The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1950-05-19
HIGHL lights FROM Sen. LANGER'S
DISSENT ON kIUNDT-FERGUS0N BILL

views and policies are considered to
be dangerous.
eff the board does not like the
Liberal Party of New York-and 8
great many people | understand dc
not like it-they could bar it. Talk
about a bill comforting great deal
of power. Here we have it. In my
state, if they do not like the Non
partisan League, they could bar it.
Many people do not like the Nonpar-
tisan League because we were sue
cessful in promoting measures where
by the state owns its own bank,
writes its own insurance, and owns
its own state mill and elevator. 1t
can be readily understood why GER
tain people do not like a political
organization of that kind. Here it
is proposed to give the board power
to outlaw it.
Under those vague powers
trade unions and other organiza-
tions which may seek to alter the
status quo or oppose this or that
governmental policy, by lawful
means, with no evil intent, could
be branded as traitorous agents of
foreign governments or move
ments Their members could be
relegated to the position of sec
ond-class citizens-made subject to
economic and social outlawry.
II, h. 70 oh
alton, voluntary associations of citi-
zens would be compelled to conduct
witch hunts to determine the views
md associations of their members
o fear to express their views on any
controversial questions, to encourage
heir members to spy and inform on
ach other.
1t is proposed to punish as crime
mere membership in an organization |
which has failed to destroy itself by |
clustering when ordered to do so,
o make criminal the agreement to do |
ny act, however innocent and law |
Ill, which a court might find would
contribute to the estab-
shment within the United States of
totalitarian dictatorship
In the atmosphere created by
this bill the American tradition of
freedom could only stifle and die.
"'That is why the trade-union
movement represented by the AFL,
he CIO and the Brotherhood of
railroad Trainmen, has expressed
igorous opposition to this bill. That
) why the National Farmers Union
as opposed the principles which I'M
erie this bill. That is why the Ma
onal Association for the Advance :
tent of Colored People, and the :
merican Jewish Congress have ex- :
ressed their opposition to such a
Ill. That is why the American Civ
Liberties Union and the National
awyers Guild have opposed the bill
I" That is why the most disting- :
shed constitutional lawyers, in
uding those whose opinions were
'ught by the Senate Judiciary Com :
ittee, have said that the principles :
hich underlie this bill are repug-
ant to the Constitution, which ev- 9
y Senator is sworn to uphold. :
hese authorities include the late :
narles Evans Hughes, Jr., John W. :
avis, Seth w. Richardson, chairman :
the Loyalty Review Board, and :
Chaffee, Jr. of Harvard. :
What emergency can be point :
d to as a. possible justification :
or this departure from our con- :
principles which have :
erved us so well for more than =
SO years and through two world
,ars? =
Ours is the strongest government :
d nation in the world. Does any :
e seriously believe that it can =
We anything to fear from the con- :
ued exercise of constitutional :
.l,4- L