The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-02
Urges CONGRESS- To Act at Once
on Resolution.
'May Become Military Neces-
sity at Any Moment"
IS OPPOSITION IN THE HOUSE
Some Members Will Strongly
Oppose the Measure.
Many Insist That Control Be
Limited to War Period.


permant government control of all
communication systems. Secretary of
War Baker today urged the house
commerce committee to report quick
ly upon the AsweIl resolution empow-
ering the president to take over tefe-
graph. telephone, radio and cable sys-
TENS.
at is not a military necessity this
minute said Baker. but may become
so the next minute"
Baker Opposes Time Limit.
He urged the committee not to put
any time limit into the resolution, but
to leavs for determination in later leg
islation defining the terms of con-
tracts, the amount of payments and
fother features of government arrange
ment with companies taken over.
Hopes Congress VIII Do Better.
eff I had my way 1 would not put
! any limit of time either in this resolu-
| tion or in subsequent legislation to the
\ length of government control" said
1 Baker. Every time congress does
something 1 don't approve of. I hope
it will do better the next time. I did
not approve of the time limit in the
railroad control bill. Hence. L hope
no limit will be fixed in this measure"
Would Settle Details Later.
! Baker emphasized the Importance
| of giving the president without delay
all the power he neecs, pointing out
| that later legislation to which all due
| deliberation may be given can take
, care of the rights of individuals and
! corporations.
Committee members indicated this
I will be their argument to the house
! in urging speedy passage of the reso-
! lution-that it is simply an empower
4 ing measure and that congress will
| later be able to exercise the fullest
supervision over the details of govern
ment control.
! Representative, Lunn New York,
began a fight to get his resolution
| taking over the telegraph and tele-
phone lines before the house ahead of
Aswell resolution which is backed by
i President Wilson
Lunn Would Amend His Resolution.
The Lunn resolution empowers the
! secretary of war instead of the presi-
dent to take over the lines. Lunn
plans to change this by committee
! amendment. Lunn introduced his res
olution several weeks before Aswell
and claimed priority.
The house by unanimous consent
re-referred the AswelI resolution to
the committee of military affairs TAX
| ing it from the interstate commerce
committee. This action followed a
meeting of the military committee at
his resolution. which is similar to the
Aswcll resolution, be rushed before
the house at once No definite action
( was aiken on the Lunn resolution.
Will Substitute Lunn's Resolution.
! Members of the military committee
/ Immediately set in motion plan to
substitute the Iunn resolution for the
Aswell resolution and to begin hear
ing where the interstate commerce
! committee quit At the same time
members of the commerce committee
were preparing to open a fight to get
, the house to change its decision
Favors Permanent Ownership
Replying to a direct question as to
! permanent government ownership
Baker declared he saw no nece ssity Of
ever turning back the companies il
the government could operate them to
better public advantage than priyate
] corporations.
Baker particularly emphasized two
reasons why the government should
take the wires.
He said it was war necessity and
that continuity of operation must be
insured.
Brief Tie-up Would Hinder War.
Even a brief interruption of serv-
ice would hamper shipment of troops
and supplies to France and would be
a most serious interference with the
war operations" Baker said, at the
o1iilc tilile sldllNB IndI ne knew OF no
argument for taking over the com.
panies other than that it was a war
measure
Objects to Hearing Other Side.
Baker also said he saw no reason
for hearing owners of telegraph and
telephone lines "at this time"
No interest of the owner ought to
be allowed to operate against the pub.
lie interest" he said
Couldn't Replace Strikers.
The war department has on hand
no adequate force to replace teieg-
raphers if they go on a strike, Baker
said.
, Would Stop Leakage.
, Referring to leakage in information.
. al messages, Baker said, present meth.
ods of fighting this are very piece.
COntiDued IN Page Two.J