The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-05
Would Provide Fine of S10,-
600 and 20 Years Impris-
Onment for Acts of Rev
OlutiOn or Sedition

Washington, january 4.-Unable to
prosecute the so-calicd parler boisbe-
visits, long-haircd men and short-haired
women who encourage agitators and
promote sedition "A pnstimc. Attorney
General PnImer today issued an appeal
to Congress for prompt action on the
bill submitted by him several months
aEo. which would strengthen the hands
of the department of justice i'm dealing
with American citizens considered dam
gerous 10 the nation.
Coming on the heels of the most sue
cessful nation wide raid ever made in
this country on the centers OF radical
propaganda, Mr.. Palmer's statement
was regarded with unusual interest by
representatives and senators here for
the reconvening of Congress tomorrow.
At least one of the men taken in the
raids is a city official, and numerous
others are natives of this country or
have taken out citizenship papers after
long residence. 1t is these Mr.. Palmer
desires to handle through the federal
courts, rather than to leave their pun
ishment to state tribunals and in the
absence of a federal law he is unable
to do so.
LEGISLATION NEEDED
In order that the department. of jus
tice," Mr., Palmer's statement SAN, may
deal forcibly, effectively and quickly
with seditionists who are American cit
liens, but who are seeking to injure or
destroy the government ] hope very
earnestly that Congress, Immediately
upon the reconvening on January 3.
VIII enact into law a measure adequate
to meet the grave situation now con-
fronting us.
There exists no reason for further
delay in the enactment of such law.
and | confidently expect there will be
I, 4
! ished is denied by no loyal citizen and
that our present laws are inadequate is
questioned by none familiar with the
facts.
Several months ago. in appearing
before n Senate committee made clear
, the fact that the department. or Justice
was unable to proceed properly against
/ seditionists because Of lack Of statu-
| tory definition of the crime. and I aiso
suggested the Kind of law which I
thought would meet the situation
''siuec that time the bill I out
lined Inns been introduced in the
House by Representative Daycy OF
Ohio, anu IL nev in In the hands Of
subcommittee, consisting of Rep-
I resentnfives Huested of New York.
Graham of Pennsylvania. and Gard
1 of Ohio. Epitomized, the bill. after
properly defining acts of sedifion.
voud provide for u fine Of not more
] than $4,000 or imprisonment of 20
years. or both, for any person
guilty of scditiOn; fine of not
more than 100000. or imprisonment
of not more than 10 years, or both.
Tor any person guilty OF promoting
seditfon; for the deportation of any
allen convicted of either of the
foregoing crimes, ana for the de-
naturalization nnd subsequent de-
portation of any naturaIizcd citizen ,
guilty of either both of these
crimes.
The eounirN's response to the intro
duction Of this measure leaves no ex-
ctse for single moments unnecessarv
delay in tho rasva~e ~ it
PRESS FAVORABLE
Che iHtfiq Il press " virsoaiy every
state. withop geTard to nantics Aa7 ir-s
dorsed The bin as the kind which must
| be enacted into law If the suuremaog al
our sovernmept is to be msintaiRed Or
sanizatlons Of many classes, including
posts Of the American Legion, have gone
! orgreeord EnQnalifiedly in favor Of the
measure. Indiydn2is have written hun
dreds OF letters Endorsing The bill. In
truth, il has been hailed hy red-hloodcd
Americans as a measure wlth teeth ia
IT. and that is tho kind Of "A measure
| ne department must nave IL il IS going
ton"
u. their plan to bore from within" in
the labor Unions. as disclosed in tie
| manifesto and programme the leaders
| OF the communist and communist labor
parties outlined for their adherents the
programme for melting simultaneously
CONTINUED on porc Tom