Evening star., 1927-05-26

The decision Of the United States
Supreme Court affirming the constitu-
tionality Of California and Kansas acts
directed against "syndicalism' is gen.
orally welcomed by the American
press on the ground that it strength
ems the power Of the State in dealing
with advocates of force against Gov
ernment. Some editors, however, con-
tend that the Government, regardless
of State action, already has the power
to deal with treason, while others are
inclined to see greater safety in free
dom Of speech.
Defense Of American institutions
from internal as well as external ene-
mics will be helped greatly by the
unanimous action of the Supreme
Court in the California case," in the
opinion of the New York Sun, while
the Spokane Spokesma n Review holds
that the "utterance by the court is a
trilogy of reason, law and Justice"
The Los Angeles Express explains
that the California law was upheld in
the long-co1tested Charlotte Anita
Whitney case, and that Miss Whit
ney. a well known and wealthy Oak
land woman, had appealed to the Su-
preme Court for reversal Of the Cali.
fornia courts, where she had been
tried and found guilty and sentenced
to 1 to IA years Imprisonment" The
Express believes the law "of greatest
importance not only to California, but
all the States," and suggests that "it
is fair to assume, now the constitu-
tionality of the law has been proved,
that other States will desire the same
protection from the enemies of the
Government as that afforded Califor
MIA by its criminal syndicalism law"
THE Supreme Court has upheld an
important principle laid down in the
laws Of two States" declares the To-
ledo Blade. land the decision must
hearten and strengthen law-abiding
and patriotic leaders of the American
Federation of Labor, who have fought
long and consistently against the
Communists and revolutionists who
sought control by boring from within"
The Indianapolis Star feels that the
public will hail the opinion "as a
needed curb to radical agitators with
whom the Government has been more
than patient" The Waterloo Tribune
finds no question as to the right Of the
State Ito protect itself against attacks
upon society as constructed and
against attacks on its political organi-
Zation."
Importance is seen by the Belling-
ham Herald in the strengthening of
the powers Of the State "to defend it.
self against assaults upon it's powers
in time OF Stress" and that paper sug-
gests that IAN opposite decision would
have weakened that authority and
given encouragement to seditionists."
Citing the defendants contention
that she did not practice violence,
the Providence Journal concludes: "In
the light Of the courts decision, 1t
would appear that the time has come
when the burden of proof Is to be
placed on the accused rather than on
the State as to guilt or innocence in
relation to charges of syndicalist prac-
tices when it has been shown that the
accused Is member of an organiza-
ton that aims to destroy by violent
and unlawful means private industries
and the American form or govern
ment."
Three points which are emphasized
by the Duluth Herald are that the
court has ruled against plotting to
overthrow the Government, that gov
ernmental changes may be advocated
by persuasion, and that there must
be an overt act. The Herald adds:
1.-THE position of the Supreme Court Is
sound, sensible, sane and solid. Radi-
calls and conservatives both need to
take notice of it." The Columbus Ohio
State Journal similarly maintains that
while "the established order Is within
its rights in endeavoring by law and
by police and court action to protect
itself against plotters Of violence. the
~~,sA III terht 20 fSH q n
vocating peaceful industrial revolu'
ton" 1t adds that this "is distinc.
ton not always recognized"
* K X X
Observing that "the California law
| 10 described as condemning conspira.
cies to overthrow organized govern
ments by force" the Louisville Cou.
| rier.Journal remarks that "the power
to ureyent and punish these il inher.