The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-01

CThe following editorial appeared yesterday in the
comment on recent bizarre Judicial happenings
charged with conspTacy to m%re miners are on trial
Judge Henry R. Prewitt of the circuit court in
Mt Sterling, KY. has released John T. Moutoux of
a thoroughly absurd contempt of court citation.
He has stipulated that the News-sentinel apologize
for and correct "such asserted attacks aegedy pub
shed by it" before representative of this newspaper
can remain in the courtroom
The News-Sentnel now is represented in the
court room by both the United Press and the Asso-
ciated Press 1t has no apology to make.
When informed last night of Moutoux citation
for contempt the NewS-Sentinel arranged for Mou-
toux to be defended fully from the charge. Baker
Hostetler, Sido 81 Patterson Of Cleveland we're en-
poyed. OF this firm, Thomas L. Sidlo is general
counsel for the ScrippsH newspapers and New
ton D. Baker, former secretary of war; is senior
Der. w. H. Townsend of the Lexington G<y) bar
was retained to ask for a continuance of the con-
tempt proceedings until proper defense could be made
to the charge.
Moutoux' personal liberty was of great Importance
to us but the issue by Judge Prewitts action
was one of paramount Importance to the nation
freedom of the press.
The issue is fundamental.
First of the ten original amendments to the Con-
stitution of the United States, composing the
Bill of Rights, says: THE congress shall make no
law respecting establishment of religion pro-
hibtng the free exercise thereof; or abrdging the
freedom of speech or of the press or the right of
the people peaceaby to assemble and to petition the
government for redress of grievances"
This was not a provision to protect newspapers
alone 1t was written into the Constitution to pro-
tect all the people of the nation and them
free communication of ideas.
homas jefferson declared: Our liberty depends
upon the freedom OF the press and that can not be
limited without being lost
The News Sentinel editorial to which Judge Pre-
witt objects was captoned, THE Jones Verdict" and
was printed after the conviction of w B. Jones' sec
retary of the United Mine Workers of America, in
Harlan county Kentucky 1t first quoted from an &C
count of the arguments of the prosecution to the
jury as follows
with an admonition by the commonwealth at
torney W. c. Hamilton Not to let the American
flag surrender to the Red flag the fate OF W. B.
Jones' mine union organizer was placed in the hands
of the jury Wednesday afternoon.
Hamilton devoted more than a third of his hour
and half speech to a denuncation of the I. w. w.
and the Communists. There proof in the trial
that Jones belonged either organization The trail
OF the Shiny serpent leads from Ohio to Black
tain Hamilton began referring to the fact that Jones
came from Ohio to Black mountain.
Hamilton pointed out that the United Mine
workers oath fails to say in the of Almighty
God but says instead In the of each other.
I wish they had he added.
emphasizing the Importance of the verdict, the
commonwealth attorney said: In Russia they will
read the fate OF this and if you turn him loose
there win be celebrations in thousands of places and
in Moscow the led flag will be raised higher
1.-THE commonwealth attorney condemned Jones