The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1950-09-29

IamlIlar statement. in free coun-
try, we punish men for the crimes
they commit, but never for the opin-
ions they have. And the reason this
is so fundamental to freedom is not,
as many suppose, that it protects the
few unorthodoX from suppression by
the majority. To permit freedom of
expression is primarily for the bene-
fit of the majority because it pro-
tects criticism, and criticism leads to
progress.
'WOULD BETRAY OUR FINEST
TRADITIONS"
We can and we will prevent espion-
age, sabotage, or other actions en-
dangering our national security. But
we would betray our finest traditions
if we attempted as this bill would at
tempt, to curb the simple expression
of opinion. This we should never do,
no matter how distasteful the opin-
ion may be to the vast ajority of our
people. The course proposed by this
bill would delight the Communists,
for it would make mockery of the
Bill of Rights and of our claims to
stand for freedom in the world.
And what kind of effect would |
these provisions have on the normal !
expression of political views? OBJ
viously, if this law were on the stat
ute books, the part of prudence would |
be to avoid saying anything that might
be construed by someone as not devi-
ating sufficiently from the current
Communist propaganda line. And
since no one could be sure in advance
What views were safe to express, the
Inevitable tendency would be to ex-
)reSS no views on controversial sub
ects.
The result could only be to reduce
he vigor and strength of our political {
ife-an outcome that the Commun- 5
SITS would happily welcome, but that
rec men should abhor.
We need not fear the expression {
of ideas-we do need to fear their
suppression. j
Our position in the vanguard of Z
reedom rests largely on our demon 5
5ration that the free expression of r
pinion, coupled with government by n
opular consent, leads to national II
,rength and human advancement. g
eft us not, in covering and foolish Il
ear, throw away the ideals which
re the Fundamental basis of our free c
,ciety. a
Not only are the registration pro- o
sions of this bill unavoidable and c
angerous, they are also grossly mis- s
aiding in that all but one of the OBJ e
ctives which are claimed for them a
e already being accomplished by q
her and superior methods-and the y
lie objective which is not now being o.
;complished would not in fact be ac- ,
mplished under this bill either u
1t is claimed that the bill would c.
divide information about the Com III
unist Party and its members. The ei
ct is, the FBI already possesses Sc
ny complete sources of information III
ncerning the Communist movement OF
this country. If the FBI must dis "
)se its sources of information in w
bile hearings to require registra- "A
n under this bill, its present sources W.
information, and it's ability to ac- y
ire new information, will be large m
destroyed. u
1t is claimed that this bill would u
ny income-tax exemption to Com nc n
mist organizations. The fact is IN
at the Bureau of Internal Revenue tlC
eady denies income tax exemption al
such organizations. oo
1t is claimed that this bill would q :;
ny passports to Communists. The Dl
It is that the Government can and IN
es deny passports to Communists po
der existing law. u.
1t is claimed that this bill would az
ohibit the employment of Commun- u
3 by the Federal Government. The vl'
It is that the employment of Com Clo
lnists by the Federal Government rel
already prohibited and, at least in az
, executive branch, there is an eff eA
tive program to see that they are oP
employed uo
It is claimed that this bill would au
ohibit the employment of Commun- IN
5 in defense plants. The fact is Loi
It it would be years before this bill M
uld have any effect of this nature or
f it ever would. Fortunately, this
ective is already being substan- ito
lily achieved under the present pro- the
lures of the Dept. of Defense, and or
the Congress would enact one of the
provisions [ have recommended I'm
which it did not include in this bill the
he situation would be entirely TAX try
care of, promptly and effectively. pri
t is also claimed-and this is the ter
new objective of the registration der
visions of this bill-that it would nee
1,r.L