The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-18
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

THIS season makes it timely and logical to
Il examine into the state of those civil lib
critics which the trainers of the Declaration of
Independence regarded as the cornerstone of
true Americanism. The American Civil Lib
critics Union has published its quarterly review
of the ebb and flow of liberty in the United
States up to July l, 1885
Several definite victories for liberal causes
are Sted. Most important has been the relative
success in frustrating the drive of the patrioteers
and the plutocrats for gag laws in Congress and
IN the legislatures of the several states The
propaganda for the passage of such absurd leg
iSlation has been more vigorous and vicious than
at any time since the immediate close of the
World Wharf.-The era of Pamerism, Lusking and
the like
Yet none of the important reactonary meas
ures proposed in Congress and backed by the
American Legion, the Chamber of Commerce
and patriotic societies has been passed and few
have been able to get beyond the committee
stage. Nor was any great success achieved bv
the patricteers in the state legislatures While
the worst may be yet to come the aggressive
campaign of the American Civil Liberties Union
and associated liberal societies has thus far suf-
nced TO scotch, IN large part the serpent of
censorship, repression and reaction
considerable progress has been made in the
passage OF state antl-inuncton laws modelled
on the Norris-La Guarda act, designed espe-
claIly to provide jury trial in the case of al
Ieged violations of injunctions. Three new states.
New York, North Dakota and MARYLAND have
Just passed such acts bringing the total of states
to a.
& VERY important court victory for anti-in-
1 junction laws was won early in April in
| pennsylvania so long a stronghold of anti
| LABOR Jurisprudence. The constitutionalitv of
Uhe pennsylvania law was upheld unanimously
| by the state Supreme Court and Judge Maxev's
opinion was so cogent and effective that it has
oeen reprinted for distribution by the Civil Lib
eftleS Union HumOr on the grand scale came
INTO play when the Civil Liberties Union found
itself lined up in behalf of one of its most vocal
ana NfuIent enemies, Congressman Hamilton
FISH, who was thrown off the air bv one of the
important New York broadcasting stations be-
cause OF an address vigorously attacking the
democratic party and the Roosevelt Administra-
tion Mr. Fish for once was compelled to admit
That the Civil Liberties Union was not acting at
the oeheSt of Moscow
Among the reverses to civil liberty in the last
few months have been the few but menacing
acts which were put through state legislatures
many OF them before an effective campaign of
opposition could be organized by the Civil Lib
critics Union
The passage of bills barring from the ballot
parties which advocate force and violence"
'sediton or treason" in four states-Indiana.
Delaware, Arkansas and Tennessee
The passage of teachers loyalty oath bills in
Arizona Georgia, Michigan and New Jersey.
The passage of a Sedition bill in Michigan
considerably emaSculated, and not much
stronger than the present criminal syndicalism
act.
The so-called anti-Nazi bill in New Jersey nv
far the most sweeping piece of repressive legis-
latlon yet adopted. 1t will be tested in the
courts.
THE end Of the school and college year was
l. marked by wave of repressive acts such
as charges OF radical propaganda in the Uni
versity of Wisconsin and the University of Chi
cago, and the dismissal or demotion of large
number of liberal and progressive teachers
The same reactionary newspapers industrial
lists and patriotic societies that have been behind
the gag legislation have also taken the lead in
this drive against teachers possessing more than
ordinary intelligence, courage and social con-
seriousness.
A menacng precedent was set in Oklahoma
when nine leaders of the unemployed were SEN
fenced TO prison for demonstration against
inadequate relief. Under the worst possible in
depreciation, these persons were guilty of nothing
more than disturbing the peace. But the Fed
eral Conspiracy law was invoked against them
If this becomes a common practice it will con-
Stltute one of the most menaclng threats to civil
liberties which has arisen during our generation
Violence against labor leaders continues the
most notable instances of late being the riot
in the coal mining town of Gallup, N. M, and
the savage assaults upon members of the United
Anthracite Miners Union in the hard coal area
around WikeS-Barre, Pa.
In spite of the liberalism of Secretary
of Labor the Department of Labor is becoming
all too susceptible to pressure from anti-alien
reactionarles in its deportation policies.