Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-06
WIRE CONTROL
NOT RELEASED
BY BURLESON?
Only Passed Buck" in
Face of Strike, Con-
gressmen Claim.


General Burleson's order abolish
ing the wire control board in New
York and restoring the operation
of the telephone and telegraph
properties to officials of the COM
panies, acting as agents OF the
government, was attacked today by
members of congress, some OF
whom charged that Mr.. Burleson
had passed the buck" because Of
the threatened nationwide strike
OF members of the Commercial
Telegraphers Union Of America
Immediately after Mr.. Burlesons
Konenkamp, president of the Teleg-
rapher's union, ordered a strike
egrapher's union, ordered strike
of members of the union employed
by the Western Union Telegraph
company in the 10 southeastern
states and reports from the chief
cities in that territory today show
ed that scores of operators as well
as some clerks would quit their
posts. Officials of the company at
Atlanta said that with the wires
again under company operation
there would be a finish fight, while
those of the union intimated that II
necessary a nationwide strlke
would be called.
viii Press Legislation.
Meantime Republican leaders
planned to press for action pending
legislation repeating the resolutions
under which the government took
control of the wire companies and
the senate interstate commerce
committee today continued hearings
on the repeal measures with n. {.
Kingsbury, vice president OF the
American Telephone and Telegraph
company, as witness.
Mr.. kingsbury appeared before
the committee to urge legislation
continuing existing telephone rates
until state commissions have time
to pass on them and establish new
schedules. Mr.. kingsbury was ques-
toned at length by members OF the
committee as to the result OF Mr..
Burleson's order.
Witness Questioned.
"The postmaster general turned
back responsibility and kept con-
troll, is that the effect?' asked Sen
ator Kellogg.
He in effect discontinued the
board of control" replied Mr..
Kingsbury.
"The operating control is now
with officials of the companies VINO
are operating the lines as agents of
the government"
His order is just a piece of film
flam them" asked Senator Kellogg.
NO." the witness replied, 81 don't
think that is quite fair. He has done
away with the operating board. AS
a result of this order the companies
now report directly to the wire con-
troll board"
Then Mr.. Burleson goes on just
the same as he has been doing?'
the Minnesota senator asked.
Situation Not Changed.
I'VE are just where we were
when the wires were first taken
over" Mr.. Kinsbury answered.
Then he has not turned back the
wires at ALL" asserted Senator
Kellogg.
Wasn't the order issued for the
purpose of passing the buck on the !
striker" asked Senator Watson, Re
publican, of Indiana
Il don't know" the winess an
swered.
Mr.. Kingsbury said the head '
ing" on the announcement by the |
postoffice department TO the effect |
that the Burleson order returned |
the wires to private control was |
and that such was not !
the effect of the order.
"MiscOnstrued,7 Says BurlesOn.
Mr.. Burleson today sent TO Chair
man Cummins a letter declaring |
that his order yesterday had been |
that he had not |
turned back the wires to private |
ownership and that no such action |
was contemplated.