The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-17
WILSON NOT TO TAKE
OVER WIRES AT ONCE
Signs Control Bill, but Will
Await Emergency Before
Acting.
BURLESON TO BE CHIEF
Cables Owned by Foreign
Firms One Of Problems
to Be Solved.
BURLESON TO BE CHIEF
Special Despatch 10 The Sun.

NpcCiut DCsputCH 10 thE ob''
WAsHTNGroN. July 1.-THE President
to-day signed the wire control bill and
is empowered to take over the telegraph
and telephone systems Of the country at
any time during the war when he deems
that an emergency exists to warrant
Federal control.
Immediately after the signing Of the res
oiution the intimation came from some Of
the Presidents Cabinet advisers that
there is no immediate intention Of taking
over the systems. 1t was indicated that
there might be a delay of some weeks.
The resolution was passed through the
Senate and the House with the Idea
impressed on members that not only wac
the authority an urgent necessity but
that the emergency existed requiring
taking over the lines OF communication.
However, this impression was not ere
ated by the President or by any men,
Der OF the Cabinet. Their statements
we're only that the President should be
clothed Immediately with the power TO
take over the systems at any time. and
this fact was recalled to-day by Cab
met members.
1t is now practically certain that the
administration of the systems when they
are taken over will be placed in the hands
OF Postmaster-General Burleson. The
Secretary Of the Interior and the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury. who Is also admin
istrator OF the railroads. have been sug-
gested, but Developments to-day indi-
Gated that the President has had no
one in mind from the inception OK the
wire legislation except Mr.. Rurleson.
After to-day's Cabinet meeting had
adjourned the President remained clos
eted with the Postmaster-General for
the greater part OF an hour. Cndouot-
eddy this conference had to do with
Federal control of the wire systems
The Postma er-General asserted that
any announcement of the expected date
of taking over the systems would have
to come from the President himself.
The speed with which difficulties when
have arisen are surmoun ed Will deter
mine how soon Federal control Is IN
auEurated.
One Of the complications holding back
immediate taking over Of the systems' II
is understood on excellent authority Is
the fact that some cables having tern!-
nails in the United States are owned by
foreign firms. How such systems are 10
he dealt Win HAS Hph 60 bS>h "O'
out completely.
Another problem the Administration
has to face Is the extent Of control over
American owned cables to foreign coun-
tries, where some cable companies have
entered into agreements with foreign
Governments that the cables touching
their shores shall not be government
owned or controlled. Naturally this WI!
not deter the Government In taking these
systems over, as the Government Is not
responsible for these private agreements
but Il is desired to work out am!caple
agreements with these nations BEFORE
violating the agreements made In good
faith by the cable companies. The cables
falling into this class are understood to
be only those connecting North ana
South American points.
ANY objection to Federal control made
by these countries probably will be based
on the possibility OF rates being In
crea sed All cable dispatches TO or from
the United States are under censorship
at present, and no violation OF private
messages more than is now in effect
would result from control by the United
states Government II was pointed out
to-day, and only the rate question re-
mains Probably some form OF assur-
arce OF the continuance Of existing
rates or an agreement governing future
rates will be attempted before these com
panies are taken.