Arizona republican., 1918-02-20
advocated by the California senator

advocated by the California senator and by Representative Stephens.
 Senator Townsend pointed out many alleged defects in the bill. asserting that it was not understood by many committee members and that the rail- roads are supporting the measure in expectation of rate incerase. He said he doubted whether the government could enforce the provision prohibit- ing railroads from paying dividends higher than their regular rates.
 Representative Sims urged adoption of provisions giving the president the power to establish rates and to retain control of the carriers two years after peace is declared.
 Senator Norris criticized what he termed excessive compensation pro- vided for the railroads and said pro- vision for rate making by the president was unnecessary and unwise."
 No Secret Diplomacy
 Senator Johnson digressed from his discussion of the railroad legislation to express his approval of President Will sons recent stand against secret di- plomacy and the presidents policy of addressing congress from time to time in the open forum of the world. | q advert to this subject" the sen ator said, because I deprecate the un- democratic and un-American suppress sion and repression which character ized the first months of our entrance into the war and which yet obtains in some circles.
 "The idea last year seemed prevalent and to find sanction with various indi- | l. @@ f.@ press, that absolute silence, and sub- mission without complaints to any de- | ficiency or injustice were the only measures of loyalty. If any individual with highest motives sought to lay bare a wrong, forthwith he was charged with lending aid and comfort to the enemy. I will not subscribe to any doctrine that either in peace or in wal 1 legitimate, honest and conscientious suggestions or criticism may not be indulged. This government yet be- | lcngs to all it's people, and they are entitled to know not only how, diplo- matically. the government deals witt 1 the nations of the earth, but to know as well that which concerns the in. ternational policies which yet contro the republic situated within the bound aries of the United States, and beyond this they are entitled to know wha intimately concerns their property ant their lives.
 "Disloyalty and treason cannot thriv' ill the light. Neither can incompetence that strong ally to failure. Officia suppression and concealment are a, vicious as the secret diplomacy anC private bargaining which Presiden Wilson so justly condemns. The pre- tense that the people cannot be tolt the truth is the artifice of incompe tent men who are afraid to face th test of public scrutiny. No man, o course, is entitled unjustly to criticize nor to indulge in favorable license O expression. The real test of criticism is whether it is just or unjust. If con sciously unjust it should subject hin who utters it to the contempt of all If just. it vindicates itself. When tn time comes that members of that sup posedly popular branch of the govern ment, must refrain from utterances de signed to render patriotic service be cause the utterances are at varianc with the views of either official O majority, the end has come to Sur de mocracy. and the congress no longe performs a useful service to the peo ] ple.".