Speech #770185060

It is not made up of "fellow travelers." It is not in sympathy with any such policy or principle. It went on record in a published report against legislation of this sort. The House of Representatives had passed a bill naming Harry Bridges. and deporting him by act of Congress. The bill came to the Senate and was sent to the Committee on Immigration. The committee amended it so as to provide for an investigation. The bill was never passed. but while it was pending the American Bar Association made this statement. *hich is contained in its reports: A bill was recently passed by the House of Representatives calling for the deportation by name of a particular alien. Harry Bridges. We express no view as to whether this man should be deportedAnd we express no view here as to whether this man. Watson. should have been employed or whether he should be continued in the employment of the Government. The American Bar Association said: We express no view as to whether this man should be deported. But on the question of procedure the bill in question. whether or not constitutional. seems plainly contrary to the spirit of our institutions. He. like any other alien. should have a hearing under a general law applicable to all under similar circumstances. We understand that the bill at present Is not being pressed by the Senate. but that a new investigation Is being made as to his deportability under the general terms of the amended Immigration Act. This course is proper. whereas the other would be contrary to the American constitutional system. at least In spirit if not in letter. That is the language of the American Bar Association on a constitutional privilege involving the deportation of an alien. If the American Bar Association. made up of lawyers. for the most part conservative lawyers. takes that position with respect to a congressional act naming some man to be deported by act of Congress. certainly we ought not to violate that principle which they properly lay down in determining whether we should by legislative act dismiss a man and thereby violate the Constitution in passing what amounts to a bill of attainder.