NO CEREALS OR GRAINS IN LIQUOR MANUFACTURE

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2307

SENATE VOTES DOWN LIQUOR IN ESPIONAGE ACT AMENDMENT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago tonight, May 12, 1917, the United States Senate approved an amendment to the Espionage Act which forbade the use of cereals and grains in the manufacture of all alcoholic liquors with the exception of wine.

The "prohibition" amendment offered by Senator Albert B. Cummins (R-Iowa) was supported by 22 Democrats and 16 Republicans.  There were 19 Democrats and 13 Republicans who opposed the amendment.

The Cummins Amendment read...

"On or after September 1, 1917, during the war with Germany, it shall be unlawful to use...any cereal, grain, sugar or sirup in the production of intoxicating liquor."

Punishment for violation of the law was set at a fine of $5000 and/or up to 3 years imprisonment.

*Albert Baird Cummins (1850-1926) was born in Carmichaels, PA & attended Waynesburg College.  He studied law in Chicago & was admitted to the bar in 1875.  ABC served as governor of Iowa 1902-1908 & as U.S. Senator for 18 years.  He was president pro tempore of the Senate 1919-1925.

SOURCE

"DRY U.S. IN WAR:  Senate Votes Blow At Liquor To Save Nation's Food", The Chicago Sunday Tribune, May 13, 1917.

Albert Baird Cummins
Harris & Ewing Collection
Library of Congress Photo

WILSON GETS EMBARGO POWER BUT CRITICIZED FOR FAILURE TO CONSULT CONGRESS

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2302

EMBARGO POWER RESTORED TO PRESIDENT IN ESPIONAGE ACT

Washington, D.C.  (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, May 7, 1917, the United States Senate restored to the Espionage Act the power of the President of the United States "to proclaim it unlawful to export articles....when the public safety shall so require."

The restoration came after Democratic leader Thomas S. Martin* "explained behind closed doors" that the President feared he would be unable to achieve the ends desired under the section (of the act) as it had been modified.

Before the Senate acted, however, Republicans criticized the President in five hours of debate for failing to consult with Members of Congress about the proposed legislation.

Although the new section was approved without one dissenting vote, Republican Senator Charles E. Townsend** said he understood the purpose of the legislation was to force neutral nations into the war.  The Senator argued that if this was true, the United States had abandoned 'the high ideals we have set as a reason for entering this war.'


*Thomas Staples Martin (1847-1919) was born in Scottsville, VA & served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.  TSM attended the University of Virginia after the war & served in the U.S. Senate for nearly 25 years.

**Charles Elroy Townsend (R-Michigan) was born in Concord, MI & attended the University of Michigan.  He was admitted to the bar in 1895 & served in the US House of Representatives 1903-1911 & in the United States Senate 1911-1923.

SOURCE

"Wilson Is Given Embargo Power; Debate Bitter, Many Senators Attack His Refusl to Ask For Advice," The Chicago Daily Tribune, May 8, 1917, www.archives.chicagotribune.com/

Thomas S. Martin

Library of Congress Photo

Charles E. Townsend

Biographical Directory

U.S. Congress

SENATE VOTES TO CENSOR NEWS DURING WWI

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2285

PRESIDENT MAY MAKE REASONABLE REGULATIONS OF THE PRESS DURING WARTIME

Washington, D.C.  (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, April 20, 1917, the United States Senate voted to censor news in the American press during wartime.  An amendment to the Espionage Act of 1917*, which would have nullified a section on press censorship, was defeated by a vote of 40 to 34.  The majority of Senators voting against the amendment were Democrats.

Under the press censorship section, the President of the United States may make "reasonable regulations" concerning the publication of information relating to military plans and movements.  If the regulations were not followed, heavy penalties would be applied.

The President's censor, George Creel**, would be responsible for formulating the reasonable regulations of the press.

*The Espionage Act of 1917 went into effect on June 15, 1917.  It punished acts of interference with foreign relations & foreign commerce.  The act also set punishment for espionage.

**George Edward Creel (1876-1953) was born in Lafayette County, MO.  His father was a captain in the Confederate army during the Civil War.  GEC became owner & editor of The Independent, a Kansas City newspaper.  During WWI, he served as head of the US Committee on Public Information, popularly known as the Creel Committee.

SOURCE

"SENATE VOTES TO CENSOR NEWS IN AMERICAN PRESS," The Chicago Daily Tribune, April 21, 1917, www.archives.chicagotribune.com/

George Creel

Bain Photograph (1917)

Library of Congress Image

ESPIONAGE ACT OF 1917 & SEDITION ACT OF 1918

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2245

PRESIDENT WILSON PREPARES FOR A MILITARY DICTATORSHIP

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 100 years ago today, March 11, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson's administration was preparing a program, including the punishment for espionage and censorship of criticism of the government, in the event of war with Germany.

Arthur Sears Henning wrote...

"Foremost among the plans being worked out (includes) the establishment of...a military dictatorship."

Once the Wilson program was enacted into law, the President would have the power "to suppress all...inefficient and inadequate defense policy and all criticism of the administration."*

The Wilson program, as described by Mr. Henning, included...

-rigid censorship of the press
-an espionage bill
-appropriations for the navy
-build up of the army to 500,000
-development of plans for employment & coordination of industrial resources


*The Espionage Act of 1917, passed on June 15, provided for the punishment of interference with foreign relations & the foreign commerce of the U.S., the punishment of espionage & better enforcement of the criminal laws of the U.S.

The Sedition Act of 1918, passed on May 16, forbade the use of "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the US government, its flag or its armed forces."

SOURCE

"Wilson Seeks Great Power on Publicity," by Arthur Sears Henning, March 12, 1917, The Chicago Daily Tribune, www.archives.chicagotribune.com/

"Blessed Are the Peacemakers"

anti-war cartoon by George Bellows

The Masses (1917)