Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-03
Biddle Sees
Communists
In True Light
But Bridges Followers
Get Him Released
By WESTBROOK PEGLER

BY WESTBROOK PEGLER
T,HE communication OF Earl
Il Browder's prison term as a
means of promoting unity among
the American people is more Of
fensive than ever to the patriot
ism of the country in the light
of the opinion expressed by the
attorney general. Mr.. Biddle. in
the Harry Bridges case.
Overriding committee In his
department, known as the immi-
grafton appeals board, which in
turn had overruled an eminent
Judge who had heard the evil
dence and recommended Bridges
deportation, Mr.. Biddle agrees
not only that Bridges is Com
munist but also that the Com
munist Party does STRIVE 10
overthrow existing governments,
including this one, and that,
therefore, he should be deported.
BELIEVE this is the first
Il time that any competent
spokesman of the administration
has recognized the obvious hos
tility of the Communist Party 10
the government OF the United
States but. anyway. the effect OF
his opinion is that Browder is, in
very plain effect. accused OF
traitorous conduct. he being
chief of this conspiracy against
this nation.
Nevertheless. this evil servant
of our most defiant and con-
temptuous internal enemy is now
again at liberty by presidential
decree, not because he was over
punished for his crime. not be-
cause he was a victim of politi-
cal persecution, but because his
political following demanded his
release.
MO LOYAL American asked
~ Browder's release on any
such ground.
The Communist petitioners,
skilled and tireless in such mat
tiers. claimed 10 have gathered
5000. 900 signatures for their
appeal. but OF course they are all
proud 10 be known AS liars for
their cause, so that figure need
not be accepted.
But even those fellow-travelerS
who joined in the appeal based
their petition on a contention
that Browder was n victim Of
political persecution, which would
be violation OF American JUS
tice.
The cause Of unity had no
merit in the case unless il Is 10
be established that felon SEN
fenced for proved crime and
for no other reason may be AL
lowed to go insufficiently
whipped. out of consideration for
his politics and the strength Of
his political following.
THE excuse OF unity was obvi-
Il ously false anyway, for the
Communists are now under or
ders from their home office 10
do their utmost in behalf Of the
war effort in this country in
Russia's interest.
They would have TO do this
even though Browder had re-
NAMED in prison 10 the last day
OF his four-year term and even
though our government had been
cynical enough 10 admit that he
was political prisoner.
They serve and obey Russia.
Whom then was il intended 10
swerve from disunity to unity by
this political stroke?
Were there any mass meetings
of soldiers or the parents of SOL
diers or any other loyal Ameri-
cans to demand Browders re-
lease?
There were not. and i'm view
OF Biddle's admission that Brow
der's party fights to destroy the
American government. the sug-
EtNliOii Nildi AlIltI1CdIls WOufu
fight and work harder for their
own country in gratitude for this
extra-legal favor TO any enemy
is the more painful.
TlIE only antiwar elements in
Il this country are small and
devoted 10 the Axis, and they
will not be placated by Brow
der's release.
On the contrary. they will be
more pernicious than ever and
no doubt will exploit the honest
indignation OF patriotic citizens
over the outrage TO create
greater disunity than they were
capable of before.
Yet the loyal citizens cannot
be expected to pass over without
protest this special political
favor 10 a criminal whose agency
is now plainly acknowledged by
the attorney general TO be an
enemy of the nation.
TNHE Bridges deportation will