Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-07-01
WILSON FOR
TAKING OVER
WIRE LINES
Favors Control of Tele
graph and Telephone
Congress to Act.

ment control and operation of
the nations telegraph and telp-
Fnone systems was recommends
ed 10 congress today by Pres
ident Wilson.
In the face Of an impending
strike OF union operators en-
peoyed h. the Western Union
company an effort will be made
TO put through before the re-
cess OF congress this week
pending legislation the power
Of the president taking them
over.
Members Of congress said today
+ that the attorney general had ad-
/ gised the president that he is with
cut authority under existing law to
b take over the lines and that if nee
/ essity for action arose with cor
. gress in recess he would be without
power to act.
/ A resolution authorizing the pres
ident TO take over the lines prob
ably will be reported favorably by
/ the committe this afternoon.
( The resolution which was intro
Guced by Representative AswelI of
Louisiana. reads:
THAT the president, if, in his
discretion it is deemed desirable in
OTdeT 10 insure their continuous
operation or to guard the secrecy
/ of military and governmental COM
muniCations or to prevent commun-
IcatiOn by spies and other public
enemies thereon, or Ger Tofher milf
tary or public reasons, shall have
power 10 take possession and con-
troll of any telegraph, telephone.
marine cable or radio systems. and
operate the same subject TO those
conditions of law. so far as appli-
cable, which are in force as 10
steam railroads, which are under
federal control"
BurIesOn Urged Action.
The presidents views were con
veyed in brief note to Chairman
Sims Of the house interstate and
foreign commerce committee en-
dorsing a letter written by Postmas-
ter General Burleson. urging iegis-
lation 'at this moment when the
paralysis Of d large part of the sys-
tenn of electrical communication is
threatened
Mr.. Sims has written to the pres
ident. Secretaries Baker and Dan
iels. asking the opinion on a pend
ing bill introduced by Representa-
tive AsweIl of Louisiana, empower
ing the president to take over tele-
~ fo1npr1y,h
systems.
May Await Strike Result.
IT is understood that the presi-
dent has not concluded definitely to
take over the telegraphs and tele-
phones as soon as the power is
given. He probably viii await the
result OF the strike Of the Western
Union operators called for July S.
Union officials claim One-fOurth
of the 10000 operators of the West
eru Union will walk out. The COM
pauy insists that the strike call
will have no substantial effect upon
its business.
Action Deferred.
Action on the resolution was de-
ferred until tomorrow by the pub
lie committee and Chairman Sims
invited Secretaries Baker and Dan
iels and Postmaster General Burle-
son to appear then and further ex-
plain their views.
Telephones Not Opposed.
New York. July Theodore y.
Vail president Of the American
Telephone and Telegraph company,
said today that the company would
enter no objection at this time TO
cor rgressionaI legislation as recon-
mcnded by President Wilson under
which the telegraph and telephone
lines would be taken over by the
government.
Il believe in giving the president
all the powers he wants in the
matter Of control Of the telegraph
and telephone lines. Mr. Vail add
ed. 81 have no statement TO make
now. Al the proper time this com
Uanv will he prepared to place its
position before the public