Speech #750024361

We tried to restrict the language so that it applied only to those intended to be reached. We tried to make it as clearcut and definite as we could to meet the theory of its proponents on this theory. There is no doubt there are a lot of people here engaged in scattering unlawful propaganda in this country who ought to be deported. There is no question about that. However. we have no State laws that I know ofat least. as far as I know. we have none in Ohiowhich deal with the man who scatters propaganda against the Government unless the offense rises to the enormity of treason. I suppose we could reach him in that way. but all such actions are usually reached by the Federal authorities. We are dealing with a new crime. making it unlawful to engage in scattering propaganda and providing the punishment of deportation. In this country everybody is engaged more or less in politics. everybody. at least. who amounts to anything. Everyone who has the welfare of the country at heart is engaged somewhat in politics. Now. what kind of politics? Sometimes. if one listens to the speeches on the floor of the House. the way one Member recriminates another. one might think we would all be deportable. under that interpretation of the bill. However. in justice to this bill. I may say it is not intended to mean this. I understand it is intended to meet these agitators from foreign countries who would overthrow the Government of our country if this would serve their purposes. As heretofore stated. "political activities" is broad and may have potentialities that we should search out carefully. Surely it cannot be so farreaching as to permit an overzealous political worker to hold a club over honorable aliens living in the United States pending their naturalization should they seek to take an interest in public questions and hold and express views not in agreement with those of the political worker. I know it is not the intention of the proponents of the bill that it should be used to bring about such a result. The whole question is. Are we not going too far in trying to do something that no doubt should be done? Would it not be better if the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization would take this bill up again and bring out a bill that they can defend vigorously and explain readily. There is here the nucleus of an effective statute. To be effective. however. it must seek to do something definite and should do it in clear. definite language.