The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1918-11-29
WILSON'S ACTION
IS UNDER FIRE
Control OF Cables Step
Toward Government
Ownership.

Washington, Nov. 21.-President
wilson's action in taking over con-
troll and operation of marine cable
systems and express agencies was
vigorously criticized today in the Sen
ate By Republican senators, who said
II was part of plan to establish per-
manent government ownership.
The speakers we're Senators Wat
son, OF Indiana: kellogg, of Minneso-
"a, and Sherman, of Illinois, and in
the course of the debate the Presi-
dent was critized for his decision to
20 to Europe, and George Creel.
Chairman of the committee on Public
Information, who, it has been report
ed, is TO accompany the President,
also was attacked.
Senator Watson denounced the
Presidents action in taking over
cable lines as a breach of faith. and
charged that their control was in
spired by desire for government
censorship of dispatches during the
peace conference, so that the repre-
sentatives of the European nations at
the peace table may not know what is
being said in the American Congress
about the conference.
In the midst of the debate, Senator
Lewis of Illinois, the Democrat whip,
sousht TO reply to the Republican
senators, but did not get recognition.
He did, however, offer a resolution
which would put congress on record
rs favoring government ownership Of
railroads and telegraph and telephone
lines
Charges Breach OF Faith.
In declaring his belief that the
Presidents action was a breach of
faith, Senator Watson said congress
voted this extraordinary power for
var purposes only.
WHY is that step taken" asked
the senator. I'm my belief it is taken
nimply because of the fact that the
President is loath to give up any of
the power that we have clothed him
with. and those subordinates about
him including those of the cabinet
do not intend to relinquish that power
unless compelled to do so by legis-
lative action.
I'VE are left to the wide field of
conjecture as to why the President
oyfi tor ar In
take over the cables. Certainly no
one will claim that he is taking them
over as a necessity of war. | take it
for granted that when the President
leaves these shores to all intents and
Purposes the cable lines will be cut.
take 1t for granted that he does
not intend that any man at the peace
table shall know what is being said
in the House of Representatives and
on the floor of this body. And | take
il for granted that we are not to know
On this side what they are doing.
Complete Censorship.
with George Creel at that end
controlling all the messages and in
formation and with Albert Burleson
al this end controlling all the sources
OF information its very verbiage in
fact, the country may well be warn
cd that IL may take at least with a
grain of salt whatever is published as
tn what happens on the other side.
Senator Sherman said there might
be some necessity for the President
going abroad but that he could not
sce il and added that no provision is
saxrs in the constitution for the alb
nencc of the President from the ter
ritoriaI limits of the United States,
rhe White House, he said, will be
moved 10 Paris. and added:
I've are left to the tender mercies
al = censored cable; passports de-
UeA, cables controlled and Creel sits
as imperial dictator at the source of
action.
sSennIoT Kellogg said n >re was no
WY necessity for taking over cable
hHes and express agencies as the
arsnfstice has been signed and added
tsat in his opinion the action lis part
ai plan 10 hasten government own
.rxhip OF telegraph, telephone and ca
bias lines on the country"
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