Evening star., 1943-04-03
Senate Expected to Kill
Sabotage Bill Voted in House
Foes Declare Measure Could Be Used
To Curb Freedom Of Press and Speech
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Opponents of a death penalty
anti-sabotage bill, which some
members of Congress claimed
could be used to curb freedom of
the press and speech, looked to
the Senate today to kill the
measure which the House passed
late yesterday on a voice vote.
There was probability, House
opponents said privately. that the
Senate Judiciary Committee would
rewrite the measure completely be-
cause of refusal of the House to ac-
cept amendments restricting its Ian
guage.
House passage followed three days
of intermittent debate that started
last week and brought charges by op-
ponents that the Justice Department
which requested the legislation, could
use it to intimidate and persecute in
nocent citizens and muzzle news
papers and radio commentators un-
friendly to the administration.
Opposition Leaders.
Those charges were the basis of
the opposition, led principally by
Representatives Hoffman, Republi-
can, of Michigan Sauthoff, Progress
sive. of Wisconsin, and Shafer, Re-
publican, Of Michigan.
But proponents, led by Chairman
Summers OF the House Judiciary
Committee, replied that the bill re-
quired proof of intent to aid an
enemy nation during time of war
before the death penalty could be
inflicted.
Generally, the measure proscribes
a group of hostile acts which would
be punishable by death during the
life of the proposed law. 1t would
cease to be in effect six months after
the war If not previously repealed
Associations or organiza tions guilty
of the acts would face a maximum
fine of $5,0OO,0OO.
The Justice Department asked for
the legislation. asserting that exist
ing laws dealing with sedition and
treason we're Inadequate In ap-
proving it the Judiciary Committee
commented that existing civil law
would have permitted prison sem
tences of only two years for the sub
marine borne Nazi saboteurs who
were executed last August after a
military trial.
Debate Centers on Section.
Most Of the debate centered
around a section which termed a
hostile act the acquisition, compila
tion and transmission of data cal
culated to inform the enemy with
respect to the war effort of any OF
the United Nations with intent to
aid a country with which the United
States is at war"
An amendment to remove this sec
ton was defeated. but new section
that nothing In the measure shall
be construed ito prevent any citizen
or citizens, or any newspaper or
other publications. at any time from
freely discussing or openly criticiz-
ing the domestic or foreign policies
of the administration or the Federal
Government, or of any public OFF,
cial, or from discussing or criticizing
any existing or proposed law, regu-
lation, directive or executive order"
That amendment was offered by
Representative Fish, Republican. of
New York and was adopted by a
standing vote of 129 to 95.
Mr.. Fish said many members
feared the Justice Department could
use the bill to "terrorize the Ameri-
can people"
Sauthon Sees Club"
Earlier standing vote OF 112 to
80 kept in the bill a section which
Mr.. Southod called CLUB of perse-
cution" which could be held by the
Justice Department over the head of
newspaper reporters and radio an
nouncers.
Mr.. Sauthoff sought to eliminate
the section describing the following
as "a hostile act:
Acquiring, compiling. obtaining
access to, or transmitting any data
calculated to inform the enemy with
respect to the war effort of the
United States or the war effort or
defense of any nation whose defense
shall have been publicly declared by
the President Of the United States
pursuant to law to be vital to the
defense of the United States, with
intent to aid country with which
the United States is at war"
-. 4
interpreted to permit prosecution for
publication Of many news stories.
Christ of Nazareth could not
stand on street corner in Washing
ton and plead his philosophy" with
out facing death under this bill, Mr.
Sauthoh declared.
Mr.. Shafer declared that Attorney
General Biddle was trying to in
timidate the holders Of franchises