The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1950-09-07
House Passes Anti-Red Bill Called
Dangerous By Liberal, Labor Groups

w S n n o (LfAD - Dg q
sweeping 354 to 20, the House OF
Representatives passed the Wood
bill compelling the registration OF
every Communist party member
and of every "front" group con-
trolled by the Communists.
The bill is far harsher than leg
islation recommended by President
Truman, and is one of the several
measures sharply criticized as both
unworkable and dangerous by lib
eral and labor groups. Just before
final passage, the House rejected
a milder bill offered by Rep. En-
anuel Celler Cd, N.Y.. Early action
on Communist control legislation
was expected in the Senate.
The Wood bill was sponsored by
the House Un-American Activities
committee of which Rep. Johr
Wood I'd, Ga.) is a member. 1t
would require the Communist party
to register all its members with
the Department of Justice and re-
port on all their activities. "Front"
organizations also would have to
register as would their officers.
However, members of such 'fronts"
would be given a chance to get out
before their names were made pub
lie.
Communists would be barred
from obtaining passports. They
would not be allowed to send pro-
paganda through the mails unless
it was clearly labeled as such. 1t
would be illegal for a government
official or employe to contribute
funds or services to an organiza-
tion considered Communist.
Communists would not be allow
ed to hold government jobs. Indivi-
duals and groups helping Commun-
list organizations financially would
be denied normal income tax ex-
emptions. Government officials or
employees who knowingly allowed
classified military information or
related information reach Commun-
list spies would be fined up to $10,-
600 and imprisoned up to 10 years.
Anybody obtaining or trying to OBJ
tain such information would be
liable to the same penalties.
Meanwhile a five-man Subver-
sives Control Board would be estab-
lished. The board would decide
what organizations are Commun-
list "fronts" and which are Com
munist action" groups.
Seventeen Democrats and two
Republicans voted against the bill
Also voting against it was Rep.
Vito Marcantonio (ALP, N.Y., who
regularly votes the Communist
line. The other 10 saw the measure
as dangerous threat to civil lib
critics, doing far more harm than
Rep. Celler, one of those oppos-
ing the Wood bill, said his own
measure was similar to the Admin
istration bill except that he had
removed some immigration clauses.
President Truman had asked only
for registration of persons trained
abroad in espionage and subyersion,
a longer period before the statute
of limitations bars prosecution for
spying, greater authority to lay
down security rules for military in
stallations and tighter controls
over deportable aliens.
Attorney General j. Howard Nc
Grath has opposed registration of
Communists, saying it would be
ineffective. He said a Commun-
ist organization required to regis
ter could simply dissolve itself,
then reappear with a new name and
a new set of officers" In addi-
tion, he said, proposed penalties
can be applied under existing law.
McGrath pointed out that Com
munists are already excluded from
federal employment and that the