The Old Refrain

Contrary to the sanguine predictions of those who thought Governor Dever's signature on a recent red bill spelt the end of communist control legislation, Representatives McInerney and Keenan have proven that it takes more than one surrender to end the unspeakably traditional custom of presenting red bills every January.

So traditional is this custom that the anti-subversive measures currently up for consideration are almost word-for-word copies of last year's red bills. Keenan has taken over sponsorship of the McCarthy-Dorgan bill instructing college presidents and trustees to expel professors, teachers and others who "support or advocate" communism. The Committee on Education has yet to schedule a hearing on this.

McInerney and Representative Donlan are competing for the privilege of resuscitating the Committee to Curb Communism. So far, McInerney is well in the lead; his effort has already gone through the Committee on State Administration while Donlan has yet to prepare a formal petition.

As usual, none of these bills could, if passed, catch anyone but the innocent. As usual, none of them pay any attention to protecting individual rights against abuses. And as usual, those who point out these faults can expect to be met with cries of "hairsplitting." In fact, the only unusual aspect of this legislation is that it proves the futility of appeasing red-baiters.