Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18
Communism in America.

While the special committee Of the
House of Representatives, named to
inquire into the authenticity of certain
tivities in the United States; has con-
cluded, as stated in its report, that the
papers in question were not genuine,
the investigation, which has proceeded
for several months, has not been I'M
awaiting or valueless. On the con-
trary, the inquiry has been decidedly
worth while, and the results, in the
form of the report just submitted, fully
justify the effort and emphatically may
be said to warrant the cost. The COM
mittee, headed by Representative HAM
ilton Fish, has expended only a part of
the funds allotted to it, and sets most
praiseworthy example by turning back
one-fifth of its appropriation.
But even if the inquiry cost many
times the amount that has been expend-
ed, it would have been worth while.
For it has resulted in clear and COM
plete statement of the purposes of the
Communist organization in this coun-
try and of the relations Of that Or
ganization to the world Communist
movement centered at Moscow. 1t has
brought wildly to view the pernicious
purpose of the Russian and American
leaders, which is to overthrow the ex-
listing Government in this country and
the substitution in its stead of a Com
munist organization.
The report Of the committee should
be printed in large edition and
spread as widely as possibly over the
country It comprises a comprehen-
sive statement Of the history of the
Communist movement and a tracing Of
its part in the subversion Of govern
ment In Russia, where it Is now Gen.
tered and is, in fact, the actual gov
erning force. It discloses by the frank
statements Of Communist leaders who
were examined by the committee the
aims of the American Communists. It
reveals the spread of the movement
among the organized workers of Amer
lea and the steady increase in the
numbers Of those who, if not actually
paying members of the party, are ANIL
lated and sympathetic with it.
BY dint of persistent direct question.
ing of those who, in the name of Com
munism, appeared before it, the COM
mittee got to the heart Of the purpose
Of this movement, which Is to destroy
religion, to destroy private property, TO
destroy "capitalistic" government. 1t
CLEANED the acknowledgment from the
recognized leader of Communism in
this country that he and his fellows
owe no allegiance to the American
flag but regard the red flag Of Com
munism as the true banner to which
loyalty is avowed. 1t ascertained that
the revolution" for which the Com
munists are preparing and which they
are constantly preaching Is TO be no
mere gesture, but a bloody warfare, a
physical conflict, a fight to the death.
There Is at present no legal means
whereby this pernicious activity can be
arrested. The committee makes no
specific recommendations regarding
enactments to this end. One member
Of the committee, in a separate report.
urges legislation to enable the Depart
ment CT Justice TO maintain a close
watch over all radical activities, closer
administration of the visa system and
drastic laws for the deportation of un-
desirable aliens and rigid postal in
spection Of all radical publications.
Perhaps the most effective means Of
srousing the public interest In this
matter would be to spread the report,
in full, throughout the country.