Evening star., 1938-09-21
HAGUE PROSECUTION
DELAYBRINCSPROTEST
Statement That Defeat Of Conspiracy
Charge Against Mayor Is Not End
of Case Held Reassuring.

Much concern has been expressed by
the Nations press over rumors that the
case against Mayor Frank Hague Of
Jersey City would be dropped, because
Of the ruling by the Justice Department
that the city head was not guilty Of con-
spiracy when he held up the speech
making Of Norman Thomas.
There should be law to cover such
cases." declares the San Antonio Ex-
press. "Mr. Thomas Is an American with
no blemishes against his civic record.>
Mayor Hague would not allow him to
remain in Jersey City-much less deliver
his scheduled address-merely because
he did not agree with Mr.. Thomas social
ism. Suppose all Democratic mayors
should close their cities doors to Re-
publicans, and vice versa?"
Thomas" according to the Lynchburg
Advance, claims he was kidnapped in
violation of the Federal statute. The
Cummings investigation did not enter
into that phase Of the matter because 1t
could not see that there had been any
violation on the part Of Hague. In the
sense that kidnapping means the stealing
and secreting of q person and the de-
mand Of ransom for his return, Mr..
Thomas-a law-abiding citizen despite
his unfortunate tenacity to his political
convictions-was not kidnapped"
Quoting the statement Of the Justice
Department that "the investigation Is
still going on" the New York Times offers
the judgment: 1T Is permissible to re-
mind Mr.. Cummings that the investiga-
ton has been going on for nearly four
months. It might seem that in 50 long
a period Investigators Of the proper in
telligence, Industry and goodwill might
have assembled facts enough for Mr..
Cummings and his legal associates to
base an opinion upon. A prompt and
full report will not be the best answer
rounds, to the effect that there will be
"The action Of the Justice Depart.
ment," concludes the st. Paul Pioneer
Press, simply means that 1t does not be-
Neve Hague's personal suspension Of tho
Constitution In Jersey City Is conspiracy
within the meaning Of the law" Tho
youngstown Vindicator, however, MAIN
tains that there should be public re.
port making plain the reasons for the
strange lack Of evidence against Mayor
Hague"
1nc SlLuatlOu, IIllIlkS CIlC ouAdAO
Evening News, was a delicate one for
the administration. The Hague activi-
ties had cramped the organizing style Of
the c. I. O. which was, and still is,
Among the influential supporters Of the
administration. The Hague political
machine also is an important spoke in
the New Deal cycle Of sweetness and
light. Now that good deal Of the fuss
has blown over, 1t is not surprising
that the Federal department should de-
eide to wash its hands Of the affair. The
action of the department points to what
might be regarded as a curious twist in
American laws bearing on civil liberties.
While the Constitution provides that
they must not be abridged, there appar-
emily are lacking effective laws to penal
lie persons who do abridge them. Prob
ably only by conspiracy of several power
full individuals could free speech or
free press be suppressed in this country.
but conspiracy. is a difficult charge to
prove In the Hague case, a more Inn
portant decision than has yet been made
will be forthcoming when Federal Judge
William Clark rules on the injunction
suit filed against the Mayor by the c. I.
o. and the American Civil Liberties
Union"