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ANERICAI CNIL LIGERUIES CHDN, 17G FIFTH AVENVE, HEN YON 10, N.Y. ERNEST ANCEL MORRIS L.ERNST FATLCY MURPHY MALINE Chairmen General Counsel Board of Drcon 36387 Srecuive Liector ORegon 5.5990 Pbi 2igtions Cie reekly Bulletin #1730 ACLU CRITICIEES FEDERAL LGINITY LA The American Ciil Literties lnion recently criticized the 1934 er constitutionality. The high court heard the appeal of willian Ludwig Ullmann, convicted for contempt last Niarch fer failing ts testify before a federal grand jur: in s York City investigating Iorld war II espionage, although granted immunity fr M Gar prosecution. Patrick riurphy Malin, Aclu executive director, said that the civil libertis. group's sole interest was the constitutionality and wisdom cf the i95i: la, which was ceing tested for the first tire in the Jllnann case. He emphasizai that tho ACLU's statement was not a criticism of the grand jury's investigati f espionage. nThe l95h immunity law establish9s chat, followirg the-approval o a fadaral. co irt, imsunity from prosecuticn can be granted to persons who cculd 3:terrire rely on their constituti:ral privilege against self-incrimination in retusirg to give testinony to ccngressional committees and grand juries. It was violative of ciril llisrties, and we are still firmly opposed :o it. tur grant, the self-degradaticn suffered by witresses who are reauired to ssstify . atout past ac+ivities --- which may not be crininal --. and that incrr,ion . about Soanur.ist activi les -- the main purpose of the law -- is alreauy a yailable. ,sstify before federal' agencies will also be protected against state ::ssazu.aon. hat give'possible incrininatirg evirience and he does not know what his I ...: iy covers, beir.g observed. rno nThe Acsu corsiders the irmunity law as unwise because we heliery tr.e past rulirgs of judgss of varicus courts should still apply, tr.st : ear to force a perscn tc condern himself by his cun vords The Fi rotection against seif-insri:inaticn is rocted in ths histericsl 5 mair.tain their rolitical tsiieis despite government efforts . itters coui sut.sct them to severe punishnent. t tt.ey cond be deniei passports and govarunont. employment, or inder the 1s0 In ' possible inprisorment, +s.notertially dangorcus in a tine or nat : SFp 10 1973 rnd ary te ren purese of tho irry law is t aid ccn. 3 Javestisntiry tsrioys pharus cr Grnenian by forcing poupis inforrntin on this subject The Acl reconises the dang 1000 XI.RCXED ORIGINAL-RETAIN I. sshversioni and has ngver opposed inquiry and action by p: