Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-02-27
A Threat to Liberty


According to Wcbsters Dictionary, the word
>"abridge" when used OF rights privileges ..
EMPHASIZES the idea of reduction
The first amendment, therefore, forbids Congress
TO REDUCE the freedom Of the press
But such reduction to the point of extreme censor
ship is exactly what Atty. Gen. Francis Biddle has
apparently asked for in communications sent to both
houses OF Congress together with the draft of sug-
gcstcd ball TO pur the demand into effect
THE attorney generals letter, remarkable in itself,
Il desire to call YOUR attention the ACCESSIBILITY of
a law TO protect THE CONTENTS of secret confden-
tal government records and documents from unlawful
disclosure.
There is no prohibition against furnishing
copies of or duging the contents of secret conhden
tiaI files of documents.
1t would he advisable in the best interest of the
public business and particularly in the interest of national
defense and internal security, to make il CRIMINAL
OFFENSE to disclose confidential government informa-
ton WITHOUT AUTHORITY TO DO SO
"Accordngy, recommend the enactment of egis
laon to make il a criminal ohense FOR ANY ONE
without authority 10 dNuge the contents OF secret or
confidential government documents
Very evidently under the attorney generals stipuia
ton ANY bureaucrat or ANY official of the federal
government could suppress ANY embarrassing informa
ton BY MERELY DECLARING SUCH INFORMATION
TO BE CONFIDENTIAL" TO THE GOVERNMENT
IN 154 YEARS since the Constitution was ratified
the federal has felt the need of such
a law; and it is unlikely that any Congress ever
elected in this country has ever considered the enactment
of such law
during that time the government has waged
FOUR major foreign wars and ravaging Civil War.
And there is need now for such a law because of
war conditions the attorney general pleads there is
The statutes already make treason crime, and
punish the giving of aid comfort to the countrys
in time of
Furthermore, the government and the press have
established in this war system of voluntary Censorship
the country want to make work.
Of course there always danger of the discovery of
military and naval secrets by spes-but PRESS CEN
SORSHIP is utterly Intellectual to deal with ESPIONAGE
IN VIEW of the patent facts purpose be served
by such law the attorney general proposes except
to prevent publication of legitimate information which
anybody in the government may at any time want
suppressed?
In time of war, with such law, the government
if it chose or even if ONE OFFICIAL of the government
chose-could keep THE PEOPLE from knowing the facts
about such naval disasters Pearl Harbor.
With such law, THE PEOPLE might not have
known for years about the transfer of so American de-
stroyers to Great Britain BEFORE entered the war;
about the sending of expedtonary force to Ireland
EVEN IN TINE OF PEACE, SUCH A LAW
WOULD BE MOST PERNICIOUS.
1t could have prevented, for example the exposure
of the notorious Teapot Dome transactions which
the scandal of the Harding administration and which sent
a cabinet officer to prison.
THE language suggested in Attorney General Biddle's
to dvuge the contents of secret confidential
ment documents"-mght even prevent MEMBER OF
CONGRESS from discussing public evil public
peril public betrayal the floor Of the Senate of
the House Of Representatives.
A law such Attorney General Biddle has asked
for well meaning though he may be, would provide
perfect for all manner of rascaty lawessness
or stupidity ruinous incompetence IN ANY admins
tration that might come into power.
And the device would be most effective for THAT
purpose: 1t is what lawyers call CENSORSHIP AT
THE SOURCE"
Q ENATOR= VAN NUYS of Indiana has promised that
- the Bdde proposal will get "a lot Of scrutiny in the
Senate judiciary committee.
1T is very far-reaching bill he said "and that
NEEDS lot of scrutiny.
I'm mere casual reading its ramihcations be
recognized.
1T is Couched in general, sweeping terms. \ glance
diScOses its weaknesses.
This measure will undergo close scrutiny aS
that has come before the judiciary committee"
BAERlNG DOWN ON TIE NEWS:
ILL., AL. E