A FREE PRESS

Southland Times, Issue 22813, 12 February 1936, Page 7

A FREE PRESS

AMERICAN GUARANTEE TAX ON NEWSPAPERS ILLEGAL “HOSTILE MISUSE” (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, Feb. 10. In a sweeping decision the Supreme Court to-day unanimously reversed the Louisiana State tax on the gross receipts of newspapers, and enunciated a doctrine of constitutional guarantee of the freedom of the Press which is destined to rank as one of the historic documents in American history. The tax, which was one of the late Mr Huey Long’s measures and aimed not only to secure revenue but to give him a measure of control over the Press of the State, was declared unconstitutional by Mr Justice Sutherland, who wrote the decision. He said the tax had “a long history of hostile misuse against the freedom of the Press.” The Court made it clear that it was not intended to except newspapers from any ordinary form of taxation, but only to protect their recognized freedom from attacks cloaked under the guise of taxation.

“Since an informed public opinion is the most potent of all restraints upon a government, the suppression or abridgement of the publicity afforded by a free Press cannot be regarded otherwise than with grave concern,” stated the decision.