The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-13
CENSORSHIP FEATURE
OF ESPIONAGE BILL
KILLED IN SENATE
Senator Hiram johnson, Of Cali.
fornia, Wins Fight Against
Alleged Gag Law.
SENATOR MARTIN VOTES
TO KILL PROVISION
Democratic Floor Leader Among
Those Who Turn Against Measure
Backed BY Administration.

Washington. May 1.-THE gag
section of the espionage bill, provid-
ing governmental control OF press and
speech during the war period. was
killed by the senate today.
BY a vote OF 80 to rs the upper
house accepted Senator Hiram Johr-
SONS amendment striking the whole
censorship provision from the espion-
age bill. The action was taken while
the senate was sitting as committee
of the whole. 1t Is probable that an
other roll call on the johnson amend
ment will be demanded when tho bill
comes up for final disposition next
week. but there was every reason to
believe that the result would not be
changed.
The defeat of the censorship, sec
ton marked Senator Johnson's first
big victory in national politics. 1t
brought to an end one .of the most
stu born contests waged In the senate
in recent years.
Senator Johnson's victory was gain
ed in the face OF strong odds.
/ Newness a Handicap.
Although nationally conspicuous for
many years his newness in the senate
was a severe handicap. His struggle
for free speech and free press called
forth all the powers Of fighting lead
inant figure in California politics. He
declined to accept any compromise.
held out to the bitter end for mo
censorship" and finally won. The cen
sorship section of the espionage bill
was written by the administration
and had the endorsement of the presi-
dent himself
All the administrations enormous
influence in congress was placed be-
IL. T. h,,& - =
unable to command the full strength
OF his following in the upper house.
On the roll call today Senator Martin.
the Democratic leader. was among
those who deserted the administra-
ton and voted to Kill the censorship
provision.
The roll call showed party lines en-
tirely wiped out in the vote. Sena-
tors who voted for the Johnson
amendment killing the censorship
were: Ashurst, Broussard. Calder,
Gronna, Harding. Hardwick. Kellogg.
Martin. Shields Smoot. Sutherland,
Bankhead. Borah, Brandegee. Cum
Minis, Curtis. France. Freylinghuysen.
Johnson California;. Jones (Wash-
ington). Kenyon. I.aFollette. Nickel
lar. New. Norris. Page, Reed. Sauls-
bury. Smith tGeorgia), Thomas,
Townsend. Underwood. Vardaman
Watson. Williams.
Against the amendment were: Bra
dy, Colt. Culberson. Fletcher, Gerry.
Hale, Hollis. Husting. James, Jones
On. M, Kendrick, King, Kirby.
Lodge, Mccumber, Mclean. Myers.
Nelson. Overman, Pittman. Poindex-
ter, Pomerene, Ransde1. Robinson.
Shafroth. Sheppard. Simmons. Smith
tAriz.). Smith Is. C.9. Sterling, stone.
Thompson, Walsh, Warren, Weeks
Williams, Wolcott Trammell.
Many senator's declared that Sem
ator .Tohnson's thrilling plea for an
uncontrolled press yesterday turned
the tide.
Prior to that time it was believed
that the majority favored at least
niodiffed form OF censorship. When
the question was voted on several
weeks ago on a test the provision was
adopted. The vote today came inn
mediateiy after the senate convened.
Only a few minutes debate preceded
tho roll call Following the killing
of the section. Senator Kirby. of
!, Arkansas, made d. last effort in be-
half of censorship even more dras-
tic than that proposed by the admin
istration. His amendment was de-
feated, however. by the overwhelming
vote of SIS to 5.
The espionage Dill In It's nnaI form
will be voted on early next week.
Since the house bill contains a CEN
sorship provision a bitter fight in
conference probably will result.
------------
Dfas Reported Dead.
Mexica City. May l2.--surprise was
caused hers today by inquiries as to
reports that General Felix DiaS had
besn killed In Mexico BY his ensiniea
No such reports hare. heen. rNcetvAd