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or cere ees yelyepst oye e Guilt of Rosenbergs To the Editor ; On two sugcessive Sundays, The Times ed a play en ainst Julius and rg” which had a Cleveland. The first review’ appeared in the Arts apa $aisure Section of Apnil 20, geder Julius Novick’s by-line. The second was pub- lished in the news section of April 27, by Clive Barnes. Tms generous allocation of space would evoke no comment - from mie except for two citcum- stances. The play does not purport to be a fictionalized productron based upon an historical event. It pretends to be a “documen- tary” presentation of the “tryth,”” The play presents the Rosen- bergs as innocent of the cnme of which they were convicted. Mr. Novick wrote that although he was “ready to believe that the Rosenbergs were innocent,” he found the play “tenden- tious” Mr. Barnes, on whether the Rosenbergs were innocent, wrote, “Perhaps. I still beheve 60.” Both thus become more than drama critics. They have ventured into the wnting of history. ff 90, those of us who know something of the judicial process have a right to inquire what credentials either of these writers bears entitling him to express an opinion in a respon- sible journal on a subject of this importance The gravity of the accusation made by both wniters has prob- ably escaped their notice, but in fact they have declared that American justice 1s so treacher- ous a tool that despite the long and elaborate process of sifting and resifting which occurred in the Rosenberg case, despite the earnest efforts of the long array of judges known for their extraordinary devotion to hu- man liberty, it has produced a wrong and wicked result in this fase. a oe ote wee ie . . lend fuel to the fires of ereient day rebellion by violence which is afflicting our crhes, our un- versities and other sensitive areas of our society. It con- stitutes another charge of vi- cious brutality leveled at a gen- eration at which the present younger set has already learned to look with contempt. The facts do not support the unwarranted aspersions by these critics on American jus- tice as it was displayed in the Rosenberg case. The Rosenbergs were con- victed by the unanimous ver- dict of the jury at a trial in which counsel for the defense, on three occasions, before ver- dict, after verdict and at sen- tence, expressed to Judge Irv- ing R. Kaufman, who presided, warm appreciation for the man- ner in whfch the trial was conducted. He said, “The Court conducted itself as an Amencan Judge ” i should hate to believe Mr. Novick’s statement that it ia part of the received traditian . of liberals that the Rosenbergs were innocent, It would not do credit to their intelligence or judgment. Memory fades as the years roll by, but I am prepared to challenge the assertion that liberals generally held so mis- guided a view. The law is our last remaining anchor in this troubled era. If: that goes, if faith in the proc- esses of law 1s eroded, we shall have no shelter against the bru- tality and the vinlence which have become the instruments of the present day ea-called re- form. We shall then each hide in our own separate burrow, in a Jungle where no one is free and no one is safe. Simon H, Rirxinp _ New York, May 2, 1969 Mer . ee adh ¢t — Bi TOW eportas ta "TA. -188 2-— Poe Wastidon Post Praies Terald The Witsbingtein Daily Neavs Vhe bvening Star ?Washingteat Vhee Sitelay Star (Weshinetont! Dialy News (Now York? Sunday News (Nite Yoork) Lé Vhe Sun Battier) __. —_. Whee Pranks thoi — coe Vhee Now Lasideer Vio Wall Street Jecurriidl New York Thost 02 Vho Noss York Paines Vhoo Neatbomal fabs eryeer Pascal's World Pisanine rr (Woashanpteant MAY fe sop Pviate ‘9 fo¢