Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-09
SENATE HEARS
POST AsSA|[EO
As SOCIALIST
Sherman Raps High Brow
Reform Clique In
sedition Debate
GEORGE CREEL ALSO
RECEIVES ATTENTION

RECEIVES ATTENTION
washington, D. C.. April s.-De-
mands for laws to punish disloyal Ut
terances were renewed IN the senate
today when the sedition bill was TAKEN
up for debate. !.
Senator Borah Of Idaho said that II
the measure would prohibit q free dis-
cussion Of the efnciency or inemciency
Of any department or ofncial, or the
wisdom or unwisdom OF any omcial.
he would oppose 1t. Senator sherman
said the language of the bill is sum-
ciently broad to make any slight un-
complimentary reference to PUBIC
oficiaf an ofrense.
HIoHeRoW SOCIALISTS RAPED
Senator Sherman said he heard
more criticism Of the government and
the supreme court at meetings OF the
National League OF Popular Govern
ments than at socialist meetings on
the lake front in Chicago.
Have you heard criticisms OF the
supreme court In this chamber! Z"
asked Senator Gallinger Of New
Hampshire.
,''I have. was the reply.
An attack on Louis F. Post, assist
ant secretary of labor, was made by
the Illinois senator, who said the Post
family owns the publication called
"The Public" which he described as
"a single tax sheet and socialist at
heart the exponent and mouthpiece
Of every governmental error"
SLAP At POSTS CLAN
"Nr. Post" he continued, "is a con-
!trisntor to that publication as are .
great variety OF social settleunnt
workers, all OF whom are high in this
administration"
Senator Sherman declared the bill,
II passed, would be administered by
."social settlement workers and not
statesmen"
..Do you approve Of that kind OF
preaching?" asked Senator Poindexter
Of Washington referring to The Pub
lie.
SHERMAN WAKES SARCASTIC
81 do not" Senator Sherman replied.
"Those are the things this bill is In
tended to prohibit" said Senator Poin.
dexter. who added that he suggested
the bill be amended so that no 'bol-
shevik shall have anything to do with
its enforcement"
"That would break up the admins
tration.' replied Senator Sherman.
An amendment by Senator Thomas
of Colorado was adopted providing
that utterances and publications abus-
i've Of the government, constitution.
soldiers and sailors. the American
flag, ETC., shall be "wilful" before the
penalties apply.
cREEL, COURTS CRITIC
Senator Sherman added that he
could not think OF anything more dis
loyal under the bill than articles writ
ten several years ago by George Creel.
chairman of the committee on public
information, criticizing the supreme
court. Too many men whose advice is
unsound, Senator Sherman said, are
officials under the present administra-
ton and should not be given additional
and broad powers. Disclaiming criti-
cism OF the president the Illinois sena.
tor said he was free to attack many
Of his ministers who are unpatriotiC
in times of peace and wrap themselves
in a mantle Of war preparations to con-
ceal the rottenness of their carcasses."'
FEARS GAG ON PRESS
Some newspaper editors fear that
il the bill is enacted they might have
to discontinue their editorial depart
ments.' declared Senator Gallinger.
"Multitudes Of men will tremble II
they undertake to discuss political
matters next October and November,
II this bill is enacted"
Senator Fletcher of Florida said that
the phrase, form Of government,
could not be construed to include ad.
ministration ofiicials.
coLLINsvlLLE MOB FlAYED
A sharp attack upon Mayor Siegel
and officials Of Collinsville, Ill.,, for
permitting "a drunken mob, masQuer.
aiding under the guise OF patriotism
to lynch Robert Prayer, an alien min
er, was made by Senator Sherman
who declared that the mob itself was
more OF a disgrace to the country and
to republican government than any
thing Prayer could have said. The sen
ator charged that the mob obtained
LIQUOR at neighboring town and ther
returned to Collinsville and attacked
Prayer.
Senator Sherman also charged thai
Mayor Siegel and the police Of Collins
vile made no effort to save Prayers
life. Senator Sherman said he had nc
apology to make for Prayer.
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FALL FATAL TO FLYER
Fort Worth, Tex. April S.-M w
Kirwen. Royal Flying Corps cadet. was
killed here this afternoon on the eve