South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-13
Sen. Hiram Johnson Wins
First Fight When Censor
ship of PrSS Clause Is
Killed 1888.
ENDS MOST STUBBORN FIGHT
IN SENATE In MANY YEARS
All Party Lines 0bIiterated,
Despite Strong Endorse
ment of Amendment
Given by President.
international News Service:


WASHINGTON. May 12.-Sen.
Hiram johnson of California. won
his first big fight in national politics
this afternoon when the senate by a
vote of S9 to 3S, accepted his amend
ment, striking out the whole censor
ship provision of the espionage bill.
Free speech and uncontrolled press
throughout the war is now assured
unless unforeseen developments in
tervene.
The vote on Sen. Johnson's mo-
ton, coming Immediately after the
senate convened today. ended one of
the most stubborn and spectacular
fights waged in the senate in recent
years. Party lines were obliterated
as seldom before in the history of
the upper house in the general line
up for and against the measure.
Backed by Wilson
All the influence of the admins
tration was thrown behind the cen
sorship provision. Pres't Wilson
himself endorsed it. The opposition
grew so strong, however, that the
provision, as originally drafted by
the administration was redrafted
many times and those in charge OF
the measure accepted many mod
ifications in a final effort 70 con-
ciliate the advocates of free and un-
restricted press.
Sen. Johnson, however, steadfaSt-
/ ~ refused to accept any compromise.
He rallied about him a small
group Of senators of both parties
who believed that even the mildest
censorship was a violation Of the
principles OF American democracy.
IN a ringing and deeply impressive
speech in the senate yesterday after
noon he made a last plea for de-
structiOn of the gag section. Many
| senators, both for and against the
section, agreed today that Sen. John
sons speech yesterday decided the
| issue. The tide of sentiment which
UP TO that time seemed to favor at
least a modified suppression of news
seemed to turn and the victory for
the Johnson amendment today was
| the speedy result.
| Redrafted Many Times.
The provision was redrafted al
| least half a dozen times. No later
! than yesterday. the administration
| leaders accepted an amendment sub
| stantially curtailing the power over
the press provided in the section.
Sen. Johnson, newly elected from
| California, however, took the posi-
ton that the press should be abso-
lutely uncontrolled even in war time.
! In a vigorous speech yesterday aft
ernoon on the senate floor he made a
final plea for complete freedom OF
press and speech throughout the war
and the tide of sentiment which
prior 70 then seemed TO favor a mod
! flied censorship seemed TO turn. The
vote today came a few minutes after
the senate convened Party lines
were entirely invisible in the roll
call.
How They Voted.
Following was the roll call on the
censorship provision:
Yeas: Ashurst, Broussard. Calder.
| Chamberlain. Fernald, Gallinger
GrOnna, Harding, Hardwick, Kellogg,
Martin. Shields. Smoot, Sutherland.
Bankhead, Borah. Brandegee. Cum
minis, Curtis. France, Frelinghuysen.
Johnson California;, Jones CWash-
ington). Kenyon. LaFollette, Nickel
lar. New Norris, Page. Reed. Sauls-
bury. Sherman, Smith Georgia.
Thomas, Townsend. Underwood,
Vardaman, Watson. Total %
Nays: Brady, Colt Culbertson.
Fletcher. Gerry. Hale, Holds. Hust-
ing. James, Jones New Mexico)
Kendrick. King. Kirby. Lodge. Nc
Cumber. Mclean. Meyers. Nelson.
Overman. Pittman. Po.ndexter. Pom
creme. Ransdell, Robinson. Shafroth.
Sheppard, Simmons. Smith { Arizona)
Smith South Carolina). Sterlin.
Stone. Thompson, Trammell. Walsh.
Warren, Weeks, Williams, WOlcott.
| Total IS.