Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-19
.GOMPERS OPPOSES
ANT|SED|T|ON LAW
Formally Announces Decision of
Federation to Fight Against
Legislation.
HoTLY DENouNcEs BILLS
Declares They Violate Constitu-
tion and Rob Public of Basic
Guarantees of Freedom.
HoTLY DENouNcEs BILLS
tBy Associated Press. ]

WASHINGTON. Jan. 1S.-Formal
announcement that the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor will oppose with
whatever power 1t may possess"
enactment OF the antisedition bills
now pending in Congress, was made
in statement issued today by Samuel
Gompers. president OF the federation
His attack Is directed impartiaIly at
The Sterling bill, recently passed by
the Senate. and the Graham bill. based
on proposals by Attorney-Gencral
Palmer and awaiting action by the
House Rules Committee fog a special
rule TO expedite consideration.
The proposed bill" no said. "if
enacted. would violate tho Constitu-
ton and rob the whole American peo-
pie OF their most cherished and. basic
guarantees OF free government.
III the American people, and. in
TACT. majority OF the members OF
Congress. were awake to the dangers
concealed in this bill. storm Of in
dignation would sweep the nation.
Can XIII Free Speech.
1T has been widely advertised that
,h,s ,,,v measure hes protects free speech
bic revolution. Boishevism and an
archy. In fact. 1t would perpetuate
tire m % american R press. L e esn be- eee used sei
10 kill free speech and free assembly
1t strikes n deadly blow at leEitimate
progressive movement for the better
ment OF the masses which may be op-
posed by the advocates OF privilege
and reaction.
fee q Sai. IL our losaity' y 10 pt sss Con- n
nabiIs;i no 4 soifsIesnsetins man @ hSa
atty. We are for evoiulion. not not revo- 8
Hnf hnl lf.fd hail
majority rule, not class dietatorship
OF Boishevism, plutocracy or of the
profiteer.
Is Utterly Auteeratic Bill.
legitimate purpose for which it is
framed IS already covered by existing
na,, law: i.s iiieEitimate features. which
utterly autocratic. imperialistlc and
un-Amcrican."
Im.r Rstsrrins nsn,on,o, IA.
necessary TO reach the individual who
advocates opposition to the govern
% seetion fM'I Of tho penal code PeIS and asaea; s
III revolution Is afoot. why has not
the Department Of Justice mado
Section Of the bill. unbelievable as
IT may SEEM" he continued. may be
construed to mean. IL indeed II docs
rolved is the terminology. 10 wear in
public any button Of an organization
whose purpose II is to secure
United States, or any existing Federal
law.
Perretuates Censorship.
Section .perpetuates the censor
all newspapers and printed matter.
The so-caiied Borah amendment, pro-
vidinS = court review OF the Post
principle, but is inadequate to aiford
protection as practical matter to a
publisher. against the autocratic ac-
lion Of the PoStmaster-Generai.
More amazing stiii. the proviso sets
up censorship over any mans pri-
,a.e ate. .coIrespond9ense by tho The rostmas-
for example. for man to send let
ter advocating resistance to an in
junction issued by a Federal judge
ordering workers on strike to so back
> TO work. Moreover. this section can
be used TO prevent the organization
o,n, Of colored LABOR ,on the grounds Of in
cause riotinE. etc No doubt advocacy
fresdo9p to- the cause Of iris. 3.
prohibited.
Section would exclude from this
tiA.tors. a large portion OF the labor
literature OF Europe.
Grave Threat at Labor.
SECTIONS 8. ~ and IL contain
grave threat aimed at labor. Section
which seeks directly or indirectly to
make political change by Injury TO
Private property. 1t is unhappiiy true
that even legitimate strike may re-
suit In indirect injury to tho en-
ployers priyate property rights in his
strikes were both falsely heraided as
attempts to overthrow our govern
ment.
decide that any particular strike has
a political end in view and the strik-
ing union Is ,af 'afiiiated with the Amer
can Fedesation OF Labor would he
compelled at once to expeI the strik;ne
union, or Itself become unlawful. it
would at once become crime punish
ment or UP to $4,000 fine or both. for
any person anywhere In the nation to
rent g. hall or business Office to any
labor orsanization affiliated with the
give or loan II money to send strike
relief to starving women and chiIdren
I'm general his Is a bill against
opinion and advocacy. 1t proposes to
OF men, because undor its vague and
sweeping terms no man would know
what the law is until tho Federal
judges interpret Its meaning.
if enacted, would be to spread reign
tho country with spies and special
agents OF tho Department OF Justice,
sy hunting would quickly become
national Industry. II the principles Of
Magma Charta and the Declaration Of
Independence and tho Constitution Of
ns ns ave et wSoy WSoh shs ms
conceived what patriotism and love
and freedom n1ean."