State Group Favors Literature Censors

The proposed Massachusetts censorship board yesterday gained initial approval from a legislative committee.

The committee of state administration approved a bill for the creation of a two-man board to review all books and magazines before they can be sold in the Bay State.

The board would be made up of an appointee of the Attorney General and one man named by the Commissioner of Public Safety.

Under this bill, book and magazine dealers would be required to secure annual licenses. The sale of unapproved publications could be punished by fines up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail.

As it stands, the censorship bill does not affect films.