New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-03
Wants Seizure of Wires and
United States Policy of
Control Defined by Senate
Introduces a Resolution
Would Investigate Wires on
Land, Too; Wants to Know
About Plans for Expansion
Neto York Tribune
Wd.shin qton Bureau

washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. "A sweeping
investigation, not only into the seizure
OF the telegraph. telephone and cable
lines by Postmaster General Burleson
but with regard to the future policy o.
control, encouragement and expansion
was proposed in q resolution intro
duced to-day by Senator Frank B. Kel
logg of Minnesota.
Senator Kellogg made q brief speed
in explanation of his resolution to-day
but it went over until tomorrow unde
the rules. His resolution provides tina
the investigation be made by the Sen
ate Interstate Commerce Committee
but there will probably be a move to.
morrow to have this shifted to the
Postoflice and Post Roads Committee.
Following are the points outlined fol
investigation in the kellogg sresolu
ton:
Points He Wants Cleared
81: Assumption by the government
OF the supervision, possession CON
troll or operation of any or all of the
telegraph, telephone, marine cable
and radio systems.
-. The future ownership, super
vision, possession, control or opera
ton OF any or all of said systems by
the government.
%. The conditions under and the
extent to which any or all Of said
systems should be permitted to con-
solidate and authority therefor.
II. Effect Of the so-called Sherman
antitrust act upon the consolidation
OF marine cable systems extending
to foreign countries and the advis-
ability of modifying said act
D. Necessity for the extension of
marine cable systems to foreign coun-
tries and the effect thereof upon the
commerce of the United States.
%. The suffieiency OF the tele-
graph. telephone, marine cable and
radio systems to meet the business
requirements of the United States.
-. All other subjects pertinent to
the general question Of government
ownership, supervision. possession,
control and operation of any or all
telegraph, telephone, marine cable
and radio systems"
Wants to Know About Future
II think the time has come for some
real constructive legislation upon the
question of transportation facilities
Dy ran. by water as we'll as telephone
and telegraph" said Mr.. Kellogg. "My
object in introducing this resolution
IS purely to have the Congress in
formed as to what is necessary for the
extension. development and best oper-
atlon of these facilities.
Il am not particularly interested il
why these lines were taken over OF
when they were taken over. They
nave been taken over and we should
approach the subject of the future
ownership, control and operation in 8
broadminGed business way.
Nor am / going to discuss the rala-
tive advantages of government owner
ship or control of telegraph and tcle-
rhone lines. 1t is a question, ! sun.
Iose, which Congress must meet. an(
IT should do so ihtellgently and act
Tor the best interest of all OF the Deo.
pie of the country. But one thing !.
sure, no one VIII pretend that the cable
lines can be owned and operated BY
the government.
FavOrs Extension of Cables
Mr.. Burleson Will not insist on this
as a permanent policy. He is too in
telilgent. in my opinion, and too wei
informed to make any such plans. nc
there Is question of the most vita
Importance to the American people anc
to cable lines. Those lines should be
extended to Norway, Sweden, Denmark
RUSSIA, Italy ard most important of a.
TO Brazizlz and Argentina, in Soutt
America
THE British government is pushing
the commerce and its cable bushes.
TO these South American countries an,
an extension Of our cable facilities a
the earliest possible moment is of sur.
passing importance to the development
Il our commerce aad relations with
these republics to the South. Their
there IS question of the manufacture
OF cables, which should be undertak er
IN this country. At present we are
entirely dependent upon Great Britain
Tor the same.
Seeks Full Information
Il have asked the Interstate Com
merce Committee to make this invcsti
gation because 1t is already nvesti
eating the transportation. and thew RI,
more or less along parallel lines.
may introduce a bill embodying m,
IDEAS upon this cable situation. but
1nink the most important thing a
present Is for the Congress to be full,
Informed of the situation and tn,
necessities of the DEVELOPMENT an.
growth of this means of transporta
ton. VI 1S'
There is another very importan
question, and that is to what cxtcn
the government should permit the con
soiidation Of telephones, telecraphs an,
caDie systems. Manifestly some con
solidationunder government control an,
supervision will be of ADVANTAGE +,
tne people. At least. it is ouegtio,
which should be considered and gettlet
Important Domestic Question
1T is a. serious question whether tn,
duplication Of telephone lines, especial
ly, is wise, and there are questions o
the consolidation of the cable lines
which ] hope the committee will de
velop and which | shall take the occa
sion TO discuss at some future date.
What the Congress should do no,
r TO consider this whole subject. /
IS Of the greatest importance Of an,
domestic question now pending for so
luton. II should be approached in
broad minded, liberal manner and
Ioiicy worked out which shall be 70
me pest interests and meet The de
Y4andg Of thia fact prowine, o,,,,r+r-, p,