Manion, Thomas Dispute Values of U.N. at Forum

Clarence Manion last night charged that the United Nations is leading the U.S. towards "subjection to the dictatorship" of the other people of the world "by subterfuge and indirection."

He appeared with opposing speaker Norman Thomas to debate the problem of the U.S. and the U.N. in the Law School Forum at the Rindge Technical High School auditorium.

Manion, Chairman of "For America," preceded socialist Norman Thomas, six time presidential candidate, on the program. He postulated that the only excuse for the U.N. was as a "transmission belt to World Government," but that this real issue of the desirability of world government should be approached with "forthright admission and free discussion."

Manion, who claimed he has held the same views since 1933, then said that international government would be a "menace to the sovereignty and constitutional integrity of this country."

Thomas staunchly defended the U.N. in his rebuttal, stating that "Its very existence suggests a possible alternative to World War III," and that it broadcasts the "moral conscience of world opinion." He pointed out that the expense of the U.N. to the U.S. was only the cost of one half-day of another World War.

Attacking Manion's conception of a future world government, Thomas said, regarding the possible subjugation of the richer America to the demands of the poorer peripheral countries, that in the U.S. "the poor have robbed the rich very unsuccessfully." Thomas said that new issues and problems have come up since 1933, which required a more liberal interpretation of the constitution.