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: a ® if t , | ae ae Gongress and Control of Subversives FBI Director J, Edgar Hoover has pointed out to Congress that decisions of the U. S. Supreme Court have resulted in the freeing of 49 Communist Party lead- qrs convicted by federal juries under the ipnspiracy and membership provisions of fe Smith act. } Mainly, this revegsal of convictions has been the result of th® Supreme Court de- cision of Jast June 17 holding that "theo- reljca) advocacy" of violent overthrow of the government, in the absence of actual incitement to such action, is not a crime. he Senate judiciary committee has ap- oved a bill designed, among other things, label the teaching or advocacy of over- ow of the government by force or vio~ Ypnce or by the assassination of any of its officers, as criminal even if there is fo incitement to immediate action. Senator Hennings of Missouri has branded this bill as “one of the most irre-_ sponsible pieces of serious legislation re= ported by a committee to the Senate since T have been a member.” We do not see how this charge could have justification, Clearly, Congress has the right and t duty to pass laws, and to class certain ac as criminal. The Supreme Court has fh right to review these laws and interpret them in the light of the Constitution. In passing on the Smith act, the court said in effect that Congress did not perform its function as well as it intended. Surely there can not be anything irresponsib! Congres:| now acting to make its intent as clear 4nd unmistakable as possible. \ Mr. M.. Rowen Mr. Tamm .. Me cer, Mr. Clayton. Tele, Rown Mr. iotloma Miss Gandy ¥ 62. Q1Sb9- A NOT RECORT 4 ee ee - Editorial - "Ft. Worth Star Telegram" Ft. Worth, Texas, 5/11/58 John Ellis, Editor