The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-03-20
The SILVER SHIRTS AND CATION


In Yesterdays Times-News was printed
a letter signed by Robert c. Summertime
of Asheville. who identified himself as
speaking for the Silver Legion OF Amer
ica." an organization more generally
known as the Silver Shirts" Mr.. Sum-
merville answered an article by Bruce
Cation, NEA writer, published in this
newspaper some time ago, IN which the
Silver Shirts organization was rdiculed.
Having given space to Cations article, Tor
the purpose of placing before the readers
of this newspaper the views of nationally
known writer, The Times-News was equal
" pleased to give space to what Mr.. Sum-
merville had to say.
The Times-News confesses its lack OF
definite information in detail about the or
ganization of Silver Shirts. Mr.. Summer
willie denies most of the charges made
against the organization by Bruce Cation,
but confirms the fact that the Silver Shirts
are organizing to fight Communism in the
United States. Around ninety per cent. OF
the people of the country, when they are
thoroughly enlightened about the existing
conspiracy to Russianize this country, Will
wish them unbounded success in their e.
forts TO rout the Communists and when the
showdown comes, millions who do not
wear Silver Shirts will be found standing
with them in opposition to all efforts to
Sovietize this country.
The foregoing is not to be accepted as
endorsement of the Silver Shirts organiza-
ton by The Times-News. On the other
hand, this newspaper has plainly stated
MANY times in the past that it is opposed
TO Socialism in all its forms, to Commun-
ism and to all other forms OF radlcallsrr
In fact, the only ism approved by The
Times-News is AMERICAN-ISM.
The Times-News is not, therefore, as
Mr.. Summerville suggests, supporting tbs
"diabolical plan" to which he makes ref
, erence. This newspaper does not agree
with his statement that freedom OF the
press in this country is hollow mockery.
We know there are people in the United
Estates who are cleverly and continually
llaboring to destroy the freedom of the
,press-in fact, all the liberties of the peo-
Iple of this country-but the would-be de-
Istroyers of the freedom of the press have
been unsuccessful so far. 1t is true they
have scared some newspapers and they
,have hoodwinked others, but their scheme
Ito muzzle the press has not yet succeeded.
lOf course they are maintaining the con-
test and they may win in the end. They
Twill win if the majority of the people OF
Ithis country are not aroused in time to
make the fight that is necessary to save
their country from the domination of the
Communists
] The Times-News gave the Silver Shirt
communication space for the information
of readers, for whatever they may consider
BIT worth; and this newspaper will continue
that policy until destruction of the freedom
of the press is an accomplished fact. I'm
der the freedom of the press policy and
other policies which control the publishing
of honest newspapers in the United States,
it is the business of newspapers to print
news and information and to freely express
opinions. This newspaper is not rubber
stamp, to be blindly used to endorse the
policies of any political party. or leader,
pr clique of leaders, or the national adj
ministratiOn. Our criticism of the alleged
political leaders in Washington-that IS
those composing the membership of Con
gress-is that they have failed to lead
'.'z1 49,.