The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-01-07
QUICK ACTION
AGAINST REDS
Attorney General Palmer Urges
Congress to Enact Sedi-
tion Law
NO REASON FOR
ANY FURTHER DELAY
NO REASON FOR
Under Existing Law It Is I'M
possible to Prosecute and Pun
ish American Born ''Reds''

prosecute Lue SoSdA'Co pe1A ioA ||oANAAS
visits, long haired men and short hair
ed women, who encourage agltators
and promote sedition as a pastime-
Attorney General Palmer today issued
an appeal to congress for prompt ac-
ton on the bill submitted by him sew
eral months ago which would
strengthen the hands Of the depart
ment Of justice, in dealing with Amer
lean citizens considered dangerous to
the nation.
Coming on the heels Of the most
successful nationwide raid ever made
IN this country on centers Of radical
propaganda, Mr.. Palmer's statement
was regarded with unusual interest by
representatives and senator's here for
the reconvening Of congress tomor-
row.
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 af-
ter Ion gresidence. It is these that
Mr.. Palmer desires to handle through
the federal courts rather than TO leave
their punishment to State tribunals.
and in the absence of a federal law
he is unable to do so.
I'm order that the department OF
justice" Mr.. Palmer's statement said,
may deal forcibly, effectively and
quickly with seditionists who are
American citizens but who are seek
ing 10 injure or destroy the govern
ment I hope very earnestly that
congress Immediately upon the recon
vening on January S, will enact into
law a measure adequate to meet the
grave situation now. confronting us.
There exists no reason for further
delay in the enactment Of such a law,
and I confidently expect that there
will be none. That sedftionists should
be punished is denied by. no loyal cit.
izen and that our present laws are
inadequate is questioned by none IA
miliar with the facts.
Several months ago, in appearing
before a senate committee I made
clear the fact that the department Of
justice was unable toi proceed prop
erly against seditionists because Of a
lack Of statutory definition Of the
crime, Nand I also suggested the kind
of law which 7 thought would meet
! the situation.
Since that time, the bill outlined
has been introduced in the house by
Representative Davey, Ohio, and is
now in the hands Of subcommittee
consisting Of Representatives. Huested,
New York; Graham, Pennsylvania,
and Gard Of Ohio. Epitomized, the
bill, after properly defining acts Of Sc
dition, would provide for fine Of not
more than $4,000 or Imprisonment
Of 20 years or both, for any person
guilty Of sedition; a fine Of not more
than $4,000, or Imprisonment Of not
more than ten years. or both, for any
person guilty of promoting sedition;
for the deportation Of any alien con-
victed Of either Of the foregoing
crimes, and for the Standardization
and subsequent deportation; of any
naturalized citizen guilty Of either or
both of these crimes.
THE countrys response to the in
PRODUCTION Of this measures leaves no
excuse for a single moments unneces-
sary delay in the passage of it.
'tThe patriotic press of virtually
every state without regard to politics.
has endorsed the bill as the kind
which must be enacted into law If the
supremacy Of our government is to
be maintained Organizations Of many
classes, including posts Of the Amer
lean Legion, have gone on record un-
qualifedly in favor of the measure:
individuals have written hundreds of
letters indorsing the bill. In truth, it
has been hailed generally by red
blooded Americans as measure with
teeth in It and that is the kind Of a
measure the department Of justice
must have if it is going to stamp out
this grave menace Of sedition.''