Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-20
ADA Adopts Stand
Against Red Party
After Floor Battle
sy tn. Assoeie,sd Press

Americans for Democratic -Ac-
ton last night adopted a civil
liberties proposal after one Of
the hottest floor fights in the
organizations seyen-year his
tory.
The upshot was that the. Or
ganization in annual convention
at the Shoreham Hotel took a
strong stand against the Com
munist Party as a conspiracy"
and supported energetic en-
forcement of laws against es-
pionage and sabotage. At the
same time, it proposed repeal
of provisions of the Communist
Control Act of 1854 and the
Smith Act. which it said limit
the right of free speech, free
association and free political ex-
preston.
The big battle developed over
a proposed amendment to a sec
ton on academic freedom which
would have added a phrase say
ing membership in any organi-
cation" should not be automatic
grounds to disqualify a teacher.
This was defeated 131 to lit
after a hot fight.
Refuses to Delete Phrase
Earlier. the convention re-
fused on a standing vote to de-
lete a phrase saying the Com
munist Party is a conspiracy to-
ward that end" meaning espion-
age and sabotage.
The convention also deleted
by an announced 5000 vote a
phrase including Communist
ideas" from a statement express
ing opposition to limiting the
right to advocate unpopular po-
litical proposals, including Com
munist ideas"
The ADA. formed in 1947, de-
scribes itself as an independent,
anti Communist organization
espousing liberal" principles.
Bresci Leonard, Pittsburgh,
Pa. who proposed eliminating
the phrase including Commu-
mist ideas" said ADA members,
in the past had been accused of
favoring Communists and the
phrase won't help ADA"
Those who wanted the phrase
left in said the ADA should
stand for the right of anyone
to advocate unpopular proposals,
even deservedly unpopular ones.
David Robinson. of the ADA
Cambridge, Mass, chapter, Of
fered the amendment saying
membership in any organiza-
ton" should not be automatic
ground to disqualify a teacher.
He said the Cambridge chapter
feels each case should be de-
cided on an individual basis"
Tired of Fighting Alone"
Larue Brown, Boston, chair
man of the subcommittee on
Civil Liberties. said, IF you want
to put ADA in favor of putting
in a teaching position a Com
munist, then you are for this
amendment"
Delegates arose in groups to
speak ON the amendment. One
said, II am a teacher and we
are getting tired of fighting
alone. We need the backing of
the liberals of the country. We
would be the first ones to re-
move from our faculty those who
are propagandists."
Another delegate said, frankly
I think liberals have grown up
by now. And we say If you are
a member of that organization
Communist Partyl. you are
putting your head in moose"
Said another: 1.-THE. point is
whether the Communist Party is
like any other organization or IS
not. / say it is not. 1t has a
discipline that makes every men,
Der a Soviet agent per Sc. No
member of the Communist Party
can be a teacher and follow the
dictates of his own conscience.
Joseph L. Rauh, jr.. a WASH
ington attorney and an ADA vice
chairman, finally ended the hot
exchange by making a plea
against highly emotional discus
sions. He said this was a false
issue" today because the truth
is there aren't any Communist
teachers left. Why add to our
backs an isue that does not
exist?"
Several more attempts to