The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-01-19
'A.F.OF Ito FIGHT
The SED|T|ON BILL
viii Fight With All Its Power,
Gompers Says, -
SEES CRAVE PERIL TO UNIONS
The Labor Leader Declares the Meas
ures Perpetuates Autocratie Censor
ship of the Press.

Washington, Jan. 19.-Anhounce-
ment that the American Federation Of
Labor will oppose with what tever
power it may possess" the enactment
Of the anti-sedition bills now pending
in congress was made in statement
issued by Samuel Gompers, president
of the federation.
The attack of ogranized labor, its
chieftan indicated, will be directed inn
partially against the Sterling bin, re-
Gently passed by the sena.e, and
against the Graham measure, based on
suggestions Of Attorney General Pal
mer and awaiting action by the house
rules committee for special rale to
expedite consideration.
Referring to the two measures as
one bill, President Gompers declared
its enactment "would violate the con-
stitution and rob the whole Ameri-
can people OF their most cherished
and basic guarantees Of free govern
ment."
If the American people, and, in
fact, majority Of the members of
congress- Mr.. Gompers asserted,
were awake TO the dangers concealed
in this bill, storm of indignation
would sweep The nation.
1T has been widely advertised that
this measure protects free speech
fully, but prevents advocacy of fore
ible revolution, Bolshevism and anar-
chy. In fact, it would perpe.uate an
autocratic censorship over the entire
American press. 1t can be used to
kill free speech and free assembly, 1t
strikes deadly blow at legitimate
organizations of labor, or any other
progressive movement for the better
ment of the masses which may be op-
posed by the advocates of privilege
and reaction.
1--WE oppose this bill because every
Legitimate purpose for which it is
framed Is already covered by existing
laws. It's illegitimate features, which
compose two-thirds of the draft, are
utterly autocratic, imeprilistic and un-
American
Rf&ANR4ER 20 la As----s s.z 49,
lnefss contention that new laws are
necessary to reach the individual who
advocates opposition to the govern
ment by Violence" Mr.. Gompers cited
section of the penal code, and ask
ed:
'If revolution is afoot, why has not
the department Of justice made pro-
secutions under that Section?"
Section 5 Of the bin, unbelievable
as it may seen," he continued, "may
-be easily construed to mean, IL indeed
it does not make 1t, a crime, so vague
and involved is the terminology, to
wear in public any button Of an or
ganization whose purpose it is to Sc
cure an amendment to the eonstitu-
ton of the United States or any ex-
listing federal law.
Section 1perpetuates the censor
ship of the postmaster general over
all newspapers and printed matter.
'More amazing still, the proviso
sets up censorship over any mans
private correspondence by the post
master general. 1t would be criminal,
for example, for a man TO send a let
ter advocating resistance to an in-
junction issued by federal judge
| ordering workers on strike to go back
to work. Moreover, this section can
be used to prevent the organization
Of colored labor on the grounds Of In
citing radical prejudice me intended
or probable result OF which appeal is
to cause rioting, etc. No doubt ad-
vocacy Of, or opposition to, the cause
| Of Irish freedom would In some sec.
tions be prohibited.
"Sections o, 10 and II contain a
grave threat aimed at labor Section
8 makes unlawful every association
which seeks directly or indirectly to
make political change by injury to
private property. 1t is unhappily true
that even a legitimate strike may re-
suit in indirect injury to the employ
ers' private property right in his busf-
ness. The recent steel and coal
strikes were both falsely heralded as
attempts to overthrow our govern
ment.
''In general this is a bill against
opinion and advocacy. It proposes ia
set up not government of law, but
of men, because under its vague and
sweeping terms no man would know
what the law is until the federal
Judges interpret its meaning"