Salt Lake Telegram | 1931-06-02 | Page 4 | Gag Law Invalid

p GAG LAW INVALID OF the highest importance to all Americans Amer- Amer leans is the supreme court decision de declaring declarIng de- de claring daring the Minnesota gag law invalid The d decision cislon is based on the constitutional guaran guarantee e of a free press It removes the fetters letters which would have bound publications by censorship It r recites cites that ample protection protection protection tion is afforded citizens by criminal laws punishing those who print libelous news and other untruthful m matter Censorship of liny ny sort is unpalatable in America When it attacks the press it Is in in- in sufferable The press In the United States is the one medium through which the citizenship citizenship citi citi- of the country maintains Its control of government Through the newspapers of America the public is told of the plans and policies of government business and social Institutions Through these same mediums I of r f e expression the public itself becomes vocal Common knowledge becomes current as each day rolls around Unity of thought and ac action action ac- ac action tion is maintained Two significant paragraphs of the de decIsion decision decision de- de are quoted Charges of reprehensible conduct and particularly of official malfeasance unquestionably unquestionably unquestionably create a public scandal but the theory theory the the- ory of 01 the constitutional guaranty Is that even a more serious public evil would be caused by authority to prevent tion IC S the administration of government has become more complex the opportunities for malfeasance and corruption have multiplied multiplied multiplied multi multi- plied crime has grown to most serious proportions proportions pro pro- portions and the danger of its protection by unfaithful officials and of the impairment of the fundamental security of life and property property prop prop- erty by criminal alliances and official ne neglect neglect neglect ne- ne emphasizes the primary need of a vIgilant vigilant vig vIg- ilant and courageous press especially in great cities