The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1917-05-16
Senate Passed Admins
tration Espionage Bill

w dSLlilStolI, ~. ~, may i4.-A1ter
nearly three weeks of debate, rang
ing over innumerable problems of the
war, the Senate, by a vote of II to 6.
tonight passed the administration es-
pionage bill, pronounced one of the
most drastic and all-inclusive meas
ures in American congressional his
tory.
A similar bill has passed the House
and virtual redrafting of many of the
most important provisions is expect
ed in the forthcoming conferences.
During today's final consideration
the Seate stripped the measure en-
tirely of provisions for newspaper
censorship and restriction upon man
ufacturer of grain into intoxicating
liquors; and rejected an amendment
designed to curb speculation in food
products, although sentiment obvious
ly was Overwhelmingly in favor of
such legislation later.
AS completed the Senate bills prin-
cipal sections provide:
Authority for the President to en-
barge exports when he finds that the
public safety and welfare so require"
(Not in the House measure.)
Atsthority for the Postofficc Depart
mert TO censor mails and exclude
mail matter deemed seditious, anarch
istic or reasonable and making its
mailing punishable under heavy pen
allies (Not in the House billy
For punishment of espionage, de-.
fined in most detailed terms, includ
ing wrongful use of military informa-
ton.
For the control Of merchant vessels
in American waters.
Punishment for conveyance of false
reports to interfere with military op-
erations, wilful attempts to cause dis
affection in the military or naval for
ces, or obstruction of recruiting.
For the seizure of arms and muni-
tons and prohibition of their exporta-
ton under certain conditions.
For penalizing conspiracies design
ed to harm American foreign rela-
tons, or for destruction of property
within the United States.
For increased restrictions upon is
suance of passports.
For material extension of the pow
er to issue search warrants for IN
spection of premises.
May Compromise Censorship
The clause giving the President
power to embargo exports was re-
tanned in the bill virtually as drafted
by administration officials.
Vigorous efforts to retain provis-
ions for newspaper censorship and
partial prohibition, together with
toodstuff conservation during the war
eliminated in final votes today in
which the Senate voted, 48 to "a, to
eliminate all provision for the press
censorship. On behalf of the admin
istration forces, Senator Overman, in
charge Of the bill, had moved to re-
insert a modified censorship clause.
AS the House bill contains provis-
ion for determination by jury of cul-
pability for violation of censorship
regulations to be promulgated by the
President the administration is ex-
pected to bring strong pressure for
drafting in conference of compro-
mise censorship section.
On the question of prohibition and
foodstuffs conservation, the Senate
by a vote of 10 to 81, reversed its ac-
ton OF Saturday in accepting Senator
Cummins' amendment providing that
during the war manufacture of cere-
ais grain, sugar and syrup into iRtox-
icating liquors should lie prohibited.
An amendment by Senator Thomas
to suspend during the war exchanges
and boards of trade permitting "fu-
ture" trading in foodstuffs was ere
jected 40 to "a after three hours IF
stormy debate. The senate voted 81
to &c. to retain that part of the mails
espionage section which some sena-
tors say will give the Postmaster
General drastic powers of censorship