Evening journal., 1917-05-15
PRESS GAG rule
AGAIN Defeated
Espionage Bill Without Cen
sorShip Passes by Ma
iority Of IA
WARTIME PROHIBITION
CLAUSE IS ELIMINATED

WASHINGTON. May 15.-Wth the
censorship section completely elimi-
mated. though demanded to the last by
the Presidents friends, and with the
Cummins prohibition amendment
stricken out by a decisive vote. the
espionage bill one Of the most im-
poriant of tho war measures. finally
passed the Senate late yesterday ar
ternoon. The vote on the final passage
was "a TO 6. Five Republicans. Borah.
France. Gronna. la Toilette and
Sherman. and one Democrat, Varda-
man. made up the opposition when
Il finally went through
The bill now goes 10 conference,
the House having already passed it
With the Guard substitute providing
for a censorship. violations of which
are TO be tried by a jury. 10 is by
no means certain that the bin when
1t comes from conference viii not
contain a censorship section The Adj
ministration has been insis.ent upon
one and, having been defeated in the
Senate, Will now seek 10 have the
House provision or some modification
Of Il adopted by the conferees. OPP
p0nents OF n censorship who yester-
day defeated decisively all attempts
fo roinsert it IN the bill viii con-
tinue their fight should The confer
ence report include such a provision.
The increased strength shown by
The opponents of a press censorship
and the overthrow Of the Cummins
prohibition amendment by a vote Of
AZ TO "a were the surprises OF the
day. which was devoted to the bill
Reconsideration of the vote on Sat
urday by which the Senate approved
of prohibiting the use of fOOdstufts
Tor alcoholic beverages during the
war showed that the eleventh hour
light made by the brewers against
what they asserted would be the total
destruction OF their industry had
been successful. for the time being
at any rate The same proposition
win come mp when the Lever bill is
considered and may result in re-
tersai of Yesterdays action.
Before the censorship and prohibit
ton sections were taken up deter
mined attempt was made TO attach to
The bin an amendment designed to
prevent speculation i'm grain futures.
An amendment offered by Senator
Thomas. of Colorado. would have sus-
ocnded for the duration Of the war all
boards of trade stock exchanges or
chambers of commerce permitting
mch gpeculation This was defeated
bv a vote of 40 to "a, but not until
after there had been much fervid ora
fofv all aimed at food spectators,
Who were denounced as gamblers and
parasites.
MANY Senators expressed themselves
~ beine i'm favor OF forbidding such
enecnlafion. but insisted that the mat
fer should be considered when the
Horticultural bills were taken up. III
seemed evident that some measure re-
sfricting. If not prohibiting. specula-
lion of this kind viii be passed at that
lime
al soon as the bill was reported
Yesterday bv the committee OF inc
whole Senator Overnan Immediately
onered the censorship section, when
mo committee on Saturday had
stricken out by a vote OF 80 to So. III
The administration forces thought
that their ranks had been strengthen
cd over Sunday they were doomed TO
disappointment
several Senators had had change
of heart but it was the other way.
ono ~ them was Senator Lodge, who
On saturday had voted TO retain the
censorship section. Senator Lodge S
change of heart. it appeared. was due
fo his having read q copy OF george
creers official bulletin. Senator Lodge
FRANKLY admitted that he had believed
there should be some proper protec-
tion against the publication OF mt
tarv information. but that since he
had examined the publication OF the
Presidents board OF censorship ne
felt differently.
IN have come to the conclusion, p.
said Senator Lodge that it would
Zoe far better not to have any censor
shin than to permit that board TO eN-
cmde practically everything from the
newspapers of the country. / do not
care to have the newspapers or TINS
country at the mercy Of any such
board as that"
The motion OF Senator Overman to
relncorporate the censorship section
wac voted down. as to "a. In addition
to Senator Lodge the following Demo
Gratis went over to the opposition.
Pittman. Shafroth. Smith tArizona)
smith iSouth Cardinal and Tram
nell. Senator Martin. Virginia, who
on Saturday voted against a censor
Ship voted in favor of il. Senators
Dillingham;. Fall. phelan and Knox
who did not vote on Saturday. voted
AGAINST censorship. while Senators
Swanson, Wadsworth. Beckham and
Newlands who were not recorded az
voting on Saturday, voted for the
censorship.
r0te on Censorship.
Following was the vote.
Yeas-Beckham. Colt. Culberson
Fletcher. Gerry. Hale. Hollis. Hust
ny. James. Jones New Mexico) Ken
%rick, King. Kirby McCumber Nc
Lean. Martin. Myers. Nelson. New
ands. Overman Poindexter Pomer'
enc. Ransdell, Robinson. Sheppard