Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-03-28
1t May Happen Here

II May happen HCIC
We speak in far away language
of the prosecutions of censorship
and concentration camps in for
eign countries. We are thankful
that we are living in the good old
United States of America, but,
so thinks the Women's Interna-
tional League for Peace and Free
dom and many other thinking
people, there is danger of similar
persecution here.
Almost every Congress pro-
poses, argues and even passes
many bills that in some way or
another cramps" our freedom
just a wee bit more than did the
previous one These cramps"
if suffered to accumulate, will
eventually place us in the same
category as dictatorship. We
must forestall them wherever we
see them. Following are few
bills and short explanations
which are now before congress
and which are opposed by the
Women's International League
for Peace and Freedom:
l. Russell-Starnes H. r. 6724,
conference. Deportation of aliens
who at any time habitually used drugs
or who, by admission in writing"
admitted sabotage or espionage
against the United States govern
ment at any time. Would invite, as
pointed out by Senator Minton, third
degree" methods and does not pro-
vide for trial by jury before convic-
ton.
g Smith Gag" bill H. R. 1913,
passed by House. Now on Senate
calendar. Contains Federal Criminal
Syndicalism Clause applicable to cit
izen and alien alike which would out
law major strikes. Compulsory
fngerprinting of immigrants =. De-
portation of aliens for previous MEM
bership in radical organizations . &.
Would permit arrest on suspicion 8.
Intended as curb on trade unions
and liberal organizations.
3. Hobbs Concentration Camp"
bill H. r. 5643, passed by House. Now
on Senate calendar. Internment for
deportable aliens whose country of
origin refuses them passports i.
Institutes the dreaded concentration
camp in the United States >. BY the
use of the phrase similar classes"
the bill leaves vague the persons in
dictated, thus leaving open the way
for misuse.
A. Reynolds Bills S. 400, on Senate
calendar; S. 1901 on Senate calendar
Registration of all aliens Re-
stricts immigration for five years E.
This bill, S. 400, has been withdrawn
by Senator Reynolds because it was
liberalized in committee, S. 1901 being
substituted :. 1t prohibits issuance
of immigrants visas to quota immi-
grants, prohibits admission of aliens
4. contrary to traditional United
States policy of asylum.
5. Stewart bill S. 1880, on Senate
calendar. Special registration of nom
citizens in the 1910 census. By re-
aliens with authorities whenever they
moved, they would be placed in spe-
cial restricted categories, in defiance
of constitutional guarantees.
6. Dempsey bill H. R. 1850, passed
House. Now in Senate immigration
committee. Deportation of aliens adj
vocating any change in our govern
ment. Any has been substituted for
fundamental previously in the law,
thus making deportable aliens be-
longing to organizations which adj
vocate even constitutional changes in
our form of government.
z. Walsh Military Disaffection bill
S. 1877, passed Senate. Now in
House Military Affairs committee.
A bill to punish attempts to incite
the members of the army and navy
to disobedience" Would permit
unconstitutional search of private
homes for printed matter or writing
+. Might easily punish any criti-
cism of the use of the National Guard
in strikes. A mother advising her
son that the army is no place for him
would be subject to penitentiary
sentence.
8. Mccormack Amendment to Fed
eral Sedition bill, H. R. COTS. In
Senate Judiciary committee. The
amendment provides drastic penalties
for mere verbal advocacy of over
throw of government by force and
violence. This strikes at the first
amendment to our Constitution pro-
hibiting Congress from making any
laws abridging free speech.
Suggested action-Bill No. ASK
the President to veto and so inform