Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-11-26
CRITICISM OF REPUBLICANS.
President Vigorously Attacked for
Taking Over Cables.

President Wilson's action in taking
over control and operation Of marine
cable systems and express agencies
were vigorously criticised last Thurs
day in senate by republican senators
who said 1t was part Of a plan to es-
tablish permanent government-own-
efship. --.- -.,..-.
The speakers were Senators Wat
son, of Indiana: Kellogg. of Minnesota,
and Sherman, of Illinois. and in the
course of the debate the president was
criticised for his decision to go to
Europe, and George Creel, chairman
of the committee on public informa-
ton, who, 1t has been reported, is to
accompany the president. also was
attached.
Senator Watson denounced the pres
idcnt's action in taking over cable
lines as a breach of faith and charged
that their control was inspired by a
desire for government censorship OF
dispatches during the peace con-
ference so that the representatives OF
the European natives at the peace
table may not know what is being said
in the American congress about the
conference.
Lewis Fails of Recognition.
In the midst of the debate. Senator
Lewis, Of Illinois. the de.nocra &C whip
sought to reply to the republican SEN
ators but he did not get recognition
He, did, however. offer a resolution
which would put congress on record
as favoring government ownership OF
railroads. telegraph and telephone
lines.
In declaring his belief that the pres
idents action was a breach Of faith
Senator Watson said congress voted
this extraordinary power for war pur-
poses only.
why Is the step taken?" asked the
senator. "In my belief it is taken SIM
ply because Of the fact that the pres
ident Is loath to give up any Of the
power we have clothed him with. and
that these subordinates about him, in
cluding those of the cabinet. do not
intend to relinquish that power un-
less compelled to do so.
I'VE are left to the wide field OF
conjecture as to why the president
saw fit at this particular time to take
over the cables.
Not q Necessity Of War.
Certainly no one will claim that he
is taking them over as a necessity Of
war. take 1t for granted that when
the president leaves these shores tc
all intents and purposes the cable
lines will be cut. l take 1t for granted
that he does not intend that any mar
at the peace table shall know what Is
being said in the house Of representa-
tives and on the floor of this body. and
take 1t for granted that we are not
to know on this side what they are
doing.
With George Creel at that end con.
trolling all Of the messages and infor-
nation and with Albert Burleson al
this end controlling all Of the sources
of information. its very verbiage ir
fact, the country may well be warned
that It may take at least with grain
Of salt whatever is published as te
what happens on the other side"
Sherman Critieises Wilson
Senator Sherman said there might
be some necessity for the president
going abroad but that he could not sec
1t. and added that no provision is made
in the constitution for the absence Of
the president from the territorial linn
its of the United States. The white
house, he said, will be moved to Paris
and added:
I'VE are left to the tender mercies
of the censored cable: passports de-
nicd. cables controlled and Creel sits
as imperial director at the source Of
action"
Senator Kellogg said that there was
no war necessity for taking over ca.
BILE lines and express agencies as tht
armistice has been signed and addet
that in his opinion the action "is par
Of a plan to fasten government-own'
ership to telegraph telephone and ca
BILE lines on the country"