Evening star., 1948-05-23
Bar President Warns
Against Imposing
World Bill Of Rights

FRANK %. f1OlIIldIl, pTGSlQtut-6tcCt
of the American Bar Association,
yesterday cautioned the United
States ''to stop, look and listen"
long and carefully before attempting
to impose an international bill OF
human rights on its own people and
the rest of the world.
He compared a proposed United
Nations covenant and declaration
on human rights to "a Pandora S
box of international irritations" and
sharply criticized such Catch
phrases and slogans as One World
and Mr.. Wallace's Comman Man"
The Seattle lawyer, in a speech
at the Mayf1ower Hotel before an
assembly of Bar Association mem
bers, also challenged the claim that
the proposed human rights pro-
gram would contribute to world
peace. He declared he did not agree
with those who believe war can be
prevented by the "uplift of the
common man" and disputed conten-
tions; that the last two wars were
caused by any social or economic
difficulties affecting the common
man."
Iowa Judge Presides.
With three other members of the
Section of International and Com
parative Law, Mr.. Holman took part
in a panel discussion Of the human
rights program. Judge Frederick
M. Miller of Des Moines, chairman
Of the section, presided over the
discussion at a mid-year luncheon.
Others on the panel we're James
P. Hendrick of the State Depart
ment; Herzel H. E. Plains, special
assistant to the Attorney General,
and Charles w. Tillett, chairman
of the sections committee on the
United Nations. Both Mr.. Hendrick
and Mr.. Plains are advisers to Mrs.
Eleanor Roosevelt, American dele
gate on the UN Commission on
Human Rights.
Mr.. Holman, who said he spoke
in unofficial" capacity, launched
an attack on various proposals in
the covenant and declaration.
He cautioned delay, for one rea-
son, because he declared I'VE are
living in an era of domestic and
international confusion" and "do our
thinking in terms of catch phrases"
Mr.. Holman charged that "Mr.
Wallace's Common Man" slogan was
aimed chiefly at changing the
"foundamental things" safeguarded
in this country for over century.
"Why the Hurry" He Asks.
He declared it took II years for
our forefathers to agree to the
American Bill of Rights, yet pro-
ponents of the U. N. proposal want
to force it upon the people after
a few months of debate"
why the hurry?" Mr.. Holman
demanded. why should United
States citizens have so short a time
to consider the language and inter-
pretations of these documents?"
Mr.. Holman declared the covenant
contains no provisions to protect the
rights of private property, or to
guarantee free participation in
Government" and protection of the
citizen against unreasonable search
and seizure"
He warned, also, that you can
not guarantee freedom of move
ment and residence" to all the
peoples of the world.
Mr.. Hendrick compared the views
on the covenant expressed by vari-
GUS nations, chiefly Australia and
France. The United States view
applies to tightly drawn covenant
so that we will know where we are
going" he contended.
Sixteen Rights Enumerated.
The declaration on human rights,
Mr.. Plains declared, stands next
to the Charter of the United Ma
tions in Importance and appeal.
Enumerating the 16 individual
rights mentioned in the covenant,
MI. Plains admitted that guaran-
teeing them under law remains one
OF the most dlfncult OF all problems
before the Commission on Human
Rights.
Mr.. Tillett, who discussed broad
economic phases, declared he def
nitely favored the inclusion of eco
nomic rights in the Charter" There
should be freedom from malnutri-
ton and unemployment, freedom to
work, freedom from disease and Ill
housing, as we'll as freedom from
racial and religious discrimination" :"
he declared.
Among others taking part in the
general program were William L.
Ransom, editor of the ABA journal
and former president of the asso-
citation; Jack B. Tate, assistant
legal adviser in the State Depart
ment, and Charles S. Rhyme, vice