Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-01-22
MR.. PALMER SENDS
RULES COMMITTEE
NEW SED|T|ONB BILL
Attorney General Sees Flaws
in Both Sterling and
Graham Measures.

Disappearing both the Sterling and
Graham sedition bills. Attorney Cen
eral Palmer. in letter today to
Chairman Campbell of the House
rules committee. proposed new
measure. which would provide nnes
not exceeding $4,000 and imprison-
ment of not more than twenty years
for persons convicted of attempting
to overthrow the government or of
acts Of violence against the govern
ment OF its employees or agents while
in the discharge of their officia
duties.
The letter was sent to the commit
tee while President Gompers of the
American Federation OF Labor was
testifying before the committee in
protest against the anti sedition
measures. charging they would OPP
press all classes of labor and stife
any move to change the Constitution.
Against Writings or Teachings.
The new measure proposed by Mr.
Palmer also would prohibit any writ
ings or teachings which constitute
sedltion. The bill says that who
ever, with intent to levy war against
the United States. or to cause thu
change, overthrow or destruction OF
the government, or any laws or au-
thority thereof, or to cause the over
throw or destruction of all forms of
law or organized government. or to
oppose, prevent, hinder or delay eX-
ecution of any law of the United
states or the free performance by the
nlted states government, or any one
OF its officers. agents or employees OF
its or his public duty, commits or at
tempts or threatens to commit any act
of force against any person or any
property. or any act of terrorism.
hate, revenge or injury against the
person or property of any officer.
agent or employee of the United States
shall be deemed guilty of sedition.
and upon CONNECTION thereof shall be
punished by fine not exceeding $40.
900 or by Imprisonment for a periC0
not exceeding twenty years. or by
both. such fine and Imprisonment ia
the discretion of the court
Prepared to Enforce Law.
The Attorney General closes his
letter saying that the Department OF
Justice stands ready to enforce what
ever legislation the Congress shall
see fit to pass.
Even moral force, such as organi-
cation by orderly mass meetings, Mr..
Gompers told the committee, would
be punishable under the pending bill.
Il oppose all activities of the So
called reds" Gompers said. land
there is no one who is so opposed to
these people.
''Standpatters, reactionaries and
IOOlS III congress may nate me. but
none hate me or Willy ME as these
people whose activities have been
branded as red"
What do you mean by fools in
Congress?" Chairman Campbell asked.
II am afraid 1 would be guilty of
lese majestic If mentioned any
names" Mr.. Gompers retorted.
IF the courts are clothed WITH
| further authorities of these measures
nobody knows where il will end" Mr..
Gompsrs continued. FOR many courts
have held lawful organization of la
Dor to be acts against the govern
ment."
Strikes and cessations of labor are
nothing more. or less than an aspi-
ration by working people for better
living conditions. Mr.. Gompers said.
Countries where there are no
strikes are the most backward on the
face of the globe. After lifelong
study" Mr.. Gompers continued. II be-
lieve this species of legislation will
not stiNe things as it is supposed to
do. Rather il will provoke the OPP
posite. 1t will tie men to their jobs"