South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-06
HOUSE PASSES
BILL GIVING j. s.
WIRE CONTROL
Action of Senate on Measure
May Not Be Taken Until
After Body COnveneS
in August.

W ASH NJ 4 O.Nr - ui1 o. AiiC
Joint resolution, authorizing the
president to take over and operate
until the end of the war all tele-
graph. telephone. cable and radio
systems in the United States was
passed Friday night by the house.
u now goes to the senate, but indi-
cations were that action on it there
would be deferred until after the
midsummer recess, planned TO be-
gin the end Of this week.
The vote was 221 10 T. Those
voting against the resolution were
Fordney and Mclaughlin, Michigan;
Sterling, Illinois, and Woods, Iowa,
all republicans.
While the house was hastily
adopting the resolution authorizing
the government operation during
the war of all telegraph. telephone
and radio systems in the United
States, senate Leaders Friday night
received word from Pres't Wilson,
which they interpreted as indicating
his willingness to have final enact
ment of the resolution postponed
until after congress returns from
its midsummer vacation.
Continue Recess Plans.
Leaders in both Uouses Friday
night went ahead with plans for a
recess late Saturday night, until
Aug. Il, and il was said they would
be put through unless the president
Saturday insists upon immediate
passage OF the telegraph resolution
by the senate After conferences
with senate leaders. Majority Lead
er Kitchin gave notice in the house
Friday night that Saturday, after
disposition Of the conference reports
on the army and agricultural ap-
preparation bills he would offer a
concurrent resolution for a recess
until Aug y.
The telegraph resolution was
adopted oy the house Friday night
after a spirited debate in which
democratic leaders said the presi-
dent had expressed a desire for its
Passage at once and some republi-
cans had charged that the authority
proposed for the president would be
used 10 further the interests of the
democratic party. To expedite
passage OF the resolution, the house
previously had adopted by a vive
voce vote a rule limiting general
debate to two hours.
The resolution Will be sent 10 the
senate Saturday with leaders there
planning its reference 10 the inter
state commerce commission for
study and probably hearing during
the recess. Regardless of the re-
cess plans senate leaders said its
adoption by next Monday. the date
for which the strike of operators
employed by the Western Union
Telegraph Go. is called, is not pos
sible
Views Vary.
Wide variance Of the views OF
senate and house leaders on the
presidents position seemed appar-
ent during the day Chairman Pou
Of the house rules committee told
the house that he had discussed the
subject with Sec'y -umultv and
that the latter had informed him
that the president desired the house
10 adopt the resolution before the
recess.
Several hours later. while the
house was debating the measure.
sen. Martin or Virginia. democratic
leader of ,the senate. received a let
ter from the president asking him
TO make an Investigation and advise
the president whether il would be
practical under all conditions in
congress 10 secure action by the
senate at an early date Sen Mar
Tin sent a reply stating that disposal
OF the resolution before the recess
would not be practice ole. Upon
the assumption that the president
had not asked for immediate action
leaders Of both houses prepared for
clearing up all pressing legislation
Saturday II possible and have con
gress recess until August
Adoption OF the conference report
on the Sl2.OS5.O 200 600 army appro-
priation bill which was presented
Friday a vote by the house on the
senate's $3.50 wheat and a clean
up Of appropriation and other minor
measures is Saturdays program.
with view 10 a recess
Prohibition and suffrage.
Under the present plan wartime