Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-02-10
HouseExpected
To Get. Anti-Red
Bills by March |
Hays Appears Today
As First Witness
For Opposition
By Miriam Gutenberg

Legislation to curb American Com
munists will be ready for presenta-
ton to the House by March 1, Repre-
sentative Nixon, Republican, of Cali
fornia, predicted today as subcom-
mittee of the House Committee on
Un-American Activities awaited
testimony from its first Opposition
witness.
Arthur Garfield Hays, counsel for
the American Civil Liberties Union
was scheduled to appear before the
subcommittee this afternoon. Mr.
Hays was expected to oppose all the
measures now being considered by
the subcommittee to check COM
munism.
Mr.. Nixon, chairman of the SUBJ
committee studying anti-Communist
proposals, told reporters "the ma
jority of sentiment in the commit
tee leans toward exposure, rather
than suppression of Communism.
Few Back McDonough Bill.
The chairman noted that few wit
nesses SO far have favored the Nc
Donough bill to make the active
practice of Communism a treason
able act. More support, he pointed
out, has been heard for proposed
legislation to bare Communists and
their sympathizers to public view.
One method of exposure was out
lined in detail yesterday afternoon
by q panel of lawyers from the Dis
trict Bar Association.
They proposed CHASING as "anti-
American" any individual or group
advocating a fundamental change
in this countr+'s institutions other
than by constitutional, democratic
processes.
Those classed as "anti-American'
would be required to register as
such. They would have to label as
nti-American" any printed mat
ter, movies or radio broadcasts they
sponsor.
Restricted on Jobs.
They would be barred from hold
ing Office in labor unions or key in
dustrial concerns. They would not
be permitted to hold Government
jobs, except possibly in the armed
forces.
Severe penalties would be meteo
out to those who failed to register
but there would be no penalty in
the way of fine or Imprisonment for
registering, thus making it the part
of wisdom that these people identify
themselves"
The bar leaders commended that
adoption of these principles would
appeal to the sense of fairness arlo
Justice while. making a distinction
between knowing adherents of anti
american doctrines and innocent
victims thereof" q.
-s--.rrs Sees No Infringement. ..
Asked for comment on the con-
stitutien aiitY OF this, programs Or
Charles s.. Collier, professor Of eons
.stitutional law at George Washing
ton University law school, said he
did not believe it infringed on civil
rights since it provided for few
prohibitions. He said the plan would
not deny Communists the use of the
mails but would require them te
label their propaganda.
George E. Mcneil, District bal
president, agreed that the registra-
ton requirement would Withstand
constitutional attack" He said he
favored a law compelling Commun-
lists to come out in the open and
identify themselves.
Also testifying for this program
were Edmund D. Campbell, member
of the associations Board of Direc-
tors, and Kenneth N. Parkinson, bar
association secretary and chairman
of the panel which drew up these
proposals. Godfrey L. Munter, past
president of the District bar, also
signed the set of proposals.