The Washington herald., 1920-01-24
Sediion BM Expected
To Die IN House Today;
Ask Palmer to Appear
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bell stated at the close Of yester-
days hearing.
Attorney General Palmer's failure
to appear before the committee in
support Of the bill was severely critt-
cised at the hearing yesterday.
Tt seems to me q clear case of
cold feet" said Representative Ro-
denberg. Republican. of Illinois.
Mr.. Rodenberg announced that at
today's meeting he will make q mo-
tion that the committee Insist upon
the Attorney Generals appearance,
in order that his exact views may
be heard.
"Barly this week he asked to be
the first witness before this commit
tee In support of this legislation,
while yesterday we received q let
ter withdrawing this support and
giving no real explanation for his
failure to appear before the COM
mittee. 1t seems to me a clear case
Of cold feet"
Democratic members of the COM
mittee resented the attack on the At
torney General Representative Pou.
Of North Carolina, said:
There are cold feet nearer home
than the Attorney General. Let US quit
sparring and trying to reap some
political advantage out Of all this"
Chairman Campbell pointed out last
night that Mr.. Palmer first suggested
the legislation and a propaganda in
its favor immediffely was started.
The people Of the country were great
ly stirred up. fearing the government
was In imminent danger Of being
swallowed up by revoiutionistA
Palmerss Statement.
But when the bills came up in Con-
gress. continued Mr.. Campbell. the
public knew nothing of what they
contained and presumed they were
designed to reach the dangerous radi-
calls Mr.. Palmer said ne could not
deal with under existing laws. When
II was learned what the bills actually
contained those who had clamored the
loudest for the legislation. the chair
man declared. were the first to de-
mand its defeat.
Mr.. Palmer evidently received
some kilograms and letters similar to
those that came to me-" added Mr..
Campbell.
The Attorney General explained his
attitude toward the sedition' legisla-
ton in this formal statement last
night.
, IAN entirely erroneous impression
of my attitude toward the so-cailed
Graham and Sterling sedition bills
has gone out through the press. Ny
position in regard to sedition legisla-
ton is the same as it has been since
first submitted. in response to
request of the Senate committee, a
tentative draft Of a measure which.
in my opinion, will cover all the
needs Of the situation. haVe at no
time, personally or officially. ex-
pressed approval Of the provisions of
any sedition measure, except the one
submitted in my report to the Senate
and which has been introduced In She
House by Representative 'Davey."
Sought Him. Says Campbell
Chairman Campbell, of the Rules
Committee. does not agree with this
explanation Of the Attorney Generals
position. He says Mr.. Palmer sought
him out on the floor of the House last
Monday and arranged to appear as the
first witness at the hearings beginning
Thursday. According to Mr.. Camp
bell. the Attorney General said he
would welcome an opportunity to ex-
plain the provisions of the bill and
show the country it was not such
"bugaboo" as some people were try
ing to make 1t appear.
Democrats in the House, It was
learned last night, will make another
attempt to set Mr.. Palmer to go be-
fore the committed and record his
views. -----H-.-r.
Bourke Cochran of New York. REP
resenting the Irish people in the
United States, will app EAR before the
committee today In opposition to :he
hill.