The University Press's first venture into the paper-bound book business appeared on national news-stands yesterday. The subject for this experiment is "The Fifth Amendment Today," by Erwin N. Griswold, Dean of the Law School.

Griswold uses what he calls "conservative arguments, following naturally from the principles on which this country is founded," to justify the use of the Fifth Amendment.

The book links the right to refuse to testify with the abolition of torture "For three centuries this principle has been one of the fundamental decencies of the Angle-Saxon system."

Suggestions for improving the present procedures of Congressional Committees are also incorporated into the book, which argues that one of the major functions of government is to protect the citizen against government.