Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-01-19
LABOR OPPOSES
ANTI SEDITION
BILLS PENDING
Sterling and Graham Meas
ureS Now Before Congress
Are Unsatisfactory to Union.
Men, Says Samuel Gompers

tHY MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED WIRE,
Washington. ian. 1S.-Formal an
nouncement that the American Fed.
Grafton OF Labor would oppose with
whatever power il may possess" the
enactment Of the anti-sedition hills
now pending in congress. was made
today in statement issued by sam
uel Gompers. president of the fedora
tion.
The attack of organized labor. its
chieftain indica,ed, will Le directed
impartially against the Sterling btIl
recently passed by the senate and
against the Graham measure, based on
suggestions of Attorney General Pal
mer and awaiting action by the house
rules committee Ior special rule to
expedite consideration.
Referring to the two measures as
one bill. President Gompers declared
its enactment would violate the con-
stltution and rob the whole American
people Of their most cherished and
paslc guarantees of free government
III the American people and in
fact majority of the members of con-
gress,' Air. Gompers asserted were
awake to the dangers concealed in this
bill, a storm of indignation would
sweep the nation.
1T has been widely advertised that
this measure protects free speech
fully, but prevents advocacy of forci-
BILE revolution, bolshevism and anar-
chy. In fact, il would perpctuate an
censorship over the entire
American press. 1t can be used TO Kill
free speech and free assembly. 1t
strikes deadly blow at legitimate or
CARNATIONS of labor or any other pro-
gressiVe movement for the betterment
of the masses, which may be OPP osed
by the advocates of privilege and re-
action.
we yield to no man in public office
or out, in our loyalty to the constitu-
tion and institutions of this republics !
no self-respecting man has ques- |
toned or dare question that loyalty, |
We are for evolution but not for revo- |
luton; for ballots, not bullets; for n |
majority rule, not class dictatorship !
Of bolshevism, nor plutocracy of the |
profiteers.
I'VE oppose this bill because every |
legitimate purpose for which it is |
framed is already covered by existing
law. Its illegitimate features, which
two-thirds of the draft, are
utterly autocrauc, imperialistlc and
un American"
Referring to Attorney General Palm
er's contention that new lawAlre neces-
sary 10 reach the individual who nd
vocates opposition to the government
by violence" Mr.. Gompers cited sec+
ion four of the penal code, and asked:
"1f revolution is afoot why has not
-he department of justice made prose-
buttons under that section?
"Section five of the bill, unbelieva-
ole as it may SEEM" he continued,
may be easily construed to mean If,
indeed, it does not make it crime, so
vague and involved is the terminology,
70 wear in public any button of an or
sanizatIon whose purpose it is TO Sc
cure amendment to the constitution of
he United tates or of any existing FED
,ral law.
"Section six perpetuates the censor
ship of the postmaster general over all
newspapers and printed matter. The
;o-called Borah amendment providing
4 court of review of the postmaster
seneral's action. is sound in principle
cut is inadequate to afford protection
IS n practical matter to publisher
against the autocratic action or the
postmaster general.
,ets up a censorship over any mans
private correspondence by the post
Master general. 1t would be criminal,
or example, for a man to send O. let
er advocating resistance to an In
unction issued by a federal judge
ordering workers on strike to go back
a work. Moreover this section can
,e used to prevent the organization
If colored labor on the grounds OF
netting racial prejudice, the intend
ID or probably result of which ap-
zeal Is to cause rioting. ETC. No
loubt advocacy of, or opposition to,
he cause OF Irish freedom would In
ome sections be prohibited. |,
Section would exclude from this
country, even for libraries and in
a large portion of the
abor literature of Europe.
Sections 8, 10 and IL contain
rave threat aimed at labor directly ,
n indirectly, to make political change
" injury to private property. 1t is
Inhappiy true that even a legitimate !
trike may result in indirect injury !
O the employers private property ,
light in his business. The recent ,
teel and coal strikes were both false +
' heralded as attempts to overthrow
ur government. ,
IF an hostile federal Judge should 4
ecide that any particular strike has
political end in view and the strik-
ng union is affiliated with the
.merican Federation of Labor, the
.merican Federation of Labor would
e compelled at once to eXpel the 7
triking union or itself become un- :,
awful And It would at once become =
crime punishable by up to twenty :
ears imprisonment or up to $50, 600 I;
Inc or both for any person anywhere u
/ the nation to rent hall or business
ffice to any labor organization af
liated with the A. f. of L., or to give :
r loan it money to send strike relief :,
D starving women and children.
"In general this is a bill against
pinion and advocacy. 1t proposes 7
, set up not a government of law but
{ man, because under its vague and a.
weeping terms no man would know y
hat the law is until the federal ;,
ldges interpret its meaning. The in \
yitabe result of this bill, IL enacted, 4
'ould be to spread a reign of terror 4
YER the United States, fill the coun- I,
" with spies and special agents of o
he department of justice, fill the land {,
ith suspicion, and heresy-hunting n
ould quickly become a national in K
ustry. II the principles of Magma s,
harta and the Declaration of Inde- 2
andence and the constitution of the O.
nited States are not worth fighting a
, preserve ] have wholly miscon- Il
lived what patriotism and love of "
eedom means 81
fs,,aI In Enru,any Canpac