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| ‘ularly by Southerners—not onl —A-Communist Field Day There is understagtigble conresa in Con- gress over the U. S. fr Court's latest decision on Communists which some feel virtually give Red plotters in this country the most effective go-ahead signal they have had in years. The Supreme Court has become for all practical purposes the American lawmak- ing body in the field of civil rights and civil liberties. Its rulings have had the effect of law in the huge vacuum left by Congress which has passed practically no civil rights legis- lation in the 20th century. The court may turn out to be President. Eisenhower's most memorable monument. He has appointed four of the nine members: Chief Justice Warren and Justices Harlan, Brennan, and Whittaker. He may have to name more before his term is up, if there are further deaths and retirements. Under Warren’s leadership the court has become far-reaching in its decisions on civil rights—most notably its ban on seg- regation in public schools—and on civil liberties. It has been roughly criticized—partic- on segre- ation but for its opinions on Communists nd Fifth Amendment cases. One thing ure: ; The court has made it tougher for t overnment to prosecute-—or perhaps ma it more cautious about beginning prosecu- tions—while giving defendants more con- stitutional protection than they've ever en- joyed. * +. 4@ - It would’ be impractical here to go into all the decisions of the court in the past few years in the related fields of civil rights and ewil liberties, : ’ Same of its rulings on Communism have had a tremendous eflect. For instance, yes- terday the court threw out the convictions of 14 California Communists under the 1940 Smith Act, freeing five and ordering new trials for the other nine. It was under this same act the 11 top Communists were convicted several years ago. But this decision was based on technical- {ties and will not necessarity interfere with the government's ability to try other Com- munists under other sections of the act. | A year ago the court knocked Eisenhow- ers Federal Emnlove Security nraeram imta | Miss Gandy. ah ae Tele. Room . Vr. Ho sigman Paterson Evening News Paterson, N, J. Date: 6-18-57 Editorial Harry B. Haines Publisher & Editor “7 ( be. 2750 Or NOT PMaccoan: 5 L6(JUL 18 -S57 —— oc