Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-02-08
FREE PRESS PERIL
SEEN IN POLITICS
Chicago Publisher Charges
Politicians Inspired Lig-
gett Staying.
BY the Associated Press.


COLUMBUS, Ohio, February ga
charge Of lending aid and assistance
to the machine-gun Staying of Walter
Lggett, Minneapolis editor, lay before
Gov. Floyd Olson Of Minnesota today
Col. Robert Mccormick, publisher
Of the Chicago Tribune, said the death
of the colorful editor was an Instance
of subverters and ultra radicals en-
deavoripg to destroy the freedom Of
the press and to overthrow our form
of government" =,
"In Minneapolis, he told the Ohio
Newspaper Association last night, you
find gangland numbering editors and
all who cross its path.
"You find an ultra-radical Governor
lending aid and assistance to gang
land in its campaign"
Liggett's widow, testifying In the
trial of Isadore (Kid Cann) Blumen-
field. former bootlegger, for Liggett's
killing, asserted her husband must
have been slain with Gov. Olson's per-
mission.
Fougnt Alliance.
"Liggett," Col Mccormick asserted
carried on a fearless fight against the
criminal alliance of crime and politics
which ruled Minneapolis, the county
and the State of Minnesota"
He declared the State, through It's
political personnel, was in alliance
with crime and that propaganda
against newspapers had been caused
by "subverters because the newspapers
are the backbone Of the institutions
they wish to overthrow"
Free government has all but
broken down." he asserted. whether
the ship of state will steer upon
the rocks of anarchy or to the deer
safe channel of constitutionality hangs
in the balance"
The future, he told the editors, "de-
ponds on their constancy and cour-
age" He described them as "the only
element that is still militant in this
country and understands its duties.
Another threat, legislation directed
at newspapers, confronts editors
41AAoAA1 AAoAAoOAA tAASoSA e~As
Would Cripple Press.
"At the present moment" said Han
son. general counsel for the American
Newspaper Publishers Association
there are pending any number OF
bills in Washington which, if enacted
would seriously cripple the press Of
the country"
He asserted there had been more
unfriendly measures toward news
papers during the Roosevelt admins
tration than in the last so years.
ANY effort. direct or indirect, tc
control a newspapers revenue through
| an attack on advertising or circula-
ton constitutes direct threat agains;
the freedom of the press" he as
serted.
He said the publishers association
opposed the Black 30-hour week bill
He criticized the method of enforc.
ing the 'so-called Federal social
security act" asserting Congress hac
the right each year to determine
whether funds collected should be
used for their original purpose or dis
tribute6 elsewhere.
Hits Utility Act.
He advised paying taxes under the
act only under protest.
Hanson asserted the Wheeler Ray.
| burn utilities act was unconstitutional
He said it authorized the Fedora
Trade Commission to go to shopping
expeditions into every ones business
and delegates Ito the commission the
powers of Congress in so far as those
powers relate to investigations made
for legislative purposes"
PROTECTION CHARGED.