Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-26
SAYS WAR POWERS USED TO
STIFLE PROPER CRITICISM
Alleges Pro-Gcrman Press Has
OHenses Condoned to Adj
vance Political Interests.
HOLDS WILSON RESPONSIBLE
Declares II Has Become Dangerous
for One to Speak Truth In En-
posing Inctl:cicncy.

WASHINGTON. May ga rery %?
Theodore Roosevelt 10 Postmaster Gen
era! Burleson to-day in their coniro-
the Pest Office Department In treatment
OF publications., presented to the SEN
ate to-day by Senator PoindcHter. Of
Washington, charged that the admin
istration had played for and against
d.feren, newspapers and magazines
and that President Wilson was directly
responsible.
The administration. Mr. Roosevelt de-
clared. has coudoned tho artially at'i-
tude o: certain pubi!cr tions-srlone
them. the Hearst ncwSpapcrs-w while
embarrassing those that have made
honest criticism Of the conduct OF the
war.
since tho war began said Colonel
Roosevelt. "thc administration has
used the vcry Srea, war powers Of
the government over the puHlic press
10 s,lHe honest criticism OF govern
nent incGiciency and misconduct while
condoniuG (Which necessarily means
cncouragiuE) Of pro-GcrI rIrnn. antially
and an,i-Amcr!can agitation IN Ger
tain powerful! papers which defended
this ineHioiencY and misconduct, and
1t has sough, from Congress a great
addition 70 the already existing power
IL has thus misuscd. believe that
the FIRST article OF the Constitution
guarantees the righ: Of the people To
criticize truthful!y the conduct Of tne!r
public servants and that this rlgh,
cannot be taken away by any Law.
SAYS II Is DANGEROUS
TO FLtN INE.FFICIENCY
During the past year the action Of
the administration. taken largely
has heen such Is 10 render 4 matter
OF some danger for any man. and csDr-
cial!y any newspaper. u speak the
truth. If that truth be Unpleasant to
the governmental authorities AT Wanh-
inston. The effect OF this attitude has
been very marked. politically. Such
coerciv. powers tend 10 make upright
men. even although they arc strong
men. cautious about telling truths
which ought TO be told. 1t forces weak
men 10 praise the administration.
whether 1t does well or Ill II Invite,
unsorupu iouS men VINO desire 10 serve
Germany to gain licen-- 20 do 80 and
administration. especially when il
acted wronGfully o.. incfic!entIy and
by supporting it politically.
There are cases where all compctcn.
and honest observers are morally GER
tain tha, political support has been
given and is now being given 20 the
administration by various newspa pers,
especially German-Ameriean and semi
Social:stic newspapers, because of the
club thus held over them by the ad-
ministration. As regards The most
striking cases OF .avor!tism. those con-
cerning the Hearst papers, as compared
with the suppression OF Tom Watson's
paper, anG the attack (for nominally
wholly different rcasons) on the Metro
politan. tmagazine). | herein give the
facts which prove exactly what l have
alleged. The administration has sue
cessful!y endeavored to prevent ex-
preston OF opinion hostile to ii. and
10 put a premium upon supporting the
President personally and politically
without regard TO whether his actions
are detrimental or beneficial TO the
country"
Colonel Roosevelt also assailel Chair
man Creel. OF the Committee on Pub
lie Information, and IN imputing re-
sponsibility for the acts OF the Post
master General and Mr.. Creel. said:
II deal with Mr. Burleaon and his
actions purely because he is a repre
sentative of President Wilson. exactly
as is Secretary Baker. exactly as is
Mr.. CrceL President Wilson is rcsnon.
sible for everything Postmaster-Gen.
eral Burleson or Secretary Baker
Mr.. Creel do or leave undone"
In attacking Creel, Colonel Roose.
Welt declared he "assails publications
that truthfully expose SHORTCOMINGS of
the administration and without regard
to the facts personally and tbrou,,h
his bureau actively upholds the admin
istration in matters such as the air.
craft program. in which has been grave
governmental shortcomings"
This is partisan political propaGan
da of the very worst type" the former
President declared. Carried on with
public moneys under the guise of pub.
lie work"
Regarding the Postmaster-G Generals
alleged attitude toward the Hearst DID,
pers, Colonel Roosevelt said:
1T was true that since we entered
the war. Mr.. Hearst mas at various
times Issued editorials protesting great
patriotic zeal. but il was at tho very
time when in other editorials he was
attacking the allies OF America-Eng-
land and Japan--in the most offensive
way and at the very time when lie was
upholding the Russian Bolsheviki, who
had made Russia traitor to the free
nations of the world and subscrvient
ally OF the German autocracy. Sach
action cannot fail to give aid and COM
fort to Germany"