens who follow and support their
activities We need not fear further
disturbances" he said.
Newton Tells Of Radicals.
Approximately 100000 radicals in
New York city alone are organized
to overthrow all capitalistic gov
ernments, Mr. Newton said. The bet
ter element Of organized labor and
the Catholic Church. he declared.
have been the two leading factors
in suppressing these revolutionary
activities.
Tons Of radical literature have been
distributed over New York state and
have been seized by government au-
thorities. he testified.
The laws for furnishing these rad
icals must not be very effective" said
Representative Igoe, democrat, Mis-
souri,.
There is need for additional legis-
lation to reach those against whom
there is no existing statute" New
ton replied.
Asked by Representative Gard.
democrat. Ohio. how these revolu-
tionary tendencies could be met, the
witness said. an educational cam
paign should be inaugurated.
Representatives of these radicals
meet school children with primers
teaching bolshevism and the over
throw of the government. They
country"
Conviction of leaders only make
them martyrs in the eyes of their
followers Newton said, opposing the
suggestion of Wholesale arrests"
Deportations and threatened depor-
tations would aid in the solution of
the problem.