Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-10-15
Congress Members
Hail Convictions, Urge
Breakdown on Reds
By the Associated Press

IrdCkd0Wn on kedS
By the Associated Pres.
The conviction of II national
Communist leaders in New York
stirred demands in Congress to-
day for State and local crack
downs, backed by laws to root
out Communists II they 60 under
ground.
Representative Velde. Republi-
can, of Illinois said the staff Of
the House Un-American Activities
Committee has been "alterted" to
the possibility that the Commu-
mist Party may publicly dissolve
with It's members operating there
after from behind the scenes.
Party officials have disclaimed
any such intention.
Capitol Hill greeted the New
York jury's verdict with almost
unanimous acclaim, although
r epresen a tive Marcantonio
American Labor Party, of New
York, called it as blow to 1.-The
basic American right of free polit-
ical opinion and free political
association"
Most members of the House and
Senate declared the decision
should establish to every one s
satisfaction that the Communist
Party's purpose is the overthrow
OF the Government by violence.
Drive on Subversives Seen.
Some saw in the jury's action q
signal for a national drive to wipe
out all "subversive" elements in
the country.
Mr.. Velde, a member of the Un-
American Activities group, said:
II sincerely hope that the end
of this long trial will be but the
beginning Of a crusade to wipe out
forever the remaining forces of
subversion and espionage in the
United States of America"
He said Attorney General Nc
Grath should hasten final DISPOSE
ton of the case through the courts
Of appeal, so similar prosecution
can be brought against State and
local Communist leaders.
Senator Mundt, Republican. of
South Dakota declared the New
York convictions emphasize the
need for speedy passage of the
Mundt-Nixon bill. which he helped
write last year.
This bill would: Require Com
muniSts and Communist-front or
CARNATIONS to register with the
Attorney General; deny Govern
ment jobs to members Of such or
CARNATIONS, and require American
Communists to sever their links
with the Communist Interna-
tionale.
It provides for a maximum fine
of $4,000 and imprisonment up
to 10 years.
Would Bar Secret Activity.
Senator Mundt said the bill
would outlaw secret activities by
Communists and require them to
Operate in the open"
THE Mundt-Nixon BILL" Sena-
tor Mundt said, makes Commu-
nists cut the umbilical cord bind
ing them to mother Russia or SUI
fer the consequences for their dis
loyal and un-American activities.
There were differences Of opin-
ion, however, over whether a new
law is needed to deal with Com
munists in this country.
Chairman Celler Of the House
judiciary Committee said that If
the higher courts uphold the con-
victions, under the law against
Indictment to overthrow the Gov
eminent by violence, "this would
indicate that the law now is suf-
ficient."
Some members voiced doubt
that Congress, under the Con-
stitution, can outlaw the Com
munist Party as such.
Whatever its future. the party
never has polled much more than
100000 votes in the three presi-
Dental elections in which 1t put
up its own candidates.
House Applauds Verdict.
Applause rang out in the House
chamber as Representatives Scriv-
ner, Republican, of Kansas and
Quinn, Democrat. of New York
announced the New York verdict.
Many members issued state
ments. House Majority Leader
Mccormack summed up the re-
action in these words:
1.-THE jury performed its duty
courageously.. I have known all
along that the Communist Party
and its members are conspirators
against this country. They are
loyal to but one country. Rus
Sia."
Outside of Congress, there were
some dissenting voices.
Roger N. Baldwin, director of
the American Civil Liberties Un-
ion, held that mo overt acts were
proved" against the II Commu-
nists. and added:
''The average juryman can
hardly be expected to distinguish
between Communist propaganda
and the advocacy Of overthrow of
the Government by force"
Former Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral o. John Rogge-now chair
man Of the Executive Committee
of the National Council Of Arts,
Sciences and Professions - COM
mented:
l.: l.