The New York herald., 1920-01-25
DENY SPECIAL RULE
FOR SEDITION BILL
House Committee Considers
Section Six of Penal Code
Amply Sufficient.
RALSTON ASSAILS PALMER
Labor Attorney, However, Is Not Per-
mitted to Present Charges He
Had Formulated.
RALSTON ASSAILS PALMER
(specio, Despatch to the Herald J

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Saturday.-The
adoption of a special rule for considera-
ton OF the Graham sedition bill is to
although no forsIal action has yet been
taken. This was clearly indicated today
by various expressions Of members in the
committee during the hearing and by a
statement issued later in the day by Rep
resentative Campbell, Republican, of
Kansan, chairman Of the committee.
This statement implied that section C
of the Penal Code is amply sufficient, and
questioned the sincerity OF A. Mitchell
Palmer Attorney General, in his efforts
to enforce the law
Accusations were made in the hearing
by Jackson II. Ralston, attorney for the
American Federation OF Labor and the
National Popular Government League, of
which Senator owen, Democrat, of Okla
homa. is president that "the law has
been violated in half a dozen ways by
agents of the Department Of Justice In
support of this Mr.. Jackson named four
men who. he said had been arrested with
out warrants following the bomb out
rage last May against Attorney General
Palmer and later released because no
charges against them could be sustained.
Mr.. Ralston was preparing also TO sub
NIT to the corr mittee list of twenty five
questions he wished them to PROFOUND to
Mr.. Palmer, in case that official is sum-
moned to testify on the sedition legisla-
ton. These questions were intended to
show, among other things. that innocent
men had been unlawfully arrested, had
suffered financial losses. that their homes
had been invaded and that those respon-
Sy,. b.
ject to punishment or dismissal, had
neither been punished nor dismissed py
the Department Of Justice.
Refuse to Hear Charges.
Members of both parties on the COM
mittee refused to allow Mr.. Ralston to
enter upon this phase Of the matter. Rep
resentative Pou, Democrat. OF North
Carolina. first called halt, and was sus-
tanned by Representatives Carnpben ano
johnson, of South Dakota, Republicans.
.'The witness shout not collate series
of charges against the Attorney General
and present them here" said Mr.. Pou
The conduct of officials. whether righ'
or wrong, has nothing to do with what
we have to consider in connection with
this legislation, and If this kind of thing
is going to be offered. l shall move to &c
into executive session."
Supporting this position. Mr.. Johnson
lid that 'he did not like Mr.. Palmer and
wished he weuld go out OF office" but
THAT charges against him in the hearins
were wasting the time of the committee.
Mr.. Ralston insisted that he thought
they had a bearing upon the proposed
Legislation, because it would show that the
objections he had to 1t were meritorious
since IL fedora, officials were 'misusing
! he present law, they would take greater
latitude in misusing more drastic laws.
lie finally abandoned his purpose TO MAKE
charges against the Attorney General and
entered into an academic discussion OF his
! objections TO the measure.
Revise the Bill, Campbell Urges.
A statement by Mr.. Campbell indicated
that he believes Section Six of the penai
lcode is ample protection. I'm view or the
plain provisions of this section" said Mr..
Campbell, and of the decision of the fed
leral court in the case of Wells against the
United States in which four persons were
Indicted and convicted under the section,
on "A charge that they advocated the over
throw OF the government by force and
violence, why does the Attorney General
lask for another law of similar import
under which he might proceed?
What Is his excuse for delaying prose-
cution where the facts require prosecu-
ton? Was the fact that it would be en-
barrassing for him to answer these ques-
tions the chief reason for his failure TO
appear before the committee
Members Of the Judiciary Committee
were advised by Mr.. Campbell that in his
opinion they would have to redraft the
sedition legislation and eliminate some o.
its more drastic provisions If they eN-
pected IL to be enacted into law. Members
of the judiciary Committee understand
that the special rule Is to be denied. They
were not prepared tonight to say what they
would do about IL, but the Indications are
that they will make some amendments to
the bill.
MIR. Davey RefoYe the Committee.
The author Of the Attorney Generals bill.
REPRESENTATIVE Davey. Democrat. of Ohio,
enlo appeared before the commisee today,
admitted he had some doubts as TO the
wisdom or some OF it's provisions.
The Graham bill goes entirely too far"
said Mr.. Davey, land even my own bill
needs three OF four clarifying amend
meuts."
Mr. Davey read many extracts TO the
committee today from evidence taken by
the Lusk investigating Committee in New
York 20 show the alleged dangerous char
acter Of the doctrines advocated by diff
ferent groups OF radicals"
These Facts speak for Themselves" said
MIR. Davey, land show that there is a con-
siderable movement to overthrow the gov
eminent"
Then why does not the Attorney Gen.
erAl proceed against them under Section
VI of the Penal Code?" asked Mr.. Camp
bell.
Representative Pou said 1t was apparent
to him that tho law was not ADEQUATE.
otherwise there would have been greater
number OF convictions under II.
II is expected that Monday will he given
no to hearing further objections on ,he
bill Whether W not the Attorney Cen
erai viii be asked 10 appear was not APP
parent to-day. Representative Iiodenberg
renewed his suggestion that he should be
called, saying tho situation would ne
greatly clarified if Mr.. Palmer would come
before the committee" but offered no mo.
tion To- that effect,