New-York tribune., 1918-07-01
fspeeni Dispatch to The Tribune,

Especial Dispatch to The TYibune)
WASHINGTON, June 30.-Announce-
ment of the call for a strike of West
ern Union telegraph operators to start
July 8, brought to head here tonight,
it was learned on high authority, plans
for the government to take over the
telegraph and telephone lines of the
country, which have been under con-
sideration for some weeks.
The Postofice Department, it is
known, has been pressing the Presi-
dent for decision in favor of this,
and it was positively stated tonight
that q favorable decision had been
obtained
While it cannot be stated positively
that officials Of the Administration
knew in advance of the setting of July
as the date for the Western Union
strike, j. was positively known that
the strike was coming, and plans have
been in preparation to meet the sit
uation by government ownership.
Officials Of the Postofice Department
believe that the President has the Same
authority for the step which he had in
taking over the railroads.
Additional Legislation Planned
However. additional legislation is in
reserve. The Sheppard bill, giving au
thorjty to the Federal government to
take control of the wire systems of
the nation. has been tavorably reported
by subcommittee TO the full Com
rniftao nm Military Affairs in iho Sem
ate. This bill directs government con-
troll Of the wire lines as military
necessity just as the railroads were
taken over by the President.
1t is understood that the plan pro-
vides that the stockholders of the tele-
graph and telephone companies shall
be compensated on the same basis upon
which the stockholders of the railroads
are assured a fair return for their in
vestments in railroad securities.
A number of reasons Is advanced
why the Federal government will be
forced to take this step, high official
of the nistration pointed out to-
night. They are:
First-It desires absolute control
over means of communication in this
country during the war.
Second-The attitude of the Western
Union Telegraph Company officials
toward tnS government proposal 10 ar
bitrate the threatened trouble with the
operators is deeply resented, and it is
felt that the government must act to
prevent tie-up on the telegraph lines.
Third-The discovery of the use Of
messenger system of sending night
kilograms by the Western Union Com
pany.
Fourth-The demand of the tele-
phone companies in many American
ton in the use of telephones.
Fifth-To install The automatic tel
ephone system in the cities where
there is now great congestion.
Assert Legislation Is Needed
Many government officials feel that
Congress must pass more legislation
before the President can take over the
telegraph and telephone lines Con-
gress. it is stated, will be asked this
authority as soon as the completed
plan for government control is worked
out. Officials are working out these
be laid before Congress Immediately
after the summer recess.
The Sheppard bill, which has been
favorably acted upon by a subcom-
mittee Of the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs, it is felt, will meet
the situation. The Federal officials, to
press this measure, are arnling them
selves with mass of data which has
been acquired by experts in the Bureau
of Standards.
These data, so far as related to
Washington. were of such a character
] that the Public Utilities Commission of
1.-THE District of Columbia was forced to
postpone its decision to give
&he Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone
T. Gompany authority to increase it's
,tes. Chairman Brownlow, when he
T He'd halt on the hearings, declared
lat there may be wide conflict of
s. stinony as to the necessity of
thorizing the increased rates as a
suit of the inquiry made by the
IL reau of Standards expert.
81 Soon after President Wilson was
augurated for his first term Repre-.
A1entative David j. Lewis, of Maryland
s8ho had just finished the job Of get
ling legislation through Congress fol
Ehe establishment of parcel post sys.
item. began work on movement 70,
~ p