New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-26
Conferrees
Adopt Drastic
Censorship
s.nator Denounces New
Section as Worst Yet
Proposed
Johnson Points Out
"Vicious" Features
Governments Official Bull
,letin Ridiculed for Con-
Trajectory News"

,,pionage bill to-day, which is declared
~ onponents OF a press gag, including
s.,stor Hiram Johnson, to be worse
"a, ANYTHING so far proposed, with the
.,;,rle exception Of the original CEN
.,.bip section" drawn by the Depart
cent Of Justice.
The language was especially drafted,
is understood. 10 meet the objections
:. some vsvering opponents Of censor
a;p in the House. In the Senate, so
az as could be learned. the vote
,s.inst any censorship at all would be
h-rer II taken now on the new section
a,r when the majority for striking
m. mildcr censorship provision
sss u.
Text of New Section
The text Of the new section follows;
When the United States is at war, the
ryblishing wiliully Of Information win
-,sn>ct % the movement. numbers, equip
r.nt description or disposition OF any OF
~. armed forces Of the United States in
-.vxl or military operations, or with re-
,pee, 10 any Of the works intended for The
fertilization or defence OF any place. which
,rforrstion is or may be useful 10 the
.nsrsy is hereby prohibited. and the Presi-
6ert may from time 10 time by proclana-
ton declare the character of such above
se,eribed information, which IS or may be
useful TO the enemy. and in any prosecu-
ton hereunder the jury trying the cause
shsu determine not only whether the de-
Il "A x-fffulf.y rl.bltsh such informal
ton A. set out IN the indictment, but also
~hstbsr such information was OF such
rsaracte- as was or might have been use
fll 70 the enemy provided. that nothing
In this section shall be construed TO limit
or restrict any discussion. comment or crit
iei.n OF the acts or policies OF the govern
-s.nt or its representative. or the publics-
ton Of the same.
whoever violates this section shall. upon
conviction thereof. be punished by fine
Of no, more than $4,000 or by iu1prison-
rsni for not more than five years. or both.
Johnson Calls 1t Vicious
The censorship provision agreed
upon by the conferrees to-day is worse
BY far. moro drastic, more vicious, more
worthy OF condemnation than any
oi.cr suggested provision with the
.nele exception of the original censor
.hip section introduced with the bill
self" said Senator Johnson, Of Cali
iornia.
Its most vicious feature rests in the
Use Of the words which information is
or nay be useful 70 the enemy h
continued. at is vicious in permitting
BY its terms any man 10 make rules and
regulations. prescribing and defining
the character Of such information as
NAY or may not be used. The clause
making jury trials necessary is abso-
'siely meaningless. Under every cir
tumstsnce IN crimina trial the jury
would pass on every issuable fact. This
proposed section adds absolutely moth
ing 10 existing statutory law. The ques-
ton of the application of martial law
IS not even mentioned.
"Under the terms OF this proposed
section the power of the subordinates
vhom the President is authorized 20
appoint is absolutely limitless, and the
interpretations which such subordi-
rate may place upon information of one
sort or another Is limited only by the
ingenuity OF the man who writes the
rules and regulations and then inter
nrsts them"
"The Official Bulletin" reading OF
Which swung Senator Lodge from the
premiership 20 the anti-censorship
Aoe. caused much merriment among
republican Senators to-day.
Bulletin" Contradictory
y hold in my hand copy Of The
0aeial Bulletin Of May i. 1911" said
W. Sherman. 81 present in this copy
ne parts which | have marked. one
ron the Attorney General saying there
Is no danger. that il is ridiculous 20
AK about the shortage Of food sup
pies, and tho other, on the following
Page that have marked. from the Sec
ietsry OF Commerce. saying that we
sFt IN danger Of ultimate starvation.
! should like to have the Cabinet
reconcile itself before il sends out
saiements 20 the public at this time
nat are calculated not only 10 cause a
1900 panic. but great confusion IN at
"npting 20 escape from it,
=. ihe conflicting sections, as read into
We record, follow:
IN discussing the reasons for the pres
ea'e Of the special assistants IN Wash
n,elon at this time. Attorney General
V'egory said: Il am not An authority
~ the food situation Of the country.
IA, belongs properly TO the Depart
nsnt OF Agriculture; but ] am led to
esheye from the reports submitted TO
'e inat there is much hysteria occa-
sohed by reports Of food shortage. II
ridiculous 20 think that there viii
~ starvation or want in this country.
mere will be sufficient food. From my
.'pofts. ! conclude that many OF the
S'ssent high prices are the result OF
.aosquate distributive facilities. II
ssne PRESIDENT is given authority, as has
s.en proposed 20 Congress. to direct
right shipments and 10 give priority
certain classes Of freight, am con-
zen, that the situation will be ma
orally improved
Red6eld Is Quoted
me se other extract says:
secretary Of Commerce Rcdfeld ad-
red the National Association Of
5'.Sisc'urers in New York on Wednes-
~ on The subject How Can Manu-
,sS s'ers HelpT saying: 1t is a fact.
vis,t 40 cream, that We may face next
81 ' shortage Of food for ourselves
pen our Allies. Only long and strong
rs.i. WI prevent this becoming grave
an y. lie is a patriot who cultivates
Nh 1ua rod OF land and those of US
y.,sAh make land available for cult
,bss,, and aid toward it's working
,hs,a AZ once take steps TO bring
soout- am fond Of roses, but po-
IN are more needed now"
,;,, oyes any one know about the Off
Pc Dunetin?" asked Senator Brande-
li.k.. Under what authority is il pub
p,S,' and how is the expense Of IL
~ there an appropriation made
m snyrest for the publication Of that