South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-05
SMASH SPIES,
SENATE VOTES
AFTER
Sedition Bill Initiated One
Year Ago Attaches Heavy
Penalties to Actions
Against u. S.
associcsed Press service:


Associated Press Service:
WASHINGTON. May 4. - The
senate. by a vote of as TO % late
today passed the sedition bill, under
which persons guilty of disloyal
acts. utterances and interference
with Liberty bond sales, and the
army draft. would he severely pen
allied The house is expected to
agree TO the report next week.
Opponents 20 the bin lost their
fight 10 strike out a clause giving
the postmaster general authority to
withhold mail believed TO violate
the espionage laws.
Bill Initiated Year Ago.
The bill was initiated a year ago
and provides maximum penalties OF
90 years imprisonment and a $10,-
600 fine or both, for a wide va
riety OF disloyal acts. il amends
the espionage act and, with the
woman spy" bill rece 'tly passed,
completes the cycle of legislation
urged by the department Of justice
as necessary 90 clothe the govern
ment with power TO * 1al with sedi-
ton and dislOyalty anu prevent mob
violence which has resulted from
the departments inability to secure
convictions OF persons making dis
loyas uttera noes.
That the legislation is unneces-
sary. unconstitutional. too drastic
and confers too wide discretion
upon administrative officials have
been the principal arguments
against IT,
The final vote today was along
non-partisan lines, many republi-
cans joining a majority of the dem
ocrats I'm supporting the legislation.
Two democrats. Sens. Hardwi5H of
Georgia and Reed OF Missouri,
Joined with % republicans in oppo-
sition
Vote In Senate.
The vote follows;
For adoption:
rats-Ashurst Bankhead,
Beckham, Chamberlain, Culberson,
Fletcher. Gerry. Guion. Henderson,
hitchcock. Hollis. Jones. New Mex
leo: King. Kirby, Lewis Mcclellan,
MYERS. Overman. owen. Phelan.
Pittman. Pomerene. Ransde1l, Sauls-
DUTY. CflhlIulllt sNllNlkaiNf 0AAlNAeo
simmons. Smith Of Georgia: Smith
OF Maryland; Smith Of South Caro-
lima: Swanson, Thompson. Tillman,
TrammeIl. Underwood. Walsh and
Williams.
Total-3s
Republicans-Colt. Fail. Jones or
Washington; Lenroot McCumber.
Mclean. Nelson. Poindexter, Ster-
ling and Warren.
Total-10.
Total for-4S.
Against adoption:
Deuocra ts-Hardwic and Reed.
Total-2.
RepubIicans-B orah. Brandegee.
calder. Curtis. Dillingham;, France.
GaUinger. Gronna. Hale. Harding,
Johnson OF California: Kenyon,
Knox. Lodge. NIcNary. New, Norris.
Page. sherman. Smoot. sutherland,
Wadsworth. Watson and Weeks.
Total-24
Total acainst-26
Penalties Attached
As redrafted by the cOnferees the
bill penalties apply during the war.
20 persons wIlfUlIy utterinE dis
loyal. profane. scurrilous or abusive
language about the form Of the
government OF the United States.
the constitution the military or
naval forces. the uniform OF the
United States. or any language in
tended to bring the form Of gov
eminent Of the United States. the
constitution. the military or naval
forces. the Flag. or uniforms Of the
United States into contempt. scorn
contumelv or disrepute."
II also penalties language Gin
tended 20 incite. provoke or encouT-
age resistance 70 the United States
or 20 promote the cause OF its en-
emies." and wilful display Of the
flag or any enemy nation.
Important Provision.
Another important provision
would punish statements designed tC
curtau production of war necessi
ties or the teaching or advocacy ot
any OF the prohibited acts in the
neasu-e. while another general and
broad provision makes the penal
ties apply 20 those "Who by wore
or act support or favor the caus,
~ any country with which IN,
United States IS az war or hv wor,
or act oppose the cause or tn,
United states therein"