The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1920-01-30
Would Violate The Constitution
And Rob The Entire American
Public Of Free Government

Passing over Sections i to 4, be-
cause they are covered by the exist
ing penal code, let Us refer to Attor-
ney General Palmer's contention that
new laws are necessary to reach the
individual who advocates opposition
to the government by violence, then
what is the meaning of Section 4 Of
penal code, which reads;
WHOEVER INCITES. sets on
foot, assists, or engages in any revo-
luton or insurrection against the
authority Of the United States, or the
laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort
thereto, shall be imprisoned not more
than 10 years, or fined not more than
$4,000 or both
IL revolution is afoot, why has not
the department Of Justice made pros
ecutions under that section?
Section Of the bin, unbelievable
as it may seem, may be easily con-
strued 10 mean, ii indeed ii does net
make it, i crime, 10 vague and inyolv-
Jed is the termnology, 10 wear III pub-
lie any button Of an organization
whose purpose it is to secure an
amendment to the constitution Of the
United States OF aay existing fed
eral law
section & narnet,,ats. ~ no,se,., j
of tba nostn,asto,. ao,or.l ,,.ar .i4
ne,ysnanars and ncinto3 ,,a+tar ~
so-called Borah amendment proyjd-
inc court review If the postmaster
generals action. Il sound "a principle
but is Inadequate to afford protection
as a practical matter to 4 publisher
against the autocratie action of the
postmaster general. More amazing
stin. the proyiso sets up a censorship
over any mans private correspondence
bv the postmaster general. Ii would
be criminal. for example. for a man
to send a letter advocating resist
ance to am Injunction issued by a fed
eral iudee ordering workers ON strike
to 20 back to work. Moreover. this
section can BE used to prevent The or
qanjzation Of colored labor on the
grounds Of melting racial prejudice,
the intended or probable result of
which appeal is to cause rioting, etc.
No doubt advocacy Of. or opposition
to the cause of Irish freedom would
n some sections be prohibited.
Sections q IN and ~ contain j
o,.a,.a +lra.+ .;n,od - Iahor section
3 makes unlawful every association
which seeks directly or indirectly to
make political change by injury to pri-
vate property right in his business
The recent steel and coal strikes were
both falsely heralded as attempts I'd
overthrow our government. If a hos.
tile federal Judge should decide that
any particular strike has a political
end in view and the striking union is
affiliated with" the American Fed.
Grafton of Labor, the A. f. of L
would be compelled at once to expe
the striking union or itself become
unlawful. And it would at once be
come a crime punishable BY up to 2
years Imprisonment or up to $4,000
fine, or both, for any person anywher;
in the nation to rent a hall or bushes.
office to any labor organization af
iliated with the A. +. of L. or to Civ
or loan it money to send strike relic
to starving women and children.
- aonora1 tb;s i hin aoains
or;n;o,, and advocacy If nronoses t,
~ ~ no+ > government of law hpt o
MON beoa,,se rndar its vague an,
s,voen;no +a,n,s 10 man would knoy
4l a., fado,.a