Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-01-12
STRINGENT LAWS
AGAINST REDS To
Be PASSED SOON
House Measure Provides Death
Penalty for Those Whose
Teachings Result in Taking
of Human Life.
LAY MORNING. JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wrssl


Washington. Jan. 1l.-Speedy en-
action of a stringent sedition bill by
congress was presaged today when
following passage yesterday in the
senate of the Sterling bill announce
ment was made that the house judi
ciafy committee had agreed upon
similar measure and probably would
report it tomorrow. One of the pur-
poses of the bin was said to be erad-
ication of "parlor BolsheViks."
The house measure. a combination
of Attorney General Palmer's original
bill, introduced by Representative
Devy of Ohio, and revisions made by
Representative Graham of Pennsyl-
vania contains extremely stringent
penalties for violations of the law. In
cluded is the death penalty which the
law will have the power of inflicting
on the recommendation of a jury on
persons whose activities would lead to
destruction of life.
The measures also close the mails
and express companies to seditious
literature; prohibit the exhibition of
red flag in connection with mass
meetings, deny persons the right to
refuse to give testimony on the ground
that it might tend to incriminate them
and provide in certain cases for dis
enfranchisement and deportations.
Provides Death Penalty.
The section of the measure which
provides for the death penalty fol-
lows;
THAT whoever incites. sets on foot,
assists or engages in any insurreetion
or rebellion against the United States
or the authority or laws thereof. a
whoever sets on foot or assists or en-
cages in the use of force or violence
with intent to destroy or cause to be
destroyed or change or cause to be
or to overthrow or cause to
he overthrown the government of the
United States and the death of any
person or persons is caused or re-
suits directly therefrom, shall be
guilty of a felony and on conviction
shall be punished by death, or shall
be imprisoned not more than twenty
years or fined not more than $4,000
or both, and shall forever be barred
from holding office under the United
States; provided, however that the
death penalty shall not be imposed
unless recommended in the verdict of
the jury"
Other sections of the measure
would prohibit any person using any
writing. printing or any sign. SYM
bol, picture or caricature with the
purpose of resisting or destroying the
government of the United States or
the governments of the several states,
the distribution, writing, printing,
or transporting of sedi-
t.ous matter, the importation or trans
portation between states of seditous
Against Seditious Organizations.
Measures to combat seditious or
CARNATIONS also are included. All
such organizations teaching the use
of force against the government are
declared to be unlawful and persons
would be prohibited from engaging
in their activities, contributing money
to them or even renting them prop
crty in which to carry on their work
The giving, loaning or promising any,
thing of value" to such organizations
is declared to constitute affiliation
with such associations.
Aliens convicted under the act
would be deported after serving their
and prohibited TO return to
the country, and persons who have
declared their intention to become
citizens who has not been naturalized,
would become ineligible to citizenship.
Conviction of citizens under all sech
tions except that providing the death
penalty would carry Imprisonment for
more than twenty years, or a fine of
not more than $4,000 or both, and in
addition the convicted person wouldv
he debarred from ever holding office
of trust in the United States.