The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-06-06
Should Be Enacted Speed
To Call Up Bill Next Week.

of Mr.. Burleson's order.
To Call Up Bill Next Week.
Unanimous decision TO press legis
lation for repeal of the wire control
resolution despite Postmaster-G Gem
eral Burlesons order returning, tell
eRraph and telephone properties TO
private operation was reached to-
day by the senate interstate COM
merce committee. Chairman Cum
Minis announced the bill would he
called up in the senate next week.
/ After a further hearing today.
| however. the committee amended the
| bill so as to continue existing tele-
phone toll rates in effect for ninety
| days after the wires are turned back
instead of sixty days, as originally
proposed.
! "The postmaster general turned
back responsibility and kept COM
tro,, is that the effect?" asked Sem
ator Kellogg. ''He in effect discon-
+, tinued the board of control" replied
Mr.. Kingsbury.
"The operating control is now
with officials OF the companies who
are operating the line as agents Of
the government"
Just Piece Of Film Fam.
| His order is just piece Of Aim
] fam then7" asked Senator Kellogg.
! NO" the witness replied, ~ don't
think that is quite fair. He has done
away with the operating board. As
a result of this order the compa-
control board"
the same as he has bee doing7" the
. | Mtprnen4a aanafnr aekad
"We are just where we were when
the wires were first taken over" Mr.
kinesbury answered.
! Then he has not turned back tina
wires al all' asserted Senator kelr
lodu
4Wssn't the order issued Tor the
purpose of passing the buck on the
strikeI" asked Senator Watson, re-
publican, of indiana.
81 cont know" the witness an
swered.
Mr.. Kngsbury said the heading"
on the announcement by the postof-
flee department to the effect that the
uurlesor order returned the wires
to private control was misleading
aud that such was not the effect Of
the order.
Says Order Was Miseonstrued.
Mr.. Burleson today sent to Chair-
man Cummns a letter declaring that
his order yesterday had been mis-
construed; that he had not turned
hack the wires to private ownership
and that no such action was contem-
plated.
Brought PuzzIing Situation.
Action Thursday night by Post
master General Burleson in ordering
the immediate return to private oper-
alton of the telegraph and telephone
, lines, with the government retaining
, financial control to an extent, has
, resulted in a puZZling situation aris-
( ing in congress, where plans already
We're under way for having the prop
critics returned to their former own
ers. Chairman Cummins, of the sem
ate interstate commerce committee,
, called a meeting of his committee for
today to consider the question.
, MIR. Burleson's order, while it
places operation of the wire systems
under private control, does not af-
{ feet questions of rates and financial
relations between the government
, and the companies, which the post
, master general announced would be
; left to congress. 1t also provides that
each company keep its accounts dur
ing the remainder of the period of
| government control so that proper
/ settlements may be made when such
: control ends. Regulations prohibiting
discrimination against employees be-
cause of union Affiliations also are
maintained. The wire operating board
is abolished, but the wire control
, board will continue to function.
Contracts Remain in Effect.
Contracts for compensation and
awards by state commissions remain
in effect under the order as we'll as
, the increased toll rates, service con-
nection charges and special exchange
rates. recently authorized.
Congressional leaders to whom the
action of The postmaster general
came as a surprise. said the order
was somewhat confusing in that II
/, RETURNS physical operation of the sys-
. TENS. but retains actual control
through the financial provisions
Committee conferences today wcie
| expected to clear up the puz2, ing
features and 10 result IN a decision
rs to the course of action to be
taken,
Both Sides Confident.
Atlanta, Ca. June ga. P)-Both
SIDES expressed confidence today in the
outcome of the strike declared by the
Commercial Teiegraphers' Union of
Mncrica against the Western Union
: Telegraph company in ten southeastern
states.
In q published statement commenting
ON Postmaster General Bureson's re-
turn yesterday of the wire companies
to private control, II. c. Worthen. gem
eral manager of the southern division
OF thp Western Union. said the oraer
gives our executives full and clear
hand to fight to finish. and the pub
Tic can trust thar we will do It,"
Business viii continue normal" ne
added. contending that the company's
employees who are union men are In Sne
minority.
Statements by local leaders, on the
other hand. were Just as optimistic re-
garding their outlook. and p. G. Fon-
vile. president of the local council OF
the union. speaking for himself and C.
T. Mann, southern organizer OF the
union. predicted victory for the union
forces. A nationwide strike OF c. r.
T. A. men, he intimated, will be called