South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-06-01
HOUSE REFUSES
TO GAG PRESS
g. Democrats Vote With Re-
pubIiCanS Against MOdi-
fled Measure.

WASHINGTON. June THE ad-
ministration's fight for a war censor
ship on newspapers was lost in con-
gress Thursday, al least for the
present. when the house refused by
a vote OF 1Sf 20 IA. to accept even
the modified censorship section writ
ten into the espionage bill in con-
feTenco. The senate already is on
record as opposed to a censorship
and leaders in congress do not ex-
pect any further administration ef-
fort 20 enact one in the immediate
future
The test in the house came on a
motion % recommit the espiona &c
bill with instructions that the cen
sOrship regulation be eliminated.
Despite a determined attempt OF
democratic managers 10 line up the
party strength behind Pres't Will
sons demand for censorship, 81
democratic Representatives Joined
the republicans voting for the mo-
tion. Eleven republicans. disregard
ing their party's caucus decision,
voted in the negative
Report Bill Back Today.
COnferees for the house will re-
port their instructions back 10 the
senate conferences tomorrow and
the bill. shorn OF the censorship
provisions. probably will be report
ed 10 both senate and house within
few days and finally accepted. IL
carries important notifications OF
the spy laws and authorization for
the president 10 lay embargOes in
war time. but most Of the contrO-
versy regarding il has centered
about the censorship proposal 10
comment on the outcome in the
house was forthcoming from the
White house. The section which had
been agreed on by the conferees was
somewhat similar 20 one which the
house had substituted during first
consideration OF the bill for the
more sweeping provision drawn up
and submitted by the administra-
ton. The senate. while the bill was
under debate. threw the censorship
section out entirely by a vote OF As
TO "a.
In the house debate Thursday
opponents Of censorship argued that
a restriction such as the cOnferees
proposed would violate the right OF
a free press. The voluntary censor
ship under which the country
newspapers now are working was
pointed 20 as demonstrating the
patriotism Of editors and as proving
that no legal restrictions are need
ed
Among the democrats who spoke
and voted against the conference
censorship section was Rep. Gard
Of Ohio. author of the original house
censorship amendment. The time
has not come. he maintained. wner
newspapers should have 20 wait FOR
a presidential proclamation as pro-
vided in the conferees proposal, in
order 20 print news concerning the
movement. numbers or disposition
of armed forces.
judiciary Committee Split.
Members OF the judiciary commit.
tee which reported the original bill
with the first administration proposal
included. were divided Thursday
Leading the fight for the conference
proposal were Chairman Webb and
Rep. CaTiiu Rep. Graham Of Penn
sy'vania republican member OF
the committee. led the opposition
Mr. Webb argued that some pa
pers before the war was over un-
douhtedly would publish news re-
garding national defense, which
would be useful to an enemy. and
that some legal steps would have
% be taken against them.
Mr. Graham declared other sec