1946-1948 mercury question

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I have a 48 Mercury convertible. On the steering column at about the 11 o:clock position is a hollow steel tube that runs from the steering column bracket up to the steering wheel. Does anyone know what this is for? It looks to me as if it might be for a wire that would power a light. Was there a bulb somewhere underneath the steering wheel that might have lit up the center of the horn ring emblem?
Thanks!
Bill in Connecticut

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860-364 8064