The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-07-01
NEARING STRIKE
or TELECRAphERS
HASTENS ACTION
President Asks Congress 10
Speed Necessary Bills.
ACTION IS DUE THIS WEEK
Present Legislation Doesn't
Authorize Seizure,

WASHINGTON, july Governs
ment control and operation OF the ma
tion's telegraph and telephone systems
was recommended to congress today by
President Wilson.
In the face OF an impending strike
Of union operators employed by the
Western Union company, an effort will
be made TO pu through before the
recess OF congress this week pending
legislation empowering the president TO
take over the systems
Members OF congress said today that
the attorney general had advised the
president that he without authority
under existing law 10 take over the
lines, and that if necessity for action
arose. with congress in recess, he would
be without power to act
Senator Shepard of Texas TODAY in.
troduced a resolution identical with that
pending in the house II was referred
to the military committee
WaI Leaders for II.
The presidents views were conveyed
IN brief note to Chairman sims of
the house interstate and foreign COM
merce committee, indorsing a letter
| written by Postmaster General Buyle-
son, urging legislation at this moment
when the paralysis Of q. large part of
the system ef electrical communication
IS threatened" Representative Sims had
written TO the president, Secretaries
Baker and Daniels and Mr.. PurIeson.
asking their opinion Of a pending bill
introduced by Representative Asweil Of
Louisiana, empowering the president to-
take over telephone, telegraph and radio
systems. All three gave their approval
Measure up in House
Immediately upon receipt Of the presi-
dents letter the house committee ar
ranged 10 report the resolution 10 the
house wi'h a view to its passage before
the recess.
II is understood that the president has
not concluded definitely to take over
! the telegraphs and telephones az soon
as the power is given. He probably
will await the result of the strike OF
Western Union operators called for July
8 by the Commercial Telcgraphers' union
because the Western Union refused TO
abide by rulings Of the war labor board
and continued to discharge union op-
| orators.
10000 to Walk Out.
Union officials claim fourth %
the 1000 operators of the Western
Union will walk out The company in
sists that the strike call will have no
substantial effect upon its business.
The resolution, which was introduced
by Representative ASwell Of Louisiana,
| reads:
THAT the president. II, in his dis
cretion, Il is deemed desirable IN or
| der 20 insure their continuous opera
| ton or to guard the secrecy OF mil
itary and governmental commUnica-
tionS, or to prevent communication
by spies and other public enemies
thereon, or for other military or
public reasons, shall have power TO
take possession and control q any
telegraph, telephone. marine cable or
radio systems, and operate the same
| subject to those conditions OF law,
so far as applicable, which are in
force as 10 steam railroads while
under federal control
Action on the resolution was deferred
until tomorrow by the house commits
tee and Chairman Sims invited Scores
taries Baker and Daniels and POST
master Burleson to appear then anE
| further explain their views.