The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-05-26
PRESIDENT IS HELD RESPONSIBLE; LETTER PRESENTED IN SENATE
Disgruntled Big Stick" of Sagamore Hill Replies to Postmaster General
 Burleson
By Associated Press


 Charging that the administra- tion has used it's powers to sti- file honest criticism, white at the same time condoning anti ally and anti-American ag1ta- tion in powerful newspapers, were made by Theodore Roose- welt today in a reply to Post master General Burleson in their controversy over the postoffiGe departments treat ment of publications.
 The charges were presented to the Senate by Senator Poindexeter of Washington.
 Colonel Roosevelt declared President Wilson personally was responsible for the Postmaster Generals attitude The hearst papers, he said, are among those that have received favored treat ment.
 MAKES DIRECT CHARGE
 since the war began" said Colonel roosevelt the administration has used the very great war powers of the govern ment over the public press to stifle hon. est criticism of government inefficiency or misconduct. while scondoning (which necessarily means encouraging pro-Ger- man, antl-ally and their anti-American agitation in certain powerful papers which defended this inefficiency and mis- conduct; and it has sought from Con- gress great addition to the already ex- lstlng power it has thus fnisused. I be- heve that the first article of the con- stltuton governs the right of the people 10 criticize truthfully the conduct of pub hc servants and that this right cannot be taken away by any law.
 DANGER IN TRUTH
 During the~~past year, the action of the administration, taken largely through the postoffice department, has been such as to render it matter of some danger for any man, and especially any news paper, to speak the truth, if that truth be unpleasant to the governmental au- thorlties in Washington. The effect of this attitude has been very marked po- Itically. Such coercve powers tend to kmake upright men. even although they are strong men, cautious about telling truths which ought to be told. It forces weak men to praise the administration whether it does well or i'll. It invites un- scrupulous men who desire to serve Ger many to gain license to do so and to secure advantages by praising the ad- minstration, especially when it acted wrongfully or inefficiently and by sup porting it politically.
 There are cases where all competent and honest observers are morally cetain that political support has been given and is now being given to the administration because various newspapers, especially German American and semi-socialistic newspapers, because of the club thus held over them by the administration. As re- gards the most striking cases of favor- itism those concerning the Hearst papers. as compared with the suppression of Tom Watson's paper and the attack (for nom- finally wholly different reasons) on the Metropolitan (magazine) herein give the facts and prove exactly what I have alleged. The administration has suc- cessfully endeavored to prevent express sion of opinion hostile to it and to put premium upon supporting the President personally and politically, without regard to whether his actions are detrimental or beneficial to the country"
 ASSAILS CREEL
 Colonel Roosevelt also assailed Chairman Creel of the committee on public information. and in imputing responsibility for the acts of the post master general and MT. Creel. said: :. T deal with Mr. BurIeson and his
 
 sentative of President Wilson exactly as is Secretary Baker: exactly as is MT. Creel. President Wilson is re- sponsible for everything Postmaster General Burleson and Secretary Baker and MT. Creel do or leave undone,'
 In attacking Creel Colonel Roosevelt declares he assails publications that truthfuly expose shortcomings of the administration and without regard to the facts personally and through his bureau actively upholds the adminis- tration in matters such as the aircraft programme, in which there has been grave governmental shortcomings.
 PARTISAN PROPAGANDA
 There is partisan political propa- ganda of the very worst type,' the for mer president declared .carrled on with public moneys under the guise of public work.''
 Regarding the Postmaster Generals alleged attitude toward the Hearst pa- pers, Colonel Roosevelt said:
 'sIt is true that since we entered the war Mir Hearst has at various times issued editorials profesing great pat riotisrn, but it WAS at the very time when in other editorials he was at tacking the allies of Arerica- Eng land and Japan, in the most offensive way and at the very time when he was upholding the Russian bolsheviki, who had made Russia a traitor to the free nations of the world and sub seryient ally~~of the German autoc- racy. Such action cannot fail to give aid and comfort to the enemy'