The weekly soliphone., 1917-05-17
GAG TAKEN FROM
 ESPIONAGE BILL
Press Muzzle Feature Stricken Out
 By Senate After Lively and Prolonged Fight.

WaSn1US lOI, M"y "' nearly three weeks of debate, rang ling over innumerable problems or the war, the Senate, by vote or | 77 to six, last night passed the administration espionage bill, pro lnounced one of the most drastic and all-inclusive measures in Amer ican congressional history. | A similar bill has passed the House and virtual redrafting of lmany of the most important provls- | icns is expected in the forthcom- ling conferences.
 During yesterdays final consid- eration the Senate stripped the measure entirely of provisions Tor newspaper censorship and restric- tion upon manufacturers of grain in to intoxicating liquors and rejected an amendment designed to curb speculation in food products, al- though sentiment obviously was Overwhelming in favor of such leg islation later.
 l As completed the Senate's bill principal sections provide:
 Authority for the president to embargo exports when he finds that "the public safety and welfare SO freauire." (Not in the House meas ure.)
 | Authority for the Postoffice De- lpartment to censor mails and eX- lclude mail matter deemed seditious, anarchistic or reasonable and mak- ing it's mailing punishable under heavy penalties. (Not in the House bill.)
 For punishment of espionage, de- fined in most detailed terms, in- cluding use of military informa- tion.
 For the control of merchant yes sels in American waters
 l. Punishment for conveyance of false reports to interfere with mili- ltary operations, wilful attempts to fcause disaffeetion in the military or naval forces or obstruction of re- cruiting.
 For the seizure of arms and am munitions and prohibition of their deportation under certain condi- tions.
 For penalizing conspiracies de- signed to harm American relations or for destruction of property with lin the United States. For increased lrestriction upon issuance of pass ports, with penalties for their forg cry or false procurement, and for material extension of the power to issue search warrants for inspection lof premises.
 The clause giving the president turned in the bill virtually as draft led by administration officials. It was modified once, but hte un- Iqualified provision was restored aft Hast week in a days session behind closed doors.
 Vigorous efforts to retain pr0vis- lions for newspaper censorship and partial prohibition, together with lfOodstuff conservation during the war, eliminated in final votes yes terday in which the Senate voted AS to 34 to eliminate all provisions for the press censorship. On be- half of the administration forces Senator Overman, in charge of the Dill, had moved to re-insert mod Eified censorship clause. As the House bill contains a provision for determination by the jury of cul- Ipability for violation of censorship regulations to be promulgated by Ithe president, the administration is expected to bring strong pressure for drafting in conference com promise censorship section. &
 On the question of prohibition and food stuff conservation, the Senate, by a vote of AZ to 37, re- Iversed it's action of Saturday in accepting Senator Cummins' amend ment providing that. during the war, manufacture of cereals, grain, sugar and syrup into intoxicating liquors should be prohibited.