New-York tribune., 1920-02-28
Reds Adopting g
A New Trick,
Says Palmer
Attorney General Tells
Lawyers That Aliens
Make Citizens Leaders
to Escape Deportation
More Strict Laws Needed
Even Bomb Throwers Are
Immune Except Under
Local Laws, He Explains

Deportation Of alien "Reds",i is result
ing In reorganization Of the revolu-
tionary groups in the United States,
with naturalized anarchists at their
head, A. Mitchell Palmer. Attorney
General of the United States, told the
New York County Lawyers Association
last night at the Hotel Ast8r. Mr.
Palmer was guest of honor at the as
sociation's dinner. Charles E. Hughes
presided.
The Attorney General urged that the
Federal laws be extended adequately
to punish citizens for the offenses for
which aliens are deported.
"The ultra-radical class war move
ment in the United States" he said
"is the greatest menace to our peace
safety and good order. Already there
are evidences of the reorganization of
the revolutionists so as to escape op-
Grafton Of the deportation statutes
Naturalized citizens, who under our
present laws are immune from deporta-
ton, how are taking the lead. They
feel safe by reason of the difficulty
OF the government in making out a
case under the conspiracy laws
Bomb Throwcrs Immune
"The deficiencies Of our present laws
are we'll illustrated by the fact that
bomb throwers who, with intent only
to injure the government, make muir
derous attacks on homes. of govern
ment officials, commit no crime under
{,+ A 4
walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, in
Washington, with a bomb in his hand.
intending and publicly threatening to
blow up both houses of Congress, and
be immune from prosecution under any
general Federal statute. Did he actu-
ally proceed to the Capitol and explode
a bomb with that purpose and with
the intent to do injury to the govern
ment, he would commit no crime under
the Federal law, except possibly that
of defacing or destroying government
property.
I'm most instances, Of course. the
local laws of the District of Columbia
or or the various states deal with crimes
OF this character, but government off
c'als charged with protecting the gov
ernment should not be compelled to
rely on local laws and local officials for
their own protection.
Reconstruction Hindered
"The chief evil of this Red radical
ism is that it is an obstruction to peace
able and orderly reconstruction. There
IS no real danger to the government it.
self, yet 1T has grown to- such propor-
tlons that 1t is disturbing law and order
IN the country to an alarming degree"
Mr.. Palmer referred to the nation
n 0nt W.
agents as having met what once seemed
the danger of a regularly organized al
tempt at revolution" He predicted
that most Of the 5000 aliens taken in
the raids would be deported.
we are going to have law and order
IN this country" said former Justice
Hughes. eve propose that all CON
splracies against the public peace, and
all incitations to violence, shall he
promptly and resolutely dealt with.
Having accomplished that very neces-
sary duty and provided the means for
peaceful and orderly discussion, we pro-
pose to keep uncorruplcd the ballot
box and to maintain the essential prin
clples OF representative government in
this country.
Free Discussion Advocated
We propose to meet in an open
forum and by competent free and can
did discussion all those who desire any
changes in our methods or formulas Of
government. The time has come when
men must declare what they think, and
support it by reasoning. They commit
tho,r views to the judgment of the in
teilleent electorate and abide by the re-
suit without suggestion of bieotry or
into olerance-which are incompatible
with democratic institutions"
The other speakers we're Federal
Judge Charles NJ. Hough, Francis M.
scott. vice-president of the City Bar
association. and former Judge Nathan
l.. Miller, of Syracuse, recently nomi-
haIea 1or delegate at large to the Re-
publican National Convention.