Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-22
Palmer FOR.
NEITHER ACT
on SED|TION
Suggests New Plan, as
Labor Centers Fight on
Pending Bills.

washington, Jan. 22.-Disapproy-
Ing both the Sterling and Graham,
sedItion bills, Attorney General Pal
mer. in a letter today to Chairman
Campbell of the house rules COM
mittee, proposed new measure
which would provide fines not ex-
ceeding $4,000, and Imprisonment
of not more than 20 years for per-
sons convicted OF attempting to
overthrow the government or Of
acts Of violence against-the govern
metlt or its employees or agents.
while in the discharge OF their OFF,
cial duties.
The measure also would prohibit
writings or teachings which con-
stitute sedition.
The Graham bill provides the
death penalty in cases OF loss OF
life due to active violence against
the government and these provis-
ions have been attacked as too Sc
we're. The Sterling bill has been
assailed on the ground that it
set up a press censorship in peace
time and for other reasons.
Gompers Sees Slavery.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor,
opening the hearing today in op-
position TO the bills.
Declaring that the Graham meas
ure would make "all free men
slaves" Mr.. Gompers asked If ad-
ditional sedition legislation were
necessary.
"Will it bring solidity, q better
welding of our institutions or will
IL work the direct opposite to the
desired RESULT" he asked.
The history of other nations, he
said, ought to guide America in this
matter.
Hinders LabOr's Campaign.
Centering his attack on the pro-
vision of the bill prohibiting the
circulation of all literature ant
periodicals. of radical nature, Mr.
Gompers said the workers of the
United States were seeking indus
trial changes and the improvement
of social and moral conditions ant
that the bill would prevent the use
Of moral force in labOr's campaign
Strikes and cessatiOns of work
Gompers said, are nothing more ef
less than an aspiration by work
ing people for better living condi-
tions. Countries where there are
no strikes, are the most backward
he added.
Makes New Overt Acts.
Asserting that fines and imprison-
ment were provided now for over
acts the witness said the bill had
one purpose, to make restrictions
to afford punishment for things now
lawful.
Although laborers may be un-
organized today" he continued
they might organize tonight be-
cause they want better conditions
and better life. Such a movement
must be of the mass character, they
could not go into executive ses-
sion. Under this bill that would
be prohibited"
Such meetings would not be un-
lawful under this bill," said Repre-
sentative Smell, Republican, New
York.
In reply President Gompers
charged the bill might even prevent
plan TO elect the president by
direct popular vote.
Defend Bill.
The intent of the BILL" Repre-.
sentative Smell interjected, "woulG
not affect anyone unless guilty oi
force and violence"
There is no disposition to punish
anyone except for physical force.
Chairman Volstead of the judiciar.
committee said. There is nothinf
10 prohibit moral force, no dis
position to take away rights to or
ganize orderly or to advocate
change of government"
That would be for the courts tt
decide" Mr.. Gompers replied.