Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-01-03
SENATOR WANTS INQUIRY
FOR CONTROL Of WIRES
kellogg Asks Investigation to Pro-
vide Basis for Permanent Solu-
ton of Problem.

Washington, Jan S-Urging that the
government must provide legislation for
future control OF the telephone. telegraph
and cable systems. Senator Kellogg Of
Minnesota yesterday offered resolution
20 direct the Interstate Commerce Com
mission to make an inquiry into the
whole subject In ms resolution Sena-
tor kellogg called for an investigation
of these points:
/. Assumption by the Government Of
the SUPERVISION, possession, control or
operation OF any or all Of the telegraph,
telephone, marine cable and radio systems
>. The future ownership, supervision,
possesslon, control, or operation OF any
or all of said systems by the Government
). The condition under and the ex-
tent 10 which any or OF all said systems
should be permitted 10 consolidate and
authority therefor.
4. Eject of the Sherman act upon
the consolidation Of marine cable sys-
TENS extending 10 foreign countries and
the advisabihty of modifying said act
3 Necessity for the extension Of the
marine cable systems to foreign countries
and the effect thereof upon the commerce
Of the United States.
Is. The sufhciency of the telegraph
telephone, marine cable, radio systems
United States.
.. Al other subjects pertinent to the
general subject OF private ownership,
supervision, possession. control and opera
tion Of any or all telegraph, telephone,
marine cable and radio systems.
Il think the time has come for some
real conservative legislation on these
facilities" said Senator kellogg II seek
10 have Congress informed as to what is
necessary for this extension, develop
ment, and best means Of operation.
u am not particularly interested In
why these lines were taken over; they
have been taken over and we should
approach the subject OF the future own
ership, control or operation IN 4 broad
minded business way.
''One thing Is sure, no one will pre-
tend that the cable lines can be owned
and operated by the government Mr
Burieson will not insist OF this as a per-
manent policy. He Is too intelligent, IN
my opinion, and too well informed 10
make any such plans. \ question ol the
most vital Importance 10 the American
peop!t and 10 the development Of our
iorpigu commerce is the extension OF the
cable hnes. Al ! want TO say now on
tins is>that they should be extended to
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Italy,
and. most important Of all. 10 Brazil aud
Argentina. IN South America
Tho British Government Is pushing
the commerce and It's cable business 10
those south American countries, and an
extension % our cable facilities at the
earliest moment Is OF surprising I'M
poriancc 70 the development Of our com
mCrce and relations with these republics
10 the south The manufacture Of cables
should be undertaken by this government
also. Now W. are entirely dependent
upon Great Britain for that
The extent to which the government
should permit the consolidation Of tele-
phone, telegraph and cable systems is
a most important question Manifcstly
some consolidation under government
con trol would b. Of advantage 10 the
people ~ least the problem should be
considered as settled Ii is a serious
question whether the duplication Of tele-
phone lines, especially. Is wise. and there
are questions about the consolidation of
the cable lines, which hope the Senate
viii develop