Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-08
SED|T|0N BILL
Final Legislative Ac-
ton Is Taken
Now Goes to President for Sisnaturs
HAS Been Assaulted As A Menace
To Free Speech and championed
As Essential to Order At Homo
During War

Washington. May Final legsla-
tive action was taken today on the
sedition bill, giving the government
broad new powers to punish disloyal
acts and utterances. Adopting a con-
ference report already approved by
the Senate, the House sent to the
President for his signature the meas
ur which has been before Congress.
for weeks, assailed as Il menace to
free speech and championed as essen
tial to order at home during the war,
The President is expected to sigr
the bill promptly, and through Wig
orous enforcement of it's provisions
officials of the department of jus
tice say they will be able to do much
toward checking the wave of mob
outbreaks for which unpublished dis
loyalty and enemy activity are
blamed.
Penalties of 20 years Imprisonment
or fine of $4,000 or both are pro-
vided in the bin for those convicted
of uttering or printing disloyal, apu-
slve, profane. scurrilous, conteElptu-
Gus or abusive langue about the
United States or the government or
the form of government or the flaS
and for those who are convicted of
favorins Germany or her allies in
+ the present war
The debate in the House was not 50
extended as in the Senate, and whils
some opposition developed there. only
4 Of 81;
voted against the report on the final
test. Reps. Lundeen of Minnesota. Re
publican. and Church OF California.
Democrat voted present"
Representative London sought vainly
to send the report back TO conference
because of the elimination of the Sen.
ate amendment exempting from penal.
~ those who in criticism of the gov,
eminent speak the truth with COOL
motives and for justtiable ends. Rep
Gordon of Ohio. Democrat. declared
the senate placed language in the bin
which plainly is in violation of the
| federal constitution guaranteeing free
speech" Others opposed the bill large
~ because of their objection to con-
ferrng new censorship powers on the
postmaster general. who Is authorized
to refuse the service of the mails to
any person or concern using the mails
IN violation of the proposed act.
Representative johnson of Washing
ton attacked Rep. Londons criticism
OF the provision against using abusive
language against the constitution OF the
United States and wanted to know
whether the Socialist member approve
the activities of the I. W. w.
when group of constituencies en-
! pioyers refuse to recognize the RICH
/ of people to organize. they will havt
to deal with the l. w W." Rep. Londor
replied. Il believe the |. w. w. is The
working out OF the law of compensa
! ton"
Il am eternallv opposed to having the
! constitution made over along the line:
OF Karl Marx book on Socialism" re-
torted by Johnson, and | am also op.
! posed to making the Stars and Stripe.
into red flag of revolution for the an.
archists of the |. w. W. or the Social
! lists"
! Representative Webb OF North Carroll
ma, chairman OF the judiciary commit
! tee, who led the fight for the report in,
sisted that the powers proposed were
| necessary.