The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-02-05

conspiraoeS operating within democracy. In var- ous speeches and writings and more recently, in an interview with the New York Herald Tribune, MT. Ernst who is progressive thinker and member of the Presidents Civil Rights Committee, has suggested legislation to strip the cloak of anonymity rem secret organizations of both the right and the left His basic thought is that democracy operates best in the lime light My faith" he says, lis in the free market place of thought from which deeply believe that the truth will emerge the victor believe that if democ racy meets the Klan communism in the market place, democracy will triumph"
 At present communism conspres in the dark and shows a false face in the market place. Mir. Ernst would not make martyrs of Stalins henchmen in this country by outawing the Communist Party Nor would he hound the commies by the wtch-hunting methods Of the Thomas Committee His approach is to bring all legitimate organizations out into the open thus reflect suspicion upon all those that insist upon operating in the dark. We think this suggestion has constructive possibilities.
 The proposed law would invite every voluntary organization in the United States to publish it's aims interim program and membership lists and the of its funds Presumably punishment would be in- flicted for deliberate alsehoods in making such state ments But organization would be declared illegal The only penalty for any groups continuing to operate under cover would be governmental and public sus- pcion as to their loyalty. MT. Ernst would deny employment in the Department of State, the defense establishments and allied agencies to anyone belonging to an undercover organization. The plan could be
 
 Federal jobs to the members of secret organizations
 By this means, MT. Ernst thinks the heat now arising loyalty tests could be taken off the ndi vdua and put on the organization. It should not be supposed of course, that such law would remove all need for inqurng into the loyalty of Government employees for long as secret organizations con- tinued to exist there would remain question as to whether public servants belonged to them But the proposal would have the effect separating the sheep from the goats in what seems the least obnoxlous way that has come to our attention
 The probable effect of such law ought to be carefully studied. Would it. for example tend to ernbarrass religious mnorites? Or, if religious or ganizations exempted, would this create loop hole for evasion of the law by really subversive ele ments? Whatever disadvantages may be turned up however would have to be weighed against the great advantage of having all factions that seek to mold public opinion and attain political objectives con- duct their activities in the open.
 Another enorn.5us aGyantage would be the posture of subversire rackeeers who now fleece the public of millions of dollars yearly from false pre- tenses Mir Ernst points out that Communists got behind the raising funds for defense of the Scotts boro boys who had been charged with rape under suspicious circumstances in Alabama and collected perhaps million dollars. The actual cost of the defense was about $6000O. We could give other it. ustrations having exposed subversve rackeeers ourselves thouel mourning threats of libel suits in the process
 The plain fact is that the American people are fcolishly supporting numerous subversive highly questionable causes without knowing what they are doing That is a thoroughly unhealthy situation and we are glad that MT Ernst has initiated discussion of
 bring everything pertaining to our political
 life cut into the open In times like these democracy scarcely hope to retain its ygor unless it operates in a goldfish bowl.