The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-10
Resolution to Come Before Upper Branch Without
 Amendment
WESTERN UNION HEAD UNDER EXAMINATION
President Carlton Says Government Should Not Take Over Telegraph Companies to Unionize Them.
 Statement Is Issued

Washington, July 9.-After three hours examination of Newcomb Carl ton, president of the Western Union Tel egraph company, the Senate interstate commerce committee today voted, to g. to report without amendment or further hearings the House resolution authoriz- ing government control during the war of telegraph, telephone, cable and radio systems.
 Chairman Smith plans to report the res- olution to the Senate tomorrow, but is undetermined whether to urge immediate consideration and thus replace the yll.- Oao,Uu emergency agricultural appropria- tion bill, with it's wartime prohibition rider. While expecting a bitter contest Senate leaders believe a vote can be reached soon, and that further hearings will not be ordered, in view of the presi- dents ins.stence for early action
 MUSTERED COMMITTEEMEN
 After the Senate yesterday rejected the committee report on point of order that a majority of the committee members and not Of those present. must vote to report legislation, Chairman Smith to- day mustered all members of the commit tee in Washington. 10 senators finally attending the session. President Carlton was in town and he was examined at length behind closed doors. It was ex- plained later, in answer to criticism Of senators that senators and newspaper correspondents were excluded through a misunderstood
 NO NECESSITY
 MT Carlton told the committee he did not think there was necessity for the government taking over telegraph wires, bur that he would not oppose it unless the design was to unionize the employees
 After Air Carlton was heard Senators Pcmerene, Gore and Kellogg insisted upon further hearings. but were voted down Those voting to report the resolution without further hearings were Chairma n Smith, Myers. Salisbury, Thomas, Lew is, Undern ooG and Poindexter
 Sharp criticism of the majority's course was planned by those advocating further hearings. but they said they did not ex- pect to be able to reopen the hearings.
 CARLTON'S STATEMENT
 To an Associated Press representative after the hearing, Mr. Carlton said:
 q did not oppose the legislation, but gave the opinion that it is unnecessa ry. stated that if there is military neces- sity for the resolution l could certainly not oppose it.
 l one of the main purposes of the resoiu- ton is to unionize the company's en- ployes, I most vehemently opposed it. l insisted that if the property is taken over it should be made certain that it will be returned with it's facilities. including per- sonneI organization. in as good condition as when taken. This would not be pos- sible with unionization of it's employees while under government control
 OWNERSHIP NOT DISCUSSED
 '.The question of permanent govern ment ownership was not discussed
 President Carlton was questioned by the committee regarding the practice of sending night telegrams by mail, and said it had been in vogue for 50 years vithcrS being criticised.
 Tn the examination of President Carl ton. Senator Kellogg said if the govern mer,t, under the resolution, takes over all telegraph and telephone wires it in- wolves direction of all private leased wires. including those of the Associated Press, brokers and business organiza- tions. Other senators said the President could select wires to be excluded from government control