Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-15
PRESS CENSORSHIP
AND PROHIBITION
ARE ELIMINATED
Measure One of Most Dras-
tic in American Congress
sional History.
AMENDMENT REJECTED
TO CURB FOOD GAMBLING
Sentiment, However. Is Over
whelmingly in Favor of Such
Legislation Later.
NOW GOES TO CONFERENCE
Virtual Rcdrafting of Many OF Most
Important Provisions by Con-
ferees Expected.
AMENDMENT REJECTED
TO CURB FOOD GAMBLING
NOW GOES TO CONFERENCE
Virtual Rcdrafting Of Many OF Most
Important Provisions by Con-
ferees Expected.
IRv Associated Press

~ three weeks Of debate. the senate
by vote OF - to i. tonight passed
the administration espionage bill. pro.
nounccd one of the mo-. drastic and
all-inclusivc measures in American con-
sressional history.
y similar bill has passed the House.
and virtual redraftng of many Of the
most important provisions is expected
IN the Forthcoming conferences
During to-day's final consideration
the Senate stripped the measure OF
provisions for newspaper censorship
ana restriction upon manufacture OF
grain into Intoxicating liquors and re-
jectcd an amendment designed to curb
speculation in food products. although
sentiment obviously was overwhelming
in favor Of such legislation later.
PRINCIPAL SECTIONS
OF SENATE nII.l.
As completed. the Senate bill's prtn-
cipal sections provide
AuthoEIty for 1hG President to em-
barge exports when he .inds that "tho
public safety and welfare SO require"
(not in the House mcasurc):
Authority for the Post-Onicc Depart
ment to censor mails ana exclude mail
matter deemed scditious. anarchistic or
Unreasonable. and making it's mailing
punishable under heavy penalties mot
in the House bilD:
For punishment Of espionage. de-
fined in most detailed terms including
wrongful use OF military information:
For the control of merchant vessels
in American waters;
Punishment for conveyance of false
reports to Interfere with military on
crations. willful attempts to cause
d'Sanection in the military or naval
forces or obstruction OF recruiting:
For the seizure of arhns and muni-
tons and prohibition of their exporta-
ton under certain conditions;
For penalizing conspiracies designed
t" harm American foreign relations or
for destruction of property within the
United States:
FOR increased restrictions upon issu
ancc OF passports. with penalties for
their forgery or false procurement and
For material extension Of the power
to issue search warrants for insnection
OF promises.
UNQUALIFIED PROVISION =.
RESTORED TO MEASURE
The clause Nving the President
rover TO embargo exports WAS retained
in the bill virtually as drafted by ad-
ministration officials 1t was modified
once, but the unqualified provision was
restored after its necessity had been
explained last week in { days session
behind closed doors.
Vigorous efforts to retain provisions
for newspaper censorship and partial
prohibition. together with foodstuffs
conservation. during the war. culmi-
mated in final
the Senate voted IS to % to eliminute
all provision for the press censorship
ON behalf of the administration forces
Senator overman. in charge of the bill,
had moved 10 rcinScrt a modi6,d con-
*orShip olause. As the House bill con
,tins provision for discrimination bv
the jury of cufpability for violation OF
censorship regulations TO be urcu,ul-
gated by the Pre- rtsidcnt the admins
'ration $ expected TO bring strong
pressure for drafting in conference OF
compromise censorship section
ON IN" question OF prohibition and
fo'iStun conservation. the Senate, hv
vote OF Ia TO 81, reversed its action
OF saturday in accepting Senator Cum
minS'S amendment, providing that, rur,
;ns TIC war. manufacture of cereals.
grain. sugar and sirup into Intoxicating. 4
liquor should he prohibited nv ,1is
vote. II struck out the Cummins amend
ment offered as a food conservation
step. but attacked as really "a probibi.
ton move
LATER TO CONSIDER
.FUTtWE" TRADING
I'm ancnumnnt by Senator 'rhona,
TO suspend during the war exchanges
ana boards OF trade pcr.nitting up
ture trading In foodstuffs vas re.
jec'ed. - to -. after three hours,
stormy debate. Many Senators. while
EXPRESSING sympathy with It's OBJ iect =
an" violently aenouncmC footlstuS.
speculation, felt that ii was an i'm.
proper subject tor the espionage meas. sf
ure. and should be moro adequately
considered when some of the varions
FOOD bills are ;aken up, probably latera
this week.
che Senate voted. - TO a. 10 retain
that part OF the mails cspionago src.
tion Which some Senator'S say Wilt