River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-05-10
Washington Letter
(By James A. Frear, NJ. CD


+ion Of the time Of the Senate. This
situation arose in the same manner
as the discussion of CONSUMPTION dur
the preceding week when two diff
ferent army bills were considered at
both ends of the capitol, and finally
passed by the separate Houses, al
though the conferees have not yet
agreed upon the terms Of the con-
scription bill which is to be offered
finally for passage. The so-called
Espionage Bill covers over
thirty pages and provides generally
for the apprehension and punishment
of anyone giving aid comfort or mill
tary information to the enemy in time
of war. It's provisions to large ex-
tent supercede ordinary civil court
jurisdiction and give to the govern
ment power to meet sudden emer-
gencies and reasonable acts. One
part Of the bill, section 4, provides
for press censorship laid down on lines
which authorize the President to issue
proclamation prohibiting the publ
cation of any information relating to
national defense which in his judg
ment might be useful to the enemy.
Maximum fines of $4,000 and not
more than ten years Imprisonment are
penalties for violation of this statute.
As originally presented the House
voted section out oft he bill, but
subsequently the administration sup
porters agreed to a modification that
was accepted and now provides that
instead of leaving to the President
the right to determine the offense and
it's violation, that persons accused Of
such offense shall have jury trial
to determine whether anything has
been revealed relating to the national
defense and constituting violation
of law and whether it was Wilfully
committed This provision further
sets forth that it in no way restricts
comment or criticism of acts or pol
icies of government or of its repre-
sentatives.
During the debate, Chairman Webb
of the Judiciary Committee in, charge
of the bill, said that not two hours
before, the President sent word to
him that this law was absolutely nee
essary to the defense and success of
the war In his remarks Webb as
sailed the metropolitan press for in
consistency in not standing by the
President who was endeavoring to pre-
vent unrestricted license by irrespons
ible publications. Although the pro-
vision as amended leaves much power
in the hands of the President, press
items were read during the debate to
show that information was constantly
being published which might become
a source of embarrassment to military
plans. AS finally amended, the bill
was passed by an overwhelming vote
and will go to the Senate where again
the conferees will endeavor to agree
upon a bill acceptable to both Houses.
The revenue bill to provide funds
for carrying on the war will occupy
attention throughout this week in the
House. Members are deluged with
protests from different interests ask
ing that these interests be not OPP
pressed. The burden of taxation will
be hard to adjust satisfactorily and
on the Ways and Means Committee
has fallen the task of recommending
a bill which is likely to pass without
material alteration. While undoubt-
edly subject to criticism like any other
tax measure, it must be accepted as
the best judgment of Congress in pro-
viding for a trying emergency. The
war has been entered upon and money
must now be raised to provide for it.
Two spectacular gatherings occur
red in the House during last week.
The first was a reception rendered
Viviani, Vice Premier of France, and
Marshall Joffre in full uniform, the
hero of the battle of Marne,-the man
who saved Paris. With the party was
also the great grandson Of Lafayette.
Galleries were crowded and much en-
thusiasm evidenced. A short speech
was delivered by Viviani during re-
cess Of the House, while Joffre con-
tented himself with military salute
and shouted in French, Long Live
America" Afterwards the ENJOYS
shook hands with all members, in
Guiding "Uncle Joe" and Miss Rankin,
both of whom came in for generous
round of applause when passing down
the line.
On Saturday a similar reception
was rendered in the House to Balfour,
the British representative, who also
was accorded the privilege of address
ing the House during a brief recess.
President Wilson and party occupied
the Executive gallery and later join