Evening star., 1932-04-06
Expulsion of Students From
Kentucky Arouses Controversy

that, too, should be made known beyond
the shadow of doubt and action taken
to correct the evil. Local pride and
resentment against so-called interfer-
ence' by outsiders should have no part
in the Investigation. Enough news has
trickled through to indicate that the
time has come for frankness, for search
ing inquiry, for clear statement Of
the facts"
Certain rights set forth in the argu-
ments on both sides are recognized by
the Charleston (W. Va.) Daily Mail,
which believes that "the Kentucky OFF,
cials made their mistake" when they
attached too much importance to the
visit of these youngsters" and that
"grievous disappointment would have
been theirs If little attention had been
paid to them and they had been allowed
to make their trip through the mining
field unmolested." The Daily Mail
points out that everybody knows that
conditions among strikers in any mining
field especially in times of general de-
preston, must be very unpleasant" Its
conclusion, however, Is that Kentucky
Is able to take care of her own affairs
and to settle her coal mine disturbances.
But she will bring upon herself much
unpleasant publicity If she sees In every
Self-important, noSey student menace
to her safety" The Haverhill Gazette
suggests that ''if all Is well In Kentucky,
why not let the world in and demon
strate the fact?" The Columbia IS. CD
Record advises: THE great protection
against radicalism is the bill of rights,
freedom of speech and freedom of as
sembly."
"The tragedy of the incident" de-
clares the Harrisburg Telegraph, SIS
that in proud old Kentucky it would
seem as though the soft coal barons
have gained as strong a hold upon
authority as they have in those sections
of West Virginia where correspondent
of the Telegraph was roughly treated
some time since because he dared assert
the right of his citizenship in going
from one point to another. His mere
presence was resented even by those
whose duty it should have been to see
that he was unmolosted."
mo State in the United States and
no section in any State" declares the
Chicago Daily News, has legal right
to prevent any unarmed, peaceable
American from crossing its borders.
That fact, however, certain Kentucky
sheriffs ignore. But they should under
stand that the policy of forbidding stu
dents, newspaper correspondents and
OJileI BIOupS 10 investigate social prOD-
lens in the districts now disturbed by
miners strikes is injurious to their en-
tire State. Such policy necessarily
and properly causes suspicion and
distrust. It tends to make destruc-
tive radicals out of sane liberals. Com
munism thrives on arbitrary repression.
The American system does not author
lie such lawless tyranny as some Ken
lucky sheriffs are practicing. And by
their arbitrary methods they strengthen
in many minds the belief that condt-
tions in Kentucky mining districts are
Commenting on the lack Of protest
within the communities themselves in
support of industrial as well as civic
Justice" the Akron Beacon-Journai
makes the comment THE fact that
every recurring election In these coun-
ties returns to power an official regime
which upholds these ideals of self-gov-
ernment seems to support the conclu-
sion that they are what the people
want If the working class is under
such exploita ton as is claimed, 1t Is re-
markable that 1t does not use its voting
power for its own deliverance, instead
of continuing to make choice Of police
officers who are certain to club down
all their petitions and rights"