The Washington herald., 1918-07-07
WILSON SUCCEEDS IN
PRESSING WIRE BILL
Hearings Before Senate
Committee Assured
This Week.
WHITE HOUSE VISITORS
TOLD ACTION IS VITAL
Progressive Senators Support Pres
ident; Democratic Leaders Want
Recess; Confusion General.

President Wilson won out last
night in his fight to have Con-
gress remain in session until ii
passes the bill authorizing him to
take over the nations telegraph
and telephone systems
In face of the fact that the
Senate, earlier in the evening, had
by a close vote rejected his 'ap-
peal, and had decided to recess
until August IL. the House re-
fused to recess and, by its atti-
tude, sustained the wishes of the
Chief Executive.
SENATE FAVORS RECESS.
The Senate vote was ~ to 70
in favor of a recess. Within an
hour Claude Ktchin, Democratic
leader in the House, withdrew
his resolution for a recess, and
the House adjourned until Mon
day, when it viii resume its regu-
lar order of business.
The situation in Congress yes
terday was remarkable. Admins
tration Democrats in the Senate
were among those most insistent
to take a recess, even though the
President desired the legislation
passed, while a group of Progress
sive Republican Senators fought
against Congress stopping work.
VIII Hold Hearings.
The action last night means that
Congress will remain in session while
the Interstate Commerce Committee
of the Senate holds hearings upon
the bill. Many interests. including
the telegraphers, desire to be heard
It's said the Senate will try to take
o weekend vacations.
Ths Congressional muddle came at
the end Of q nine-hour day. Friday
night the President sent a letter to
Senator Martin. saying he desired the
legislation passed II practicable. Sem
ator Martin. who Is the Democratic
leader. said after he received the let
ter that he thought 1t impracticable
to deal with the bill now.
But early yesterday afternoon, the
President sent two letters to Senator
Martin and Senator Pomerene, the
acting chairman Of the Interstate
Commerce Committee, pressing for
action on the bin
Three Saw the President.
Senator Martin. the Democratic
leaders; Senator Simmons, chairman
Of the Finance Committee. and Repre-
sentative Kitchin, Democratic leader
of the House. went to the White
House at $50 D. m, returning an
hour later Immediately the Senate
Interstate Commerce COMMITTEES went
into session TO determine just how
long Il would take to place the bill
upon the Senate floor.
In the midst of the committees de-
uberations Senatar Borah. who was
strongly opposed to a recess. moved
for an adjournment until Monady.
This attempt to block the recess was
defeated by q vote Of a to 10. and the
members Of the Interstate Commerce
Committee hurried upstairs to lend
their votes against 1t. Senators Cum
minis, France, johnson Of California,
Jones of Washington. Norris. Nugent.
Smoot and Warren, all Republicans
except Nugent, voted with Senator
Borah.
The Senate Immediately went into
executive session, but after a short
time took q recess for few hours in
order to allow the committee to meet
again. Before the Senate returned
the committee had decided to begin
hearings on Tuesday on the telegraph
and telephone bill.
Vote for Adjournment.
Senator Martin presented the re-
cess resolution as privilege matter
senator Borah rose at once to at
tack this using parliamentary tao
ties. The Senate was in complete
disorder. as II had been since
o'clock. Senators were standing all
over the aisles. and talking loudly,
and paying no attention whatever 10
business
Finally comparative order was re-
stored and the question was put.
The Senate vote upon adjourn
ment was as follows:
For adjournment Democrats
Beckham. Fletcher. Gerry, Gore.
Guion. Kendrick. King. Lewis. Nc
Kellar. Martin. Overman. Phelan.
Pomerene. Ransde1l. Reed. Sauls-
bury. shafroth. Simmons. Smith of
Arizona. Smith of Maryland. Under
wood-2z. Republicans-Cummins.
Dillingham;. Lenroot. Penrose. Poin-
I, dexter Total. "a.
Against adjournment = Democrats
Ashurst. Bankhead. Jones of New
Mexico. Myers. Nugent. Pittman.
sheppard. Shields, Smith Of Georgia,
coSuNUED ON PAGE NINE