Speech #740127539

It is interesting to note that the section of the bill he claims to have originated does not contain any discretion. is absolutely mandatory. and seems to be far the severest and most strained of any section or provision in the bill. If severity needs any such discretionary qualification as he suggests. it would seem that his section 3 should be so qualified. because it makes the mere carrying of " any dangerous weapon ". and a bowie knife or any other similar common convenience in some parts of our country would come within the wording of "a crime involving moral turpitude ". when. of course. as a matter of fact there is no moral turpitude in an alien cotton croppers carrying around In his pocket a big knife of that kind. or even a stiletto in certain other parts of the country. My understanding also is that neither the Crimes Commission nor the American Bar Association has gone on record in favor of discretion in these deportation cases. and that what the majority of the members of the Crime Commission and the Bar Associations special crimes committee favor is Senate bill 22. that was introduced In the Senate January 4. 1935. by Senators COPELAND. VANDENBERG. and MURRAY-