Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-07-02
SEIZURE OF WIRE
SYSTEMS NEED OF
US. ANY MINUTE
Baker Tells House Committee
1t Is Essential to Give
President Power
By Associated Press

Washington, July 2.-While three
cabinet officers were before the
commerce committee advocating the
Aswell resolution empowering the
President to take over telegraph,
telephone, cable and radio systems,
the House took Jurisdiction over the
measure from that committee and
vested it in the military committee.
There was no discussion and only
viva voce vote when Representa-
tive Gordon, of Ohio, moved that
jurisdiction be transferred because
the measure was urged as a mili-
tary necessity. Members of the
military committee said later they
were not opposed to the resolution
and would report it favorably.
Secretaries Baker and Daniels and
Postmaster General Burleson ap-
peared before the House Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Committee.
Baker Advises Committee
SSecretary Baker, taking the
stand first, said it did not happen at
the minute to be a military neces-
sity to take over telephone and tele-
graph liness, but it might be the
next minute
He declared it essential as a war
measure to give the President full
power to take over control of the
wires if necessary. Members of the
committee asked many questions
about the effect of Government op-
Grafton.
Mr.. Baker said he could not say
with certainty whether the Govern
ment could completely suppress inn
proper communication, but it cer-
tainly could suppress such commu-
nlcations better than under present
laws. AT the present time, he said
IoL4uoo 10 uoIsIAI9dns ou 81 9J9ql
OF domestic messages by telegraph
so far as he knew.
Opposes Time Limit
The Secretary declined to commit
himself on whether the Government
should assume permanent control,
but he opposed any time limit be
liked for the surrender to owners of
the lines.
The President should have the
power to take over the lines" he
said Most of the traffic is Gov
ernment business and any Interrupt
ton will injure the Government.
The telephone and the telegraph are
inseparable in service and both sys-
TENS should be taken over"
Replying to a question whether
taking over the trunk wires would
require similar action over indepen-
dent small companies, Mr.. Baker
said sue haction was mot necessar-
lily" involved.
Legislation in addition to the AS
well resolution would be necessary
as in the case of the railroads, he
said, to deal with contracts and
compensations.
Permanent eovernr,ant ounarsbi,,
and operation of telegraph and tele-
phone lines was advocated by Secre-
tary Daniels, and Postmaster Gener-
al Burleson said if the system were
as efficiently conducted by the gov
ernment as the postal service now is
they never would go back to private
ownership.
In the meantime the Commercs
Committee proceeded with it's hear
ing, Secretaries Baker and Daniels
and Postmaster General BurIeson
contending that it was essential as a
war measure that the President have
power to take over the communica-
tion systems.
Both Mr.. Baker and Mrs. Daniels
denied that the call for a strike of
western Union operators on July s
had any connection with their action
in endorsing the legislation, which
has been approved by the President.
AThe legislation was discussed be-
tween Senate leaders of both parties
to-day. Several predicted that if the
resolution is passed by the House 1t
also would be approved by the Sem
ate and with comparatively brief de-
bate. Although there will be some
opposition by those against extern
sion of Government ownership and
operation of utilities, the opinion was
advanced that endorsement of the
Legislation by the President as a war
necessity would be sufficient to cause
it's enactment.