Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-05-24
WILSON DEMANDS
CENSOR POWERS
President Insists on Authority
to Deal With Press During
War Crisis.
CONGRESS LEADERS READY
Will Put Proposition Again
Before Assembly If Chance
of Passage Is Seen.

WASHlNGTON, May %. - The
newspaper censorship fight was re-
opened in congress today following
President Wilson's action in per
soually intervening to insist upon
inclusion Of some form Of press reg
ulauon in the administration ospi-
onage bill
The presidents desire or censor
'"''. noWcr of some sort was cm-
phasi2ed today to senate confcrces
u., ...s espionage plll who were called
to the White House for the purpose,
Surprise over the step was expected
generally at the capitol whore the
belief had grown and report, appar-
emily authoritative, had been widely
circulated that the administration
had accepted the senate's unfavor-
able vote as final.
Sound out Congress
Whether the administration will
attempt to force thru "A censorship
authorization was said tonight to de-
pend upon soundings being made by
leaders among house and senate
members, especially the former. The
conferees held another meeting to-
day, but. unable to break their dead
lock over censorship, adjourned until
Friday to sound out sentiment again.
Should leaders find that there is
a reasonable prospect of acceptance
by the house of n modified censor
ship plan. it was stated tonight that
the conferees had agreed tentatively
to adopt and present the following
provision:
The Provision.
In time Of war the president Is hereby
n fHf fhs.HH v.A 4. D
and regulations for the purpose of prevent.
ing the disclosure to the public and thereby
to the enemy Of information with respect to
the movement numbers, description and dis
position Of any of the armed force, Of the
nited States in naval or military operations
or with respect to any works intended for
the fOrtification or defense Of any place
and whoever in time OF war shall wlfully
violate any such rule or regulation shall be
punished by fine Of not more than $4,000
Or by imprisonment for not more than five
years or by both such fine and imprisonment
Provided, that nothing in this section
shall be construed TO limit or restrict nor
shall any regulation herein provided foi
limit or restrict any discussion, comment or
criticism Of the acts Or policies Of the gov.
eminent or ITS representatives, or the publ
cation of the same
Acceptable 10 Wilson.
President Wilson is said to have
accepted the principle of this pro-
vision. which was offered during re-
cent senate debate by Senator over
man OF North Carolina and rejected.
II will be proposed as broadly embrac-
ing the administration views at next
Fridays meeting of the conferees
should the sentiment sounding now in
progress develop fayorably to the ad-
ministration view.
The senate confcrces who have
been opposing any censorship author
izatiOn are understood to be willing TO
accept the new proposal as a substi-
tute for that Of Representative Gard
Of Ohio, written into the house bill
and regarded much more drastic The
house clause authorizes the president
by proclamation to prescribe what
news snail not be published, leaving
the courts TO determine If publication
is in deliberate violation of prohibit
tory regulations.
senators Change Views.
Altho the senate vote to eliminate
censorship entirely was 48 to "a, IL
was understood tonight that President
Wilson's insistence has resulted i'm
some senator's changing their minds
A few it was stated upon authority.
who voted against censorship, are now
ready TO favor IT. Senators leading the
fight against press regulation, how
ever, still are confident Of ultimate
success.