The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-23
President Signed Order to That
Effect Today.
David J. Lewis 70 Be in Direct
Charge of Operation.
ARE NEEDED FOR CENSORSHIP
Duplicate Phone Systems Will
Be Consolidated.
Control of Gables Will Be OF
Exceptional Value.

Washington, July 23.-Oficial an
nouncement was made this afternoon
that the government will assume con-
troll of the telegraph and telephone
systems within the jurisdiction of the
United States, July 81. President
Wilson today signed an executive or
der placing the power of administra-
ton of the lines in the hands of the
postmaster general.
Washington, July 2S.-The nations
communication lines will go under
government control July 81.
President Wilson today signed an
executive order providing for federal
wire operation under the Aswell res
olution.
Postmaster General Burleson will
supervise the work, with David
Lewis as director.
In the absence of official announce
ment of the seizrre-expected about
2:30 after Postmaster General Burle
son prepares a statement of his in
tended course of action-it is reliably
reported that the control will include
telegraph, telephone and cables. The
SySlSIIlS VI lhC county e-iA c1Ns
are under government supervision.
Needed for Censorship.
The governments purpose in seiz-
ing the lines of communication are
manifold. Cabinet officers pointed
out that such action was essential to
protect government secrets and pre-
vent information valuable to the en-
emy being disseminated broadcast.
1t was also considered vital for the
need of maintaining uninterrupted
communication channels and elini-
mating the danger of strikes.
Consolidate Duplicate Phone Systems.
In addition, however, the govern
ment needs vast amounts of mater
ials for war work, now tied up because
of waste in unnecessary competition
between telephone and telegraph COM
panies at many places. Duplicating
telephone systems in nearly 1000
cities will be combined under govern
ment control, telephone wires will be
utilized in extending telegra phi. facili-
ties, more equitably distribute the la
bors of telegraphers, vastly reduce the
operating expense by completely
changing the present bookkeeping
methods-and as result bring to the
public increased service at cheaper
rates.
Just as the railroad administration
has eliminated much of the expense
agencies-offices. advertising, etc.-so
will the wire administration similar
expenses.
Gables Especially Needed.
Seizure of the cables it has been
stated, is vital because of two prin-
cipal reasons-it will serve further to
insure against information of value to
the enemy getting out of the country.
ana, there is at least one cable that
the war department has long been
anxious to have it's hands on for
carrying on vital work, it is said.
While seizure of the wire systems
was brought to a head at a time when
union telegraphers were threatening
to strike because the Western Union
refused to accede to their demands
and President Wilson's request to
abide by ruling of the war labor
board acknowledging the right to
join the union), the government long
mas had the step in contemplation.
Never Can Go Back.
At least three of the present mem
bers of President Wilson's cabinet ia
vor government ownership or perma-
nent operation of the communication
system. AS result it is confidentially
predicted by authorities here that once
the government has put into effect
its plans of reorganization of the great
wire lines, it will be a physical impos-
sibility to unscramble them and re-
turn them to private operation an6
ownership again
The executive order of the president
today brings und@r government con.
troll forsthe period of the war millions
of miles of wire, thousands of en-
ployes and coupled with the seizure OF
railroads and the monopoly in posta
business, places the government il
virtual control of every industry ir
, the land.
/ The strike of te1egraphers is nov
definitely off.
With the presidents signature OF
/ the wire seizure order, walkouts will
stop and einstatements of those mer
I locked out in recent weeks will takt
/ place rapidly after government con
! troll begins.
| The union will endeayor to have al
questions of wages and working con
! ditions left in the hands of the wal
labor board Some questions are nov
! pending.
i DECIDE RASERAII FATE