Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-01-29
j. s. WIRE CONTROL
CONTINUED from Page One.)

last November. under authority given ID
the original wire-control resolution
passed by congress last July 16.
Cable control was brought INTO the
proceedings of the committee through
an order Of the British war office, for
bidding the control Of cables beng CEN
tered in any one company in Great Brit
ain which was read into the record by
Representative Madden. 1t was con-
tanned in a letter from George q. Ward,
vice president of the Commercial Cable
company, to Postmaster General Burle-
son, dated Jan. 25. which said '.the Brit
ish government forbids our placing the
Commercial Gable company or its cables
under control of its competitor, the
Western Union Telegraph company"
British Anti c ontroI Order.
The order Of the British war office
was quoted by Mr.. Ward as concluding
as follows:
His majesty's government does
not agree to either company allow
ing control of it's stations, staff or
work in the United Kingdom by the
other company, or by any person
acting directly or indirectly on be
half Of the other company. or on
behalf of the United States govern
ment."
Chairman Moon stated the new legis-
lation would not affect the original law,
insofar as it applied to cable properties,
control of which would have to be re
linquished with the issuing Of d procla-
nation by the president announcing the
signing of the treaty of peace and Its
ratification. Other members expressed
different view, based upon the fact that
thu cable properties were controlled hr
the telegraph companies They thought
control of the cables would be autnmat
icafly extended. There were still other
committeeman who believed the question
would have to be settled in the courts.
Purchase Voted Down.
As introduced by Chairman Moon, the
resolution authorized the postmaster
general to negotiate contracts for the
purchase of telephone companies and to
have an appraisement made of the tele-
graph properties. but these provision
were stricken out. Mr.. Burleson and
other proponents Of the legislation in
sisted that the purpose was to extend the
period of control and not to bring about
government ownership.
On the final vote, as announced by the
committee, three democrats joined with
seven republicans to end the period OF
control on Dec. 81. and seven democrats
ami one prohibitionist opposed it. as they
desired extension for a longer period.
The vote follows:
For: Republicans. Stevenson, Minncso-
ta: Madden, Illinois; Griest Pennsyl-
yania: Copley. Illinois; Paige, Massa-
chusetts; Woodewayed, West Virginia;
Georgia: Holland, Virginia; Black, Tex
as g. Total 10.
Against: Democrats. Moon. Tennc-
sec; Sterling, Pennsylvania; Oliver, New
York: Rouse. Kentucky; Blackmon, Ala
bama Beakes, Michigan; and Ayers,
Kansas-7 Prohibitionists, Randall,
Total S.
Could Force U. S. Ownership.
In admitting that many telephone
were facing financial stress
and that the public was doomed TO poor
service under private operation, Post
master General Burleson said:
IF | wanted to force government
ownership. l would say turn back the
wires in three months"
Theodore \. Vail Of the American Tel
ephone and Telegraph company, he said.
had advised extension of five years Of
government control and hundreds of 9th
cr teleph0ne men asked extension Of two
TO six years.
Nj. BurIeson said that conflicting au-
thorities in various states and thousands
Of municipalities would make it almost
impossible for the wire companies to
operate, il returned them to private
ownership.
Should Be Like Postage.
Toll or long distance rates, according
to Mr.. Burleson, should be universal rs
is the postage rate. He added that the
new toll rates, fixed by the federal wire
control board. were unchanged or lower
IN 70 per cent IF the calls and higher
IN 80 per cent.
Representative Stcenerson OF Minneso-
IA, asked about the origin Of the wire
control law and Mr.. Buricson, interrupt
ng him, said:
Know whether | instigated the resolu- |
ion. Well, | did not
Mr.. Steenerson suggested that Mr.. /
Burlcson might know the reason for
congress being asked to pass the law for T
wire control. but the postmaster gem
raj said that the first he knew of the |
'esolution was when Representative |
Aswkell, Of Louisiana, introduced it.
Was it for war purposes?" asked |
Steencrson
'You must ask the president. I don't
NOW" answered Mr.. Rurleson.
Cant you say whether It was for the
lational security" persisted Mr.. Steen-
,rson.
II am quite sure it was, or the Dresi-
lent would not have taken over the
Flres, answered the postmaster gem
raj