Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-15

serious as a criminal matter, for it de.
prires a man of his home and contact
with his family and possessions anC
drives him out Of the country. Such
action should not be taken. in the
view of the Department of Labor
without being absolutely sure of tbs
facts. Therefore, this department,
urges that every defendant be given
an opportunity to be represented by
counsel and witnesses who can refute
the testimony Of the government
agents who make the complaint
! The debate in the cabinet moreover
developed another vital point Thou
sands of so-called Communists were
originally members. OF the socialist
party. and never consciously partici-
pated in any, campaign to preach the
overthrow of the government by
violence. However. many socialist or
isanizations and unions of foreign born
workers have been transferred to mem
;bership in the communist party. Often
times the action occurred at conven-
ton where the simple passage of reso-
luton by oral vote constituted the trans
fer Of membership. Does that make an
individual. who had previously belonged
10 the socialist party, member" of the
communist party? The law reads
membership" in the communist party
1t isn't even necessary to prove that
an individual himself believes in
violence. The law is drastic and rigid
land the Department of Labor officials
claim that only 2 per cent of all the
individuals arrested for deportation ex-
ipressed personal belief in violence
Practice OF Department.
! On the other hand. the department
! is deporting men and women in &C.
cordance with the law, and when it is
satisfied that an individual is a bona
+, fide member of the communist party.
!! The hitch comes in establishing the
Z; fact of membership" which is a con-
tractual relationship. Many individ-
/. uals had knowledge of its revolution
AIRY manifesto. but did not construe
its meaning to be inimical to the
! country's interest This defense has
not been accepted by the Department
of Labor. But an individual. it is in
sisted. must be given chance to show
that he did not sanction the enroll
ment of his name in communist
party or that he was unaware of the
kind OF doctrines being preached by
the party with which he was con-
sciously or unconsciously enrolled.
Tt is question really of fact. and
! the cabinet closed its discussion of the
subject when Secretary Wilson ex-
pressed the belief that he and As
sistant Secretary Louis +. Post of
the Department of Labor and Attor-
ney General Palmer could unquestion.
ably come to harmonious agreement
when they sat down to thresh the
matter out.
Mr.. Post has been handling the
question during the unavoidable at-
=; sence OF Secretary Wilson.
President Seemed Vigorous.
! The entire session Of the cabinet
I did not last more than an hour and
a half. The President took a lively
part in the debate and one of the
older members of the cabinet told the
writer that with the exception of a
drawn look on his face and his white
hair, the President seemed as vigor-
Gus as he ever had been. On the
whole. Mr.. Wilson was quite himself
He took occasion to interject bit
(, Of humor now and then. Severa
times the Presidents remarks drew
q hearty laugh. Some members OF
the cabinet. for instance. mentioned the
speech Of a certain senator
ooh. he has habit of speaking
without the facts" interrupted the
President-"a very convenient ar
rangement. by the way
Just which senator was mentioned
the writer was not informed. but
f.. from the White House viewpoint ii
might apply to any of a considerable
number.
The President said the customary
good-by to the cabinet as each filed
by his desk and shook hands, He said
he had been refreshed by the meet
ing and did not feel bit of strain
in fact. liked the contact very much
He said nothing about future meet
ings, but doubtless they will be held
more often hereafter.
The cabinet members who have
known Mr. Wilson for many years
were authority for the positive state
ment that the President, while physi-
cally worn out, is. nevertheless. on
the job. and, while he may look like
convalescent, he does not act like
one.
Copyright, 1920