New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-13
Bill Ready To Be Pushed
Through Congress to Re-
turn the Lines to Pri-
vate Owners at Once
Hard Fight Expected
Democratic Votes Counted
Upon to Terminate Con-
troll of Burleson Regime
New York Tribune
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WASHINGTON, April 12.--The first
move of the extra session of Congress-
will be to rush through bill terminal
ing at once the Federal control of the
telephone, telegraph and cable lines,
prominent Republican leaders in the
House asserted to-day.
Representative Stevenson, Of Min
nesota, selected by the recent Repub-
lican caucus to be chairman Of the
Postoffce and Post Roads Committee,
said to-day he had decided on the form
Of the bill which he will propose. 1t
was learned that this tentative draft
has already been submitted to the
party leaders in the House, and meets
with their approval The majority
leader, Representative Mondcll. Of
Wyoming, promised Mr.. Stevenson
that the House would take up his bill
at once.
As approved. tn new bill is brief
The first section directs the govern
ment to release the wires and cables at
once. The second section calls on the
President for detailed report of the
management of the properties by Post
master General Burleson.
This section seeks information as to
the contracts made with the companies
for their compensation during the
period of government control, as we'll
ton.
Will Not Handicap Bill
1t was decided by the leaders to-
day not to handicap this bill, which
they consider is assured of majority
in both Houses. with third section
which had been under discussion. This
sional committee to audit the wire ac-
counts of the Postoffice Department.
Such section. it was thought. would
undoubtedly lead to violent resistance
IN the Senate by those Democrats who
always stand by the Administration.
All the light that could possibly be
thrown on the government operation
Of the wires by this section, it is
pointed out, will be turned on later
BY the vigorous effort to dislodge Mr.
Burleson Many Democrats are ex-
separating it from this bill the pass
age of the bill terminating govern
mont, control will be obtained, it is
thought, much sooner than if the two
nights are combined in the one bill
Vigorous Opposition Assured
Vigorous opposition to terminating
wire control is assured from such sup
porters of Mr.. Burleson as Judge
Moon, who was chairman of the Post
office Committee in the last House. 1t
was Judge Moon who introduced the
resolution in the last Congress ex-
tending the wire control indefinitely
and authorizing the Postmaster Cen
cral to negotiate the purchase of the
telegraph lines. But even with Dem
ocratic control, the Republican lead
ers point out, it was impossible for
Judge Moon to get the House to con-
slider his resolution even after he mod
flied it to meet some of the objec-
tions.
From this, as we'll as from many
frank assurances from members on
the other side of the political aisle,
the Republican leaders are counting
on many Democratic votes, both in the
House and Senate, to support this bill.
There are Democrats as we'll as Re-
publicans who do not wan to give Mr..
Burleson any further opportunity to
work out theories Of Standardization
or to make other increases in rates.
1t is estimated that the last advance
made by Mr.. Burleson will cost the
public about S3o,oOO,0OO year.