The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-04
Sympathy for Measure to
Guard Official Secrets Is
Denied by Roosevelt.
SPONSORED BY HULL
Bill Passed by House Gives
Far Preaching Control
Over Nations Press.
BY RAY TUCKER
Times Special Writer

IlOllSt OlllIldl CtLltlo VII q RRNH% ~
certain today when it was learned
that the White House disclaimS
sympathy or responsibility for the
most far reaching control Of the
press and sources Of public lntorma-
ton ever proposed in time Of peace.
Despite disclaimers by state de-
-partment sponsors that 1t is aimed
at the press. and insistence that 1t
is designed solely TO protect dlplo-
matte secrets and avoid trouble With
a pacific power, senate Democrats
and Republicans denounced the bils
provisions.
Even Representative Hatton Sum-
ners Dem. Tex, sponsor of the
measure as house judiciary commit
tee chairman, comedies it must be
revised radically.
President Roosevelt let it become
known that he did not hear of the
bill until it had passed the house
late Monday afternoon.
Though it was sponsored by State
Secretary Cordell Hull, and framed
by the department of justice, the
President is understood to hope it
will die in the senate. 1t is said
that its provisions will not be ap-
piled during his administration.
Asked by State Department
The impression it was Roosevelt
measure apparently grew out OF
representations made to the house
judiciary committee by a member OF
the state department legal staff.
In reporting the measure favora-
bly, after haSty consideration and
resort to extraordinary procedure
this committee informed the house
that "the executive branch of the
government has requested the en-
actment of this legislation at the
earliest practicable date, and salts
factorily has demonstrated to the
committee the need for it"
The state department official is
said to have warned the committee
at an executive session of a posi-
BILE breach in diplomatic relations
and possible war with a pacific
power if the measure were not
enacted with wartime swiftneSs.
Censorship Catch All 4, =
FROM many sources it was learned
that he referred to possible publ
cation of a book by a former code
expert in the state department, al
legged to divulge diplomatic secrets
of this and other powers.
Publication of this book was de-
layed when the manuscript was inn
pounded in February by George z
Medaiie, United States attorney at
New York, it is said.
Although described as primarily
designed to prevent publication of
this book, and similar disclosures
the bill was passed around among
various departments for additions
and became a censorship catch-all
This was the official explanation
given by the state department when
kilograms and telephones Of protest
reached congress, the White House
and the state department.
AT first, house leaders insisted it
was what state department SpokeS-
men represented it to be, namely
nothing more than measure to
protect diplomatic codes and secrets
in this governments possession.
Provides Heavy Penalties
But more careful perusal con-
WINGED them that a correspondent
or publisher of newspaper, maya
zine or book could be jailed for ten
years and fined $4,000 for record
ing legitimate news. Depending on
the construction and administration
of the bill, it could be used to Jail
those responsible for giving out and
publishing unemployment statistics
through other than official chan
nels.
Besides providing heavy penalties
for government officials and private
publishers, who made public secret
codes and diplomatic condolences
the bill sets up the same penalties
for those who publish any matter
which was obtained while in process
of transmission from one public
Office, executive department, or in
dependent establishment of the
United States. or branch thereof"
TIE tests of guilt are prescribed
as "willful' publication and whether
the matter is 'prejudicial to the
safety or interest of the United
States
Opposed by Hoosier Senators
The final section provides that In
any prosecution hereunder. proof OF
the commission of any of the acts
described herein shall be prims
facie evidence. of a purpose prejudi-
cial to the safety or interest of the
United States"
Senator Van Mugs dem, Ind
said: While the bill may meet ar
emergency situation very accepta-
bly,, I want TO give it serious study
1t deserves careful scrutiny, for it
seems to take long step toward
abridging the rights of free press
1t seems to be a step in a direction
We should hesitate to take until We
learn where the trail ends"
Senator Robinson (Rep.. Ind
said: i am amazed at this bill. ]
am opposed to any kind of gag law
and any kind of restriction on free
dom Of speech and press. And if il
is a matter of affecting our foreign
relations. I think the people have a
right TO know Just how grave the
situation is. They have a right to
know what the worst may be. The
bill will not pass the senate without
an airing of the facts"
PuckerlesS Persimmon, Goal