Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-06-11
BOTH HOUSES Of
CONGRESS HURRY
LEGISLATION To
RESTORE WIRES
Senate Passes Bill Repeating
Law Authorizing Federal
Control Without a Voice
Raised Against It,
DEMOCRATS ADMIT
BIG MISTAKE MADE
Several Declare No Valid Rea-
son Existed for Seizure and
No One Defended Record of
Postmaster General

Washington, June 6.--On the eve of
the nationwide telegraphers' strike,
both bodies of congress today acted
to end quickly government control of
the country's wire systems.
The senate passed unanimously the
bill for repeal forthwith of the law
authorizing federal jurisdiction over
telegraph, telephone, cable and radio
lines, while the house interstate COM
merce committee agreed to report leg
islation ending government wire con-
troll June 80 next.
No move was made by the postof-
flee department touching the situa-
ton and officials said that none
would be made, the return of wire
operations having left the situation
to the handling of private manage
ments. At the same time, officials
largely responsible for the conduct OF
the telegraph systems were inclined
to discount the possibility that COM
munications would be seriously ham
pered by the strike Of telegraph OPP
orators. The threatened walkout of
electrical workers was said to have
more serious possibilities,
High Rates Ninety Days.
The senate in adopting the repeal
bill approved an Rn inent to con-
tnue present teispAo.ic rates ninety
days or until the tariffs can be ad-
justed by state commissions.
Democratic and republican sena-
tors joined in support of the repeal
bill of which Senator Kellogg, repub-
lican, of Minnesota, is the author, and
also in criticism of the taking over OF
the wires and the results of govern
ment operation. Debate in the senate
was brief and the bill passed without
a record vote. 1t now goes to the
house, the interstate commerce com
mittee of which will begin Thursday
with a view to prompt action.
In addition to the amendment con-
tinuing existing toll and local eX-
change telephone rates for ninety
days, the senate also adopted an
amendment by Senator Sheppard,
democrat, of Texas, providing that
government control should not be q
defense by the wire companies in pri-
vate damage suits.
Seizure Unwarranted.
Many senators in today's debate de-
clared that no necessity required TAX
ing over of the wires and that govern
ment operation had been unsatisfac-
tory.
Il think a very great mistake was
made when the wires were taken
over,' said Senator Pomerene of
Ohio. mo good came from 1t and
much harm came. The more quickly
they can be turned back the better.
There was no necessity for taking
them over. Government operation, u
some extent at least, has served to
destroy morale of the companies"
Chairman Cummins of the inter
state commerce committee, and Sena-
tor King, democrat, of Utah.. also de-
clared that no valid reason had been
assigned for federal assumption of the
wire systems, while Senator Watson,
republican, of Indiana, declared fed
eral operation had been q failure
II trust out of it will come lesson
to the American people" said MIR.
Watson, that we shall never again
government operation of pub
lie utilities, much less government
ownership"