New-York tribune., 1918-11-22


Senators Believe
Government Seeks
To Ouun Wire Lines
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (By The AS
sociated Press) The action of Presi-
dent Wilson in taking marine cable
lines under government control was
criticised in the Senate to-day by SEN
ator Kellogg, of Minnesota, Republican,
who declared it was part of plan to
establish permanent government own
ership of telegraph, telephone and
cable wires.
Immediately after Senator hellogg's
attack, Senator Lewis, of Illinois,
Democratic whip, introduced resolu-
ton proposing permanent government
ownership of telegraphs, telephones,
ships, railroads and other public utili-
ties.
at demonstrates beyond all question
that there never was war necessity"
Senator Kellogg said of the taking over
of the cables, "and, in my opinion, it is
part OF plan to fasten on this coun-
try government ownership of telegraph,
telephone and cable lines
Senator Cummins, Of Iowa. asked
whether the plan Of the Pres ident to
visit Europe might not present an emcr-
gency that had something to do with
the assumption of the cable lines.
Sees No Excuse for Action
. 81 cannot see," Senator Kellogg re-
piled, chow the Presidents visit can
in any way have made an excuse for
taking over the cable lines, and upon
that do not desire to speculate"
The Minnesota Senator recalled that
when the wire control resolution was
before the Senate, Senator'S Underwood,
of Alabama, and Lewis, of Illinois,
who he described IS Administration
spokesmen, assured the Senate that
there then was no present war cmer-
gency.
"Now what happens?" he asked.
",lmmedlately after passage Of the reso-
lutions, the Pres dent took over the
telegraphs and telephones and put
Postmaster General Burleson in
charge.
Now after the war is over we are
met with the astounding proposition
that 1t is necessary to take over the
cable lines as measure of national
6efence'
Protests from President Mackay, of
the Commercial Cable Company,
against the cable order was presented
by Senator Kellogg, who said that gov
ernment operation Of telegraphs and
telephones had caused increased costs
to the public.
Suppression Suggested
Senator Watson, of Indiana, Repub-
lican, suggested that the cables were
taken to suppress news Of what is dis
cussed at the peace conference.
Senator Watson denounced the Presi-
dents action as breach of faith, and
declared it evidence of a programme
by certain Cabinet members and others
IN the Administration, with Socialistic
tendencies" to effect state Socialism.
lie said Secretaries Burleson, Daniels
and Baker have advocated permanent
operation of railroads by the govern
ment.
Now, after peace has come upon
u.s." said Senator Watson, 1--WE have the
President violating the spirit, if not
the letter, Of the law by taking over
the cables. do not believe in it's a.
legged unconstitutional propositions. 1t
Is new ana novel and in some respects
startling.
ut Is not necessary. 1t is singular
that just about the time the President
Is gong abroad he takes over the
cables, when every war necessity has
ceased, If, indeed it ever existed.
II take it for granted that the Presi-
dent took over the cables at this time
so those who sit at the peace table
will not know what is being said in
Congress, and so the people of this
country will not know what is going
on at the peace table. / take it for
granted that when the President leaves
'hese shores the cables to all intents
and purposes will be cut.
why is George Creel going alonp ?
he is going along to send back what
news the President wants him to send
back. With Crecl at one end Of the
cable and Albert Burleson at the other
1.-the Senate. the country's treaty max
ing body. Will be deprived of it's rieNt Is. y
Extenslon of government control tc
cables and express companies, Senate,
N"esoH saiu, ilpnt De regarded as no
tice that the President and his sub
ordinates do not intend to relinouisl
any of the authority granted them dur
ing the war unless compelled by legls
lativc action"
There is no reason" (for cable ane
: express controD, he added, Except foI
, the sinister one of the policy of open
ing the door to state socialism"
While the War Department reported
cance .lation of contracts and demobili
zation of the army, Senator Watson
said, cantonments IN the South were ts
be continued.
Senator Sherman, of Illinois (Repub
, lican), said the Vice Pres ident acts as
President only in case of death. dis.
, ability or resignation Of the chief ex
ocutivo. and added:
White House to Move
"No provision is made for the presi
dents abscncc from the territorial
limits of the United States. When thi.
proposed visit is made soon after De
. ccmbcr 9 the White House will b,
transferred officially to Paris. France
There will be left the Supreme
Court, when it convencs, and the Sen
, ute md the House will remain. but tn.
Executive will be transferred to Eu
rope, where it will remain "a consider
able time"
"All the radicals that are not in TAI
arc in Office under this Adrrir;stro+;o,,