The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-07-06
BILL FOR SEIZURE
Of WIRE SYSTEMS
PASSES THE HOUSE
Only 4 Negative Votes
Are Registered-2Zl
Alternatives.
CONGRESS RECESS
No Attempt Will Be
Made to Garry Matter
Through Senate Until
the Members Return.
CONGRESS RECESS

Washington, July 5.-The house to-
day by vote OF 32i TO passed the
resolution authorizing the president
10 take possession of and operate the
telegraph and telephone lines of the
country.
Those who voted against the reso-
luton were Representatives Fordney
and Mclaughlin. OF Michigan; steri-
ing of Illinois. and Woods. OF Iowa
johnson. of Washington, voted in the
negative when his name was called.
but changed To present"
The passage OF the resolution by
the house ends the matter until after
the recess or congress, which Is 10
begin tomorrow night. No attempt
will be made to pass the resolution
through the senate until after me
members have returned from their
homes at the end OF the thirty day
period In the meantime, should the
threatened strike OF the men employ
ed by the Western Untoh company be
carried out. the president would ne
without authority 10 interfere.
Throughout the days discussion OF
the resolution, there was great d.
versity OF opinion as to what the at
titude of the White House was with
respect to the urgency OF the meas
ure. Representative Pou. OF North
Carolina. chairman of the rules com
mistee, talked over the telephone with
Secretary Tumulty and from him OBJ
tanned the statement that the presi-
dent desired the resolution to pass be
fore congress took recess THIS
statement +was made use Of TO force
the house 10 act on the measure ana
remain In session until long after the
,-ainner hour in order TO pass 1t.
But Just as the senate was adjourn
ing for The day, Senator Martin the
majority leader, received a note from
the president saying that II i, were
not practicable to pass the resolution
i'm the senate before the time set for
the recess, he would not insist upon
IL. This message had the effect OF
causing Senator Martin to send word
to house leaders to put through con-
current resolution for recess.
Make Plans to Leave.
When the vote In the house was an
nounced Majority Leader kitchin toio
the members OF the presidents letter
TO Senator Martin, and said they could
make their plans to leave Washing
ton tomorrow. Some of those who
had engaged in the all-day battle over
the resolution. blandly inquired why
they had been pressed 10 pass the
resolution. MIR. kitcnn replied that
he did not know,
Two amendments placing further
limitations on the proposed grant OF
authority to the president were adopt
ed by the house. One OF these, by Mr'
Esch, of Wisconsin, provided that the
compensation to be paid to the wire
companies for their properties should
Loaf that III nc
Agreement as to the amount OF COM
pensation could be reached, the com
panies should be paid rs per cent oil
tho amount and be permitted to sue
in the court OF claims for the re-
mainder. A similar provision was car
ried In the railroad control bill.
An amendment by Mr.. Montague
Of Virginia. alsp adopted, provtded
that nothing in the resolution shall
be construed to impair the rights OF
the several states in the matter oil
taxation and regulatory measures
against the companies
During the debate. Mr.. Fordney. OF
Michigan. declared there is no neces-
sity for taking over the control OF the
wire systems, and charged that tks
properties twill be used for the great
est political advantage of the Dem
ocratic party. just as the railroads
are"
There was considerable batting" OF
Mr. Pou to make him tell the house
exactly what Secretary Tumulty had
told him, Mr.. Madden. OF Illinois; Mr.
Moore. OF Pennsylvania: Mr.. Gillette
Of Massachusetts,, and others demand
inx to hear the whole conversation
Mr.. Pou vouchsafed no reply beyond
the statement that the president wal
desirous OF having the resolution put
through.
Mr.. Moore asked why the president
had not sent message to congress or
the subject. and Mr.. Gillett said hi
could not see why 1t had became
necessary to pass such measure
q within three days notice when there
had been no. previous occasion for It
The president should send mes
sage t. congress on 1t. Mr.. Nader
insisted. II undertake to say there II
no emergency that justifies such haste
\ ~ congress on such an important
4 plea for passage 81. the resolu'
tion was made by Mr.. Aswell. o.
louisiana. who introduced the origtna
1 resolution for which the one passet
~ the house was substituted. He said
mo United States IL the only one o.
th0 countries at war which hal
neglected to protect its means Of com
1nunicatiQn Id the manner proposed
M thA resolution.