Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-27
Editorial Digest
Untermver Accuses Palmer.


An investigation of A. Mitchell
Palmer. which. according to Samuel
Untermyer, will disclose "a series
of the most notifying scandals that
have. ever befallen this country" is
demanded by the latter and sec
onded by the former. Now. the
American press echoes this demand,
some writer's with the assurance that
the Attorney General will be COM
pletely vindicated and others already
convinced that his conduct as head
of the Department of Justice, or as
alien property custodian, or both,
was anything but correct.
with Mr.. Palmer himself request
ing an investigation of the Depart
ment of Justice during his incum-
bency," says the Springfield Rspub-
lican independently. "the Senate jul
dietary should not hesitate" and, the
paper adds, whatever it inyest Is
not neglect the Office of the alien
property custodian. particularly in
the period when Mr.. Palmer was at
the head of it, This step should
be taken. the New York Evening
Post independently believes: in JUS
his accusers and, as the brief against
him argues. for the purpose of de-
termining precedent on the Whole
vital question of civic liberties I'M
der wartime conditions.'
The Oklahoma City Oklahoman
ment that lawyers for "deported'
and enemy" aliens are at the bottom
of the charges against him. 1t con-
tinues: Similar attacks which have
been made upon him before, especlai T.
ly in his conduct of the office OF
alien property custodian, have peen
proven without foundation. How
ever the truth or falsity of the new
charges should be established"
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
(democratic) carefully points out that
if Mr.. Palmer used or m1sused ms
powers, it was in no way fault OF the
democratic party, and adds that since
many millions were involved" in the
alien property transactions "it is in
evitable that he should be hated"
Approval Of Mr.. Palmer. who should
have gratitude, not criticism. comes
from the New York Mail Gndepend-
ent). 1t says in his defense: :.
However detached from the reali-
ties of actual life a limited number
of academic gentlemen may be, they
must allow the rest of us the privilege
of believing that very short Shirt
indeed is due to the criminal anarch-
list, whether he has actually consum-
preparation for it. If Mr.. Palmer
erred at all it was in his scrupulous
regard for respecting all the rights
which any just Interpretation of the
law might give these outlaws. More
especially when we remember that
one of their bombs meant for himself
barely missed it's mark
But not all the newspapers stand
back of Mr.. Palmer. Even his ap-
parent willingness to have his con-
duct toward the deported reds ex-
amihed is considered "a herring
across the trail by the Springfield
Union (republican).
Standard (republican), Palmer Ger
tainly needs looking into" for che
has committed blunders and has
abused the privilege his Office gives
to the continued hurt Of honest men
He has come under the condemnation
been rebuked by judges OF the federal
court"
The New London Comm Day IRE
publican) is even more emphatic in
it's denunciation of 'Palmerism":
ut has been a blight to justice In
America and blot on the good name
Of the government. Congress owes
ton of Palmer's doings, and of what
he hasn't done. To let him pass out
Of Office unquestioned and without re-
proach will only add fuel to disconl
tent and radicalism, which only too
readily seizes an opportunity to say
that iniquity and graft exist in high
places"
The Baltimore Sun Independent
aemocfA3cl potnt1s outs&1Rt the ease
/ Against Nj. Palmer 1smot thevcasesoi
1narchiGts ana 1awbrea2rers..e Aut is
the case SfSeguc1h men az Judge An
derssn sf Besesn and Mr.: Justice
rnasfSxt aAs.a n ,he.6eati,4 a., hfsr1,eha1f is