The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-18
U. S. SOON TO TAKE
OVER CABLE LINES
Burleson About Ready for
Government Operation Of
Systems in America.
NOT DUE TO EMERGENCY
Return Of Properties Follows
Peace Observation-Disclosures
Huge Combine Seen.
Special Despatch 10 The suS.

WARRINGTON. Nov. II. - Government
CONTROL and operation of all cable lines
touching the United States are 10 De
assumed By Postmaster-G General Burle-
son in the near future.
Plans for taking over these lines have
been under way by the wire controi
committee of the Post Office Department
fo- several weeks, but no formal action
has yet been taken. No Presidential
proclamation has been issued. The re-
port that the lines already have passed
under control is premature and erro-
neous.
The Aswell joint resolution passed
last summer gave the President au-
tho.ity, during the continuance OF the
present war" whenever he deemed II
necessary for the national security, TO
take possession not only of the tele-
graph and telephone lines but also cable
lines. This resolution stipulated that
Government control was TO cease upon
proclamation by the President OF the
raiifNcation OF the peace treaty.
1t was explained at the time the Gov
eminent assumed control of the tele-
graph and telephone lines that the only
reason the Presidents proclamation. al
that time did not include the cable lines
was the necessity forzslearing up any
diplomatic obstacles that might be in
the way.
UP to state Department..
While some of the lines are American
owned. others are property OF foreign
examinations. Public statements with
respect to the cable lines have repeat
ediy been refused on the ground that II
was a matter that had TO 60 through
the State Department and that nothing
could be said until the State Department
made an announcement.
II was stated by a high official of the
Post Office Department tonight tha'
events were rapidly shaping towarc
Government control and operation o.
the cable lines. but that formal actor
had not yet been taken. He intimatec
It was n matter of but few days Il
was further stated that the move is b,
no means a new one. IL has been TN
idea OF the postal officials TO consolidate
and coordinate all lines of communica
tion, Including the cable lines. from thu
very arst but that action on the cables
was DELAYED because of complexities o
international control
is explained tonight that In takinI
control OF these cables the Post Ofhc
Department is merely carrying out tn
original plans laid before Congress AM
was IN no sense new move and no
due TO any emergency. IL was EN-
phatically stated that questions Of cen
sorship were not considered. Censorship
on the press has been removed. but 4
etill In effect on commercial messages
and the Post Office Department ha
censorship control that is regarded a
sufficient.
End of Control Long Way or.
Administration officials have no ide
that Government control of the lines
10 terminate in the near future becaus
OF tie cessation OF hostllities. The fega
expiration of the Governments uthol
i;y II a long way of in viewIuf thssfzc
that exchanges of the ratification; of tn
peace treaty will in themselves TAX
many months.
Postmaster-General Burleson is one O
the foremost advocates of Government
ownership of all lines of communities
tion. There Is no concealment OF tn
fact here that he is going ahead on
plan which will weld all lines, includin
the cables, into one system and the
reduce the rates materially. with tn
idea that public sentiment will fave
their retention by the Government whe
the time comes TO give them up.
officials here do not deny that III
cable lines have not been worked I
their capacity. but insist a unihcatio
plan can be worked out which will Civ
better satisfa ction to the public tina
the present system