Evening star., 1918-07-12
WIRE CONTROL BILL
DEBATED FURTHER
Pomerene Says Senators
Want Information on Need
of Such Action.

troll resolution was resumed in the
Senate today, substitute for the
amendment introduced yesterday by
Senator Watson of Indians exempting
telegraph wires used by press bureaus
and press associations from govern
ment control was proposed by Senator
Reed of Missouri.
Under the substitute provision the
government would be prohibited from
interfering with the rights and privi-
leges of the people and the press as
heretofore enjoyed and would permit
government business being given
precedence on the wires.
Debate was opened by Senator
Pomerene of Ohio. who, while believ-
ing more extended hearings should be
held before final action on the reso-
luton is taken. declared he would
vote for the resolution. There has
Eeen no suggestion that the President
wanted this measure "railroaded"
through without adequate hearings
declared tie Ohio senator. who added
he believed senators would vote with
less reluctance on this measure II
they had more Information regarding
general conditions and the need for
such legislation.
''If it was the condition in this
country that the means of commune
cations were severely threatened, /
would vote on the instant and /
would be willing to go further and
direct the President to take over wire
communication" he declared. But
none has even suggested that this is
the situation. If there was any reason
why this should be passed I think it
would be passed unanimously by
Congress"
Arguments Take Up Afternoon.
The wire control resolution was de-
bated in the Senate all yesterday aft
ernoon. Opponents emphasized lack
of information regarding its military
necessity and insisted that further
hearings are necessary before intel
ligent action can be taken.
Pressing the resolution on the
ground that President Wilson re-
CARDS its grant OF authority as a.
military necessity. Senator Smith
and Senator Underwood of Alabama
said no present exigency Is known to
require its use. but that 1t is to arm
the President with power If need for
it should arise.
Opposition came principally from
republicans. Senator Smith of Micl.i-
gan vehemently declared government
control of communication systems
was q step toward socialism, with
dangers of press censorship, while
spoke at length. declared Congress is
asked to act without opportunity for
intelligent information or reasons for
it's enactment Senators Borah of
Idaho and Harding of Ohio also de-
manded information regarding it's
necessity.
Senator Borah said he had been in
formed that there are 100000 agents
of the Department of Justice, and
that he would venture to say there
are just as many disloyal men among
them as would be found among the
company's employees
Says No Emergency Exists.
Senator Kellogg of Minnesota.
member of the interstate commerce
committee. declared no emergency
existed and that a complete inyesti-
CATION and report was necessary for
intelligent action by the Senate.
THE whole subject could have been
considered in two or three days." he
said. "but the committee declined to
call government officials. including the
chief of the Signal Corps, telegraph
employees or Independent telephone
companies. whose representatives
were outside the door waiting to be
heard
Interstate Commerce Commission re-
ports, Senator Kellogg said. place In
vestment value of telegraph COM
panies at $154. 100000 and of tele-
phone companies having incomes OF
more than $4,000 annually at $685.
$4,000 If telephone lines are taken.
he said. 5000 independent and many
farmers lines, as well as the Bell in
terests, must be acquired.
Not Seeking Censorship.
Censorship is not the object of tho
resolution, Senator Pomerene assert
ed. quoting Mr.. Burleson's testimony
before the House committee.
Senator Smith OF Michigan inter-
rupted to declare that domestic mail
has been censored as well as tele-
grams. An hour after senator re-
Gently sent a telegram from San
Diego, Senator Smith. who recently
returned from California, declared,
government secret service agent ap-
peared to question the senator
Senator Lewis of Illinois said Post
master General. Burleson had assured
MN tHldll udu pcCh SP0hoN 0ho SShs-
sored by post office subordinates. mis-
taking the governments authority.
They were instantly dismissed.
Senator Sherman of Illinois said no
evidence Of alleged war necessity for
the legislation had been produced.
suggesting that extension Of govern
ment censorship was behind it and
again severely criticised Chairman
Creel Of the bureau Of public informa-
tion. A motion picture concern. Sem
ator Sherman said, has been given
He has modified his early enthu-
siasm. but not his views" Senator
Sherman stated, referring to yellow
tlepers of Journalism" and "skulking
dangers from the pen of a saffron