Evening journal., 1920-04-03
ASKS why REDS
AREN'T DEP0RTED
Only 300 of 5000 Radicals
Sent Home, House Com
mittee Learns
INVESTIGATION
is UNDER WAY

| WASHINGTON, Aprll 3. ktnlteu
Press "A thorough Investigation OF
The Labor Departments action in de-
porting only a small percentage Of The
large number Of alien radicals, ar
rested by the Department Justice,
Will be made by the House lmmlgra-
ton Committee, Chairman Johnson,
Washington, said today.
Evidence has been submitted to the
committee that while the Department
OF Justice. has arrested nearly 5000
radical since last December, against
whom IL claimed 20 have per
feet cases" under the law rcquir-
ing deportation OF an foreigners adyo-
eating overthrow OF the government
by force. the Labor Department has
sent back only 300 including 2i9 on the
"Soviet Ark AS result 'charses
have been fled will the committee all
lcging the Labor Department has been
lax IN enforcing the law, Johnson said.
Another aim OF The Investigation VIII
De TO determine the status Of alien l.
W. WIS, Johnson stated.
Secretary of Labor Wilson has ruiz
ed that mere membership Of aliens in
The i. W. w does not constitute a de-
portable offense. but that membership
in the Communist Party does" Johnson
said "The committee has Information
thai the l. w W., and The Communist
parties have exactly the same purpose
overthrow Of the government by
force"
Decision to make the inquiry follow
ed action Of .sub-commltlee IN call
ing az the Labor Department and TAX
ing OF the papers in the cases Of a
number OF aliens who were ordered de-
ported but who have since been releSs-
ed on their own recOgnizance The in
yestigation members OF the committee
VIII air what almost amounts 20 feud
between the Department OF Justice and
the Labor Department Justice officials
have indicated to Congressman
that they believe the Labor
Department has blocked their
to rid the country |
Of dangerous radicals. Another asser-
lion is that the two departments have I
been at cross purposes on the govern /
ment campaign TO reduce the cost Of /
living.
On charges that will be investigated |
Johnson said. is that the Labor De- |
partment has released many Of the 4
radicals aftesied. without careful /
Of their cases. Another /
IS that the Labor Department prevent |
ed second roundup OF reds" The
against l.. G. A. X Mastens, /
soviet ambassador, also will be scan |
ned.
II Is probable that Attorney-General |
Palmer and Secretary Of Labor Wilson
will be called TO testify.
Labor Department officials say the
nles taken by the investigating COM
mltlee win show that many OF the al
legged ralicals arrested by Palmer in the
wholesale raids were taken without due
process OF law. Warrants were issued
by Palmer in only a few cases before
the arrests were made. In hundreds
OF cases Palmer's agents arrested sus-
poets and held them in jail for several
days without even hearings. it was said.
All persons arrested by Palmer on
radical charges are entitled 10 a hear !
Ing before an immigration Inspector.
immigration officials are now working
overtime holding such hearings. Trans
'ripts Of hearings already forwarded 10
Washington show that many OF PAL I
iANt = Nn0l'lA1 fNNit UNNilIIN MA l4IU- /
'rly bonds according to Labor Depart
nent officials. Others Joined the COM
nunist party because they were told
hat by so doing they could get night
chool educations. especially in Eng
ish grammar. A stlll larger percentage
oined without knowing anything about
he purpose OF the party, but merely be-
'ause some OF their friends belonged.
Only a small percentage Of the per-
sons arrested by Palmer really have
been shown to be dangerous radicals.
officials say, although most OF them
admitted membership In the communist
party This membership, under a ruling
II Secretary Wilson, makes II manda- /
.ory on him TO deport them. Wilson /
'uled that the communist party seeks
overthrow by force OF the government. I
Ind the law provides that the Labor /
secretary must deport all persons be- /
onging TO a sovieiy which seeks force /,
ul overthrow OF government.