Evening journal., 1918-07-08
SENATE Still bALKS
ON Wire CONTROL
Smith Resolution Giving
Wilson Charge Over Lines
Goes Over
MUCH OPPOSITION
TO THE MEASURE
BY The United Press.


WASHINGTON. July s.-Demands for
immediate action by the Senate on the
resolution empowering the, President
TO take over the telegraph and tele-
phone lines were voiced today when
the Senate met.
Senator Smith. of Georgia, intro
duced a resolution dlschargng the In
terstate Commerce Committee from
consideration OF the resolution. This
would bring the resolution Immediate
Is before the Senate. Smiths resolution
goes over under the rules until to-
morrow.
senator Smith, OF South Carolina,
chairman Of the Interstate Commerce
Committee may forestall Smith. OF
Georgia. by having his committee re-
port the resolution today without
recommendation Smith told members
he sees no reason for holding hearings,
and fayors an immediate report.
"As a war measure ! favor speedy ac-
tlon TO put the means Of communica-
tion under government control. We
have the mails under such control. We
should also have the much swifter,
more secret methods OF wire communl-
cation under direct supervision. only
IN that way can we prevent German
spies and propagandists from using
them. All details as to wages and rates
can be settled later In a general bin"
Smith found some support and much
opposition to his plan for an immediate
report Many committee members will
demand exhaustive hearings.
Strikes In the southeast today did not
alarm officials here Both at the labor
department and White House confident
belief was expressed that President 5.
j. Konenkamp, Of the telegraphers'
union. would be able to keep his men
In line until the government acted.
The situation was belngs watched
closely, however, and II a dangerous
condition arises the President will seize
the lines.
Il don't believe there is any necessity
for a long series Of hearings" said
Smith, OF Georgia.
Members OF the Interstate Commerce
Committee have stated that they be-
lieved a month might be necessary for
its consideration. In view OF the hear
ings that have been held by the House
committee, l cannot see why the mat
fer should not be referred TO the Sem
ate In very short time
Senators Brandegee. Connecticut, and
Penrose, Pa, objected inasmuch as the
matter was already before the Inter-
state Commerce Committee where 1t
had been referred from the military
affairs committee.
Does the senator think th9t such
question should be considered by the
senate without any evidence gathered
rmmittee2"5 asked Senator Bran
degee.
dor Smith replied ordinarily he
would not favor such a course but that
he had introduced his resolution so
that if the committee seems to delay
reporting his resolution, he could call
IL up and force the discharge OF the
committee.
"The senator has evidently given the
study profound thought since he is
readl 20 vote on t." observed Penrose.
Il congratulate the senator on the
soundness OF his conclusion" replied
Smith. Il have given it great study
well, then" said Penrose, do you
want to put a telephone exchange in
every postofice and do you include IN
your plan for government ownership al
the thousands OF independent short
lines. many Of them on the verge OF
bankruptcy"
Your views seem rather nebulous
after ALL" said Penrose. i've received
many letters from persons interested In
these semi-bankrupt companies urging
passage Of this resolution which might
place them under government control.
] lust wondered how the senator stood
o nthat question"
Senator Nelson inquired whether this
"alleged threatened strike or military
necessity was the reason for the en-
powering resolution.
Military necessity" replied Smith.
I'm glad to hear that" said Nelson.
"fOr we have had evidence OF tele-
grams that this strike Is a manufac-
tured thing done by influences, out
side the circle Of the regular employees
OF the telegraph companies"
Senator POmerene Of the Senate In
terstate Commerce Committee today as
sured President Wilson that the Sem
ate vote Of q TO PC in favor Of a sum
mer adjournment Saturday night was
in no sense a slap at the administration.
Pomerene It'd the President the Sen
ate wished TO abide by his wishes In
staying in Washington until the tele-
graph resolution is disposed OF, but
that some members had mislead the
body as TO the Presidents attitude.
Scores OF kilograms from employees
Of the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany, stating that they were not In
sympathy with the strike movement
were read into the Congressional rec
ord today by members Of both House
and Senate.