◆ SpookStack

o CO have set off a great wave of criticism by werious members of Congress. When the WRIA SCRE OR dag a pee OTT a eee court ruled recently in favor of 14 Cali- En ve, ‘John T. Watkins, who had been convicted "of contempt of Congress, Rep. Howard Smith (D-Va.) said bitterly, “I do not recall any case decided by the present court that the Communists have lost.” And that is the gist of the current up wreanar aus Five of the 14 California Communists ~were freed outright, and the others were granted new trials. Watkins, who ad- mitted working with Reds in the labor movement, was freed on a technicality. Chief Justice Warren said there is no congressional power to expose for the ‘sake of exposure. How Warren arrived at _this remarkable conclusion will make for ‘interesting debate. If what he says is true, then the FBI and all congressional ‘investigating committees may as well close shop, for their prime purpose is exposure of enemies of the nation. In the words of Rep. Jenner (R-Ind.), the decisions handed down by the court mean the Communists can go where they . wish and do what they want to do, in- eluding teaching in schoola and moving back inte labor unions. In the words of our own Sen. Sam Ervin, “the justices have shown a willingness fer some time td aubstitute their ewn persona] emotions fér the law of the land.” Perhaps Sen. McClellan (D-Ark.), ehalrtmen of the Senate Investigation : ; _ Bas 1957 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS a Two new U. 8S. Supreme Court decisions fornia Communists, and in the case of { a subcommittee, was right when he pointed | out that the country needs g Supreme { Court of lawyers with a reasonable amount of common sense. And naturally, under the court ruling on Watking, Arthur Miller will promptly appeal his recent conviction on a similar contempt of Congress charge. If the line of rean- oning taken by the court holds up, there is no reason to expect that Miller will not be freed also, . Justice Harlan, writing for the major- ity, said “preaching abstractly the forci- ble overthrow of the government is no crime under the Smith Act. The essential distinction is that those to whom the ‘advocacy is addressed must be urged to do something, now - or in the future, rather than merely to believe in some- thing.” This is abstract reasoning of the first order, at a time when solid action against the inroads of subversion is Mr. T Me Rei r. - Boat! a Mz Budmou Mion co Mr. Pars Se Mr. Ros a ° Mr. Tamm |! Mr. Nease Tele. Room______ J, Mr. Holloman -}y ; Miss Gandy 7 | NER (he Evening Telegra Rocky Mount, N. 6-19-57 Vv. Fe Sechriest, Editor needed more than ivory tower, intellec- tual discussion. Communists care little for the abstract. What they are interested in is the fur- ther advance of Soviet influence to the detriment of American interests. It seems istrange that almost everyone can recog- nize the dangers of communism except the robed members of the U. 8. Supreme Court. —_—- f I i. tg AQT RECORDED 44 JuL 1? 1957 on eiieiidimnened ————