The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1918-07-14
SIXTEEN REPUBLICANS
AGAINST THE MEASURE
The Strike Call Of the Western Union
Operators Was Frequently Mention.
ed In the Debate-Anendmen Was
Offered to Exempt Press Wires, but
Was Voted Down.

Washington, July 13.-Congress to-
night granted President Wilson's re-
quest to take over and operate, tIs-
graph, telephone cable and radio liner
wy a vote of 46 to 1.-THE minority
all republicans. The senate adopted
without amendment the house resolu-
tion granting such power for the Pc
rlod OF the war. The resolution will
be signed by presiding officers OF
the senate and house and transmitted
to the president Monday.
All attempts to amend or modify
the administration measure which
passed the house July by a vote
of 221 to 4 were defeated at a session
lasting until nine O'Clock tonight.
Amendments by Senator Watson Of
Indiana, to except telephones and
press wires from the resolution were
defeated, Al to 20 and 80 to 21 re-
spectively. An amendment, by Sena-
tor Gore, Oklahoma democrat, to
limit action regarding telephones to
long distance wires was voted down.
W bile an amendment by Senator Reed
of Missouri. designed TO insure un-
restricted public use Of facilities, was
twice rejected.
Congress was asked to pass the leg
islation last week and the presidents
insistence upon immediate action up
set plans for long recess Saturday
night last. Secretaries Baker and
daniels and Postmaster General Burle
son appeared before the house COM
mittee to urge action as military
necessity, the war and navy depart
ment heads declaring the government
should control communication sys-
TENS to protect military secrets and
insure prompt handling of govern
ment messages.
A call for strike of Western Union
operators, cancelled Monday by union
officials, mentioned frequently in the
debate. played virtually no part in de.
termining the action of congress.
Republican opposition to the meas
ure was based largely on the con-
tention that no military necessity had
been shown and ON objection to what
was termed a further step toward
government ownership and socialism.
'Resolved, that the president dur
ing the continuance of the present
var is authorized and empowered
whenever he shall deem 1t necessary
for the national security or defense
to supervise or take possession and as
sumo control OF an, telegraph, tele-
phone, marine cable, or radio sys-
tens. or any part thereof, and to op-
crate the same in such manner as may
be needful or desirable for the dura-
tion OF the war. which supervision.
possession, control or operation shall
not extend beyond the date OF the
proclamation by the president of the
exchange OF ratifications of the
treaty of peace; provided, that just
compensation shall be made for such
supervision. possession, control or op-
GRAFTON, to be determined by tho presi
dent.
Provided, further that nothing III
this act shall be construed TO amend,
repeal, impair, or affect existing laws
or powers of the states in relation
to taxation or the lawful police regu-
lations of the several states except
wherein such laws, powers or regu~
lations may affect the transmission
OF government communications or the
use of stocks and bonds by such sys-
tenn or systems.