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1 [ . ■ I . ! . . , ■ I ; . 1 "KILL THE BILL," SAYS HAYS I I Postmaster Generai Strongly Disapproves Measure : Prohibiting Publication of Racing News. | NEW YORK. N. V.. January 10.— Postmaster Geaeral Hays has thrown a bomb into the caaap of Dr. Wilbur V. Crafts and the other proponents of the bill when he sent a letter to Knute Nelson. rhairaaaa of the judiciary committee, urging that Se-tion B of the bill be killed. The letter of the Postmaster General is as follows: "My attention has been called to H. R. fi."i0 . and more particularly to section 5. which was la- t reflated in that bill just as it was passing the House. The bill is primarily intended to prevent the transpoi iation of lottery and cheating devic -. through the mails. Such provisions are desirable. "This particular Section 5 makes it an offense for newspapers to publish racing news. I favor the bill, but am opposed to this Section 5. I was not consulted ahead it, and I hope this section does not pass. Tlie whole bill had better be defeated, in my opinion, than to add this additional curtailment of the freedom of the press. There has been a very strong tendency of late in that direction, ami I am sure it is essential that such tendency be checked. I am reminded of Voltaires statement: T wholly disapprove what you say and I will defend with my life your riglil to say it. 1 trust that Section 5 will be stricken from the bill." Section 5 of tlie House bill, which was inserted in a lottery bill by Representative Walsh of Mas-I achusetts. would prohibit ail news of racing or any I other sports on which wagers are made. Publishers from all sections of the country ate protesting against any restriction of the freedom of the press, and it is not thought likely that the V.ill will ever be reported out of committee.
