The Washington herald., 1918-07-13
SOLONS RECESS
AFTER PASSING
WIRE MEASURE
Vote Expected Today III
Senate-Debate Pro-
ceeds with Acridity.

Practical agreement has been reach
ed for the Senate to begin tonight
3-day recesses until August 20 to
2e. This is tantamount to an ad-
fjournment of Congress, for the House
is already operating under s-day
recesseS.
Senate leaders expect to pass the
administration wire control bill to-
| day. and then present the recess
resolution.
Senators In charge OF the "wire
control bill said last night they did
not now expect the protracted debate
heretofore anticipated from the Re-
publican side. The compromise was
reached after an agreement had been
made to postpone prohibition until
after the recess period.
THE wire" bill took up the time
of the Senate yesterday. Senator
Lewis, of Illinois, caused the sensation
of the day, when he more than limited
the government wishes to take the
lines to guard against spies.
TN giving my reasons" said he,
IT answer upon my knowledge of
affairs In this government gathered
from responsible sources. Let US sup
pose a cable in Newfoundland owned
in America, one in Cuba owned in
America, one In Mexico owned In
America. These are reached by tele-
phone voices and telegraph messages.
| innocent upon their face, conveying
what appears to be unimportant in
formation. yet when sent over the
cables mean disclosures as to the
movement of every ship that puts out
with a cargo OF mothers sons. bounc
for France. Should not such a thing
| be prevented by control Of every
lives OF our soldiers and destroy the
cause of our country?
Might Aid Enemy.
DO you ask me to have the
President reveal to you his infor-
nation. so this revelation might
aid those against US? Whose judg-
ment and information are you to
trust, Senators who know nothing.
or the Commander-in-Chi who
knows all? Be assured, Senators.
the President and his aids have
convincing and irresistible reasons.
Would the President want to take
on himself the severe burden, and
the serious consequences, IL he
were not impelled by necessityT'
The Illinois Senator warned the
Senate that, even IL the bill were
defeated. the President would cxer-
else his war powers and take the
wires anyway.
Senator Penrose commented that
1t seemed extraordinary" the Sen
ate could not have the reasons.
The minority might as well be
rubber stamps" said he.
II deplore that any Senator, when
asked by the Commander-in-Chie
should fall to 50 low an estate" re-
piled Senator Lewis.
I'm not greatly impressed with
the threadbare phrase Commander
SINS" came from Penrose. The Sem
ate has its responsibilities, too"
Emphatic denial was made by
Senator, Lewis that Postmaster
General Burleson. wished to Cen
sor the newspapers" as has been
urged by some Senator'S
IF thought that for a moment,
would cease my advocscy of the
measure. and IL II were proved,
would ask his superior to remove
him; ii would be the last thing that
Albert Sidney Burleson. born under
lhC bpluth sun anu bluC ShlCS VI
Texas. would contemplate" cried the
Senator.
A torrid interchange occurred be-
Lewis said:
"why is it that any time the Pres
ident sends a request to Congress
in this time of war. there arise here
those who oppose him? Have we come
to the point where the President can
do nothing We can approve?"
This infuriated Reed, who cried
| when Congress ceases its func-
tions, 1t has played the traitor! The
President can suggest, but we must
act upon our own judgment"
/ Senator Sherman, of Illinois, spoke
against the bill, and told of a recent
| experience in a railway station,
where. when he asked an informa-
ton clerk the leaving-time of a train,
the clerk told him, You ought to
know; it's posted up over there"
Il went back" said Senator Sher-
man, land said, I thank you for
your courtesy, but wish you to un-
derstand I think you are a blankety-
blank He said, I am a govern
ment officer. and such language IS
not permitted I replied, I will give
you more Of it; am a government
officer myself. and I will outblank
you And proceeded with my
blanks
During the day, Senator Reed put
in an amendment providing that the
rights and privileges of the press
should not be interfered with, except
that government business must have
preference. This was offered as a
substitute to amendments presented
Thursday by Senator Watson, of In
| diana