Evening journal., 1920-01-24
kane PROTESTS
PALMER RAIDS
u. S. Attorney in Philadel-
phia Unsympathetic With
Anti-CommuniSt Policy
ESPIONAGE BILL
UNWlSE, HE THINKS

PHILADELPHIA. Jan. 2i-Francis
Fisher Kane, United States attorney for
Eastern Pennsylvania. who rendered
his resignation on Tuesday did so. he
said yesterday. for a principle
In his letter to the President. he
said: II am Obliged TO take this step
because feel out OF sympathy with
Tho antl-radlcal policies Of Mr.. PAL
mer and his methods OF carrying
them out.
81 am strongly opposed 10 the
wholesale rsiding Of aliens that is be-
ing carried on throughout the coun-
try with view Of putIng through de-
portatlons under the act OF October
i6. 1918 To my mind this policy Is
both unwlse and unjust am also ut
terly opposed 20 the enactment Of
new espionage act with teeth in IT,.
now that we are, 20 all intents and
purposes at peace
Il believe that the enforcement OF
such a new act as Mr. Palmer has pro-
posed would lead 10 an entirely un-
necessary repression of free speech and
Interference with the liberty OF the
press / could not conscicntlously and
who'e-hear,edly take part In The en-
forcemeRt pf such a law
Mr.. Kane also sent a letter 90 Attor-
ney Genital Palmer outlining his
views on the treatment Of so-colled
radicals He protested against the con-
templated Communist party raids. but
the Attorney Generela wrote nc was
too late.
Mr.. Kane disagrees with Mr.. Pal
mer's statement that there does not
seem 20 be any question OF policy in
volved in the raids.
As / read the manifesios Of the
Communist party" he wrote. III does
not expressly stand for the overthrow
Of This government by force and 10 Is
surely a question OF policy not one
Of law. whether the Department OF
Justice should take the initiative and
cause raids against the alien Numbers
Of The party.
1T Is one thing TO debar an alien
coming into this country by admin
lstraiive methods but Il Is quite an
other TO deprive a man who has been
In the country a long time and who
perhaps has a wife and children here
Of what we are accustomed 20 think
OF as constitutional rights
in the present raids we appear 90
be attempting TO repress a political
party lt has a platform most OF
which Is highly Objectionable 10 you
and me. So much ! grant you, but Il
/ calls Itself a political party. and holds
open meetings and discussions. Conse-
/ quently we ought not 30 raid 1t un-
/ loss we are absolutely compelled q
/ do 60 in order 30 enforce the law. f0l
/ by such methods we will drive un-
dergrOund ard make dangerous what
was not dangerous before 10 Is nee
ossary 20 protect our American work
ngmen and the fOrelgn-born work
I lngmen from the influence OF a hand
ful Of Russian and Russian Jews In
love with the Soviet form OF govern
ment? To my mind such protection
Is entirely unnecessary.
"MunitlOn manufacturers and many
other persos made rich by the war
are seeking 90 dOdge the payment OF
their taxes. The enforcement OF the
law against them Is OF prime Import
ance. There are also fraudulent con-
tractors who during the war have
grown rich. and there are. as you
know. corrupt government agents US
ing their Offices for Illicit gain. The
punishment OF these people Is Infinite
ly more important than the pursuit Of
the radicals