White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1917-05-18
SENATE HAS PASSED
ESPIONAGE BILL
NO PRESS CENSORSHIP OR BAN
ON GRAIN FOR LIQUOR, AS
PREVIOUSLY VOTED.
RETAINS EMBARGO MEASURE
Power Is Given to President for "Pub.
lie Safety and WeIfare"-Punish-
ment for Spies and Wrongful
Use of information.

Washington-After nearly three
weeks of debate, ranging over innu-
merable problems of the war, the SEN
ate, by a vote of n to 6, Monday
night passed the administration es-
pionage bill, pronounced one of the
most drastic and all-inclusive meas
ures in American congressional his
tory.
A similar bill has passed the house,
but virtual redrafting of many of the
most important provisions is expect
ed n the Forthcoming conferences.
During Mondays final consideration
the senate stripped the measure en-
tirely of provisions for newspaper
censorship and restrictions upon man.
ufacture of grain into Intoxicating
liquors, and rejected an amendment
designed to curb speculation in food
products, although sentiment obvious
ly was. overwhelming in favor of such
Legislation later.
Clash on Liquor Clause.
Senator King of Utah moved to
strike out the Cummins amendment
forbidding the manufacture of cereals
and sugar into alcohol during the war
and was supported by Senator Under.
wood, Husting and others Senator
Underwood said it was neither a real
conservation nor prohibition move
would destroy immense revenues from
beer, and still leave immense guam
titles of whisky in bond for bever
age purposes.
Senator Cummins said he was not
ployment by those in breweries and
distilleries, which would have to close
if the amendment is retained. He
said such workmen could be easily
absorbed with labor scarce and many
men conscripted for the war.
Senator Reed declared the Cummins
amendment would destroyed property
worth 100000, throw 100000
persons out of employment, brighten
capital and disturb business. Also, he
said, it was unnecessary, as he be-
lieved the war soon would be over.
Without the prohibition feature, he
declared, the Cummins amendment
would be without support.
Senator Borah supported the move
to eliminate the liquor sections as
unconstitutional, although he favors
prohibition.
Embargo Exports.
AS completed the senate bills prin
cipal sections provide:
Authority for the president to EN-
barge exports when he finds that
"the public safety and welfare so re
quire" (not in the house measure).
Authority for the postoffice depart
ment to censor mails and exclude
mail matter deemed sediitous, anar
chistic, or reasonable, and making il
mailing punishable under heavy pen
alties. (Not in house billy.
For punishment of espionage, de-
fined in most detailed terms, includ
ing wrongful use of military infor.
nation.
For the control of merchant YES.
sells in American waters.
Punishment for conveyance of false
reports which interfere with military
operations, wilful attempts to cause
disaffection in the military or naval
forces or obstruction of recruiting.
For the seizure of arms and NUM-
lions and prohibition of their expor
tation under certain conditions.
For penalizing conspiracies design
ed to harm American foreign relations
or for destruction of property within
the United States.
Restrictions on Passports.
For increased restrictions upon is
suance of passports, with penalties
for their forgery or false procure
ment.
For material extension of the pod
er to issue search warrants for in
spection of premises.
The clause giving the president
power to embargo exports was retain
ed in the bill virtually as drafted by
administration officials
IOWA BLUE LAWS IN ACTION.