Three Professors Attack Proposed State Ober Law

Three professors yesterday attacked as needless and dangerous the proposed Massachusetts bill to outlaw "subversive" activities and to require the loyalty oaths of all school and college teachers. The bill, modeled after Maryland's Ober Law, makes it illegal to teach the violent overthrow of the government. Those participating in groups branded as subversive by the courts would face fines and imprisonment.

The three professors contacted were Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. '88, associate professor of History, Kirtley F. Mather, professor of Geology, and Kenneth B. Murdock '16, Francis Lee Higginson Professor of English Literature.

Schlesinger stated: "There is no reason for having such a law unless there is a condition that necessitated it. This situation does not exist." He thought that Maryland's Ober Law is "far in excess of anything needed."

The three professors also agreed that the Supreme Court will declare the Maryland Law unconstitutional. A test case is now pending.

Mather thought the Massachusetts Legislature should wait until the Supreme Court decision is handed down before voting on the measure. He thought the Massachusetts bill is "terrible." The Maryland bill will probably be declared unconstitutional, he added.

Murdock thought that "all such bills are dangerous and unwise." He hoped the Supreme Court would declare it unconstitutional.

The proposed bill was recommended in a report made public yesterday by the Joint Legislative Committee to Curb Communism. The Committee was set up by legislative order last year and began investigations last January.