The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-04-27

people, circumscribes certain activities
and in many ways curtails the freedom
OF citizens. From the time it became
certain that the United States was 20
ing into war there began all kinds OF
preparation. Not only were plans
made for raising money on "A large
scale, but preparations for IA large
army and increase in the navy were
Don under way.
But, more than that, many measures
were taken to place the country on a
war footing as regards the general
public. The people found rs soon as
war was declared that there were
some things which they could not do.
and the press of the country found
there were many interesting news sto.
ries that could not be published.
Restrictive Legislation.
1t has been found expedient to enac
restrictive legislation, In the opinion
of government officials, In order to
curb espionage and reporting of Amer
lean affairs, particularly in regard to
the army and navy. These bills have
been rather severely criticised by men
who thought they were unnecessarily
harsh. Some OF the provisions have
been pointed out as abridging both the
freedom of the press and speech.
The objects to be attained-the pres
~ervation OF military secrets and hid
ing of administration war m~oves-are
laudable. but there is a possibility that
the measures may prove too drastic.
1t Reached Many People.
The last speech delivered ON the war
resolution was a prayer OF two lines
delivered by Senator Smoot of Utah.
1t was "A fervent petition to the Al
mighty for guidance in the great crisis.
Probably a few who heard that pray
err may have thought In connection
with 1t that Senator Smoot was an
apostle of the Mormon church, a posi-
ton which gives him rank as a high
church dignitary, and If he were not
In official life he would be administer
ing affairs of his church I'm a minis
terial capacity.
Probably few expressions in the de-
bate upon the momentous war resOlu-
ton have brought forth SO many COM
ments from all sorts and conditions of
men. Senator Shoots mail has been
flooded with them, all c-ommendatory.
Was Going to Make a Speech.
Il vas going to make a speech" said
the Utah senator II had prepared to
do so and had my papers and notes
arranged, but when the time came IL
seemed to me that discussion was out
of place, that the time for "A vote had
been reached and that the most ef-
fective words | could utter We're those
which came to my mind"
And In the opinion of those who
crowded the galleries that prayer was
the really dramatic incident of the
great occasion. In the language OF
the newspaper men, 1t was the high
light or the whole proceeding, and
the letters and comments seem TO in
dictate that such was also the judg-
ment of the people.
Ten Dollars a Barrel.
Senator Kenyon has offered a bill In
the senate which is the %forerumner Of
a plan TO tax liquor out OF existence.
That has been suggested by prohibition
advocates as an alternative TO meet the
opposition of the liquor men to a fed
eral amendment. The Iowa senator
proposes a tax of $40 a barrel on beer.
That would be prohibition If it should
be adopted.
"AII the Traffic Will Bear"
Delegations of beer and whisky men
called on John Garner to talk with him
about war revenue, they being well
aware that increases would be made
upon their products.
Il wan to increase these taxes" the
Texas congressman told them, ito the
limit Of greatest revenue j want TO
make them as high as they can be
made and yet allow business to be car
ried on which will mean money"
Garner really adopted a phrase of a
once famous railroad man who said he
made rates on the roads he controlled
on the basis of 'all the traffic will
bear"
kitchin on the Job.
Claude Kitchin OF North Carolina
continues to do his work as chaisman
OF the ways and means committee and
is Loyalty supporting the administration
war measures. When Kitchin voted
against the war resolution there was a
demand that he be removed from the
head Of the ways and means commit
tee. TRY it," said friends, but no one
accepted the challenge.
The "Helping Hands,"
Washington Is full Of "helping
hands," those individuals who want
to pull In oar on the ship Of state
with a fat compensation attached. 1t
Is recalled that a lot of money was
made during the Spanish war, and
there are money makers who
would like to get q bit out Of this war.