The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-11-22
WILSON POLICY
UNDER ATTACK.
IN THE SENATE
BREACH OF FAITH IS
CHARGED BY WATSON
Alleges Cable Control Is for
the Purpuose of Exer-
cising Censorship.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 31.-Presldent
Wilson's action in taking over coh'oi
and operation Of marine cable systems
and express agencies were vigorously
criticized today in the senate by RcPup-
| lican senator's, who said It WAS part oL
n plan to establish permanent govern
mcnt ownership.
The speakers were Senators WATSON
Of Indiana: Kellogg Of Minnesota ana
! Sherman of Illinois. and IN tho course
| of the debate, tho president was criu-
! cizcd for his decision to 80 to Europe
md George Crccl, chairman Of the com
miltce on public information. who, II
| had been reported. is To accompany lhc
| president, also WAS attacked
| Senator Watson denounced the pres
| fdcnt's action in taking over caolc l'I'c"
! as n breach Of faith. and charged thht
| their control was inspired by a ueSile
for government censorship or dlSPatcn-
| &c during the peace conference. so tnat
the representatives OF the European nv
tions al tho peace table may not kno"
what is being said in the American
| congress about the conference
Didn't See Lewis.
In the midst OF tn" debate. Seha'"'
! Lewis Of Illinois. the Democratic WIFI
sought 10 reply In tho Rcpuhllcan sen
atnrs. but did not get rcc"Eni'lon. ii1
did however. Offer q resolution Which
mr. congress on record rs favnrinE gov
! ernmrnt ownership Of railroads and '"'-
cgrarh and telephone lines. =
II In declaring his belief that the nresi-
\ dcnt's action was breach OF 1aF NJ
i senator Watson said congress Hnt"i
/ this extraordinary power for war pur
I poses only.
WHY is that rtnp tnkcn?" asked inc
senntor. I'm my belief il is taken SIM
| nly because uf thr fact that tho PrcS'-
dent is loath 10 give up any or IN" po"
or that we have clothed him WIN an"
that these subordinatcs about MIN. IN
| Guiding those nf tn" cabinet. 90 not III
tend To rclinqish that power unless 'co'r''
nclIcd TO do so by Legislative actl9n'
we are loft TO tho wid" tlcld OIL cor.
| lecture as 10 why til" president saw III
at this particular time to take over ''''
cables.
Not Necessary
| "Tcrtainly no one will claim that nv
Is taking thorn over As necessity VA
Yrar II take it for granted that whcl
,br nrcsidcnt lcnvcS these shores 10 al
intcnts and purposes, tho chnle INV.
will bc cut take il for granteq ina
hc docs not intend that any man a. lIie
neacc table shall know what Is oe'l'H
| s,;d ;n tic sr-cf~rcprrse1tatlTrS ant
On the floor Of this body, md tnke II
for granted that wr arc not IN k"o" w
l,hiE sid, what they are doing.
with George C'rcrl at that end con
trailing nil Of the messages and lntor
nation and with Alfred Rurl"son a
this md controlling all Of TIL" sources
Of information. it is very NcroihEe u
fact. the country may we'll hr warncC
that il may take at least with q gran
Ior salt, whatever is published. ms : ''
what happens on tho other sac.
Sherman In Attack.
Senator sherman said there might "
! como necessity for th" president Eo'nt
. abroad, but that hc could not sec j.
and added that M provision Is mane u
: tho constitution for tho absence ot IN
president from the t"rrltorial i'ii,I.S =
Tho United States. Tho WHIT" iouSe
hr said, will be moved to farisr "h'
added: ~
: we are loft 10 tho tender merctes \"
censored cable. passports oenieo
rahcs controlled. and Cr"cl sits as I'M
pcriaI dictator nj tho s"urc" or a1t'',
senator Kellogg said there was NJ
war necessity for taking over capI
limos and express agencies. AH IN" ar
mis,icc has hccu signed. and added 'ua
in his opininn the action lis part OF
nIon 10 fast.n gorcrnmcn ownership "
, trlcgrarh. telephone and cable line
: upnn tho country.