The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-05-11
California Senator Moves to
Strike Out the Entire Section; !;
an Inroad on Democracy a1i an
Excursion Into Autocracy.
LEGAL CRITICISM WOULD
BE RENDERED IMPOSSIBLE
Could be Only Praise for Men
Who Led Armies Needlessly to
Slaughter; Husting Criticises
Senate for Killing Time.
By Associated Press

hl ANAnFtated freas.
Washington May Tho senate
worked today on the administration
espionage bill under an agreement 10
limit debate and consideration was
nearing its last stages 4 final vote
may he had before adjournment today.
The press censorship again was the
target Of attack. although II the sen
ate accepts amendments offered by
Senators Cummns and Thomas ma.
terially modifying the original IAN
suage the fight on the section may
be ended
senator IIusting speaking In sup
port of the measure. assmiled senators
for delaying action by argument while
Germany prrsucs her submarine poll
icy. The senate. he said was wasting
time when II should be preparing for
war and mobilizinF resources.
senator johnson of California. NOV
I'd to strike the entire newspaper cen.
sorship section from the bill. lie said
he did not speak for the press.
They are sufficiently powerful.
rich ana influential to care for their
own interests. he snid. But IL is Tor
the man who reads. who sees his hoy
conscripied and who is entitled In the
fostering care of the nation. For the
right uf FREQ speech ana free press
plead with YOU"
After rcadiag letter from President
wilson to New York editor. saying
he as chief executive would never
consent to DE exempted from criticisni
uf the bill becomes law. senator
johnson argued that while the pres!-
dent as commandor-in-chicf would
not be exempt from criticism, the in
efficient general who led armies
noedlessly 10 slaughter could not Nc
criticised Such provision. he dc.
Clared. would mean there could Ice
only praise for such men, q distortion
Of the truth or the commentator woulc
commit crime ana be sent TO jail.
You can't. hy explanation" said
the senator. Say that the virtue ~
today shall be the crime Of tomorrow.
In nation such as ours tint ought
never 10 he done even a. an extreme
but assuredlN not when the necessity
for II does not exist ana tn necessitN
cannot he seen The very purpose 81
this hill H. To- render u impossible 90
logitimgtely criticiso those who lead
| and those who are incompetent and
| inefficient II o. an inrond on Demor-
rncy and an excursion ito autocracy
Referring to the recent Russian
revolution. he said tho Russian peo-
pie had torn from the car the in
sigma Of autocracy that under this
bill are TO he put upon our people.
senator Stone, supporting the cen-
sorship section, said he believed tho
time had come to limit the freedom of
the press lie said that publishers
Ircgald themselves us "a favored class
exempt from restrictions, and aa
sacred white oxen who can go about
| without fear OF m0lestdtiou.'
| This Is II war provoked ana car
ricd on by the newspr pers, SAID
1 senator stone NOW thry not only
object To- the restraint Of their liberty
but they protest arainst the revenue
hul which would levy tax against
! publishers. 1 kno wthc revenue bal
/ hits publishers pretty hard, but II hits
cvers body pretty hard too. But Il Is
| the old desire 70 shit the tax burden
onto other shoulders
| senator Stone Sail hc would call
the attention ct publishers 60 thor
slogan sand by the president add
ing
DO not forget that the rules OF
Espionage are 20 be prescribed ny the
president
The senate adopted senator Thomas
amendment to the censorship section
which would authorize the president
itu prescribe the regulations 10 prevent
, specifically the disclosure OF inf0rma
/ tiou respecting. disposition of armed
/ forces 4 clause excepting proceed
nss Iu congress was stricken out
The section a. originally drawn de-
I fined the prosideut'a authority only in