The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-12-31
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP IDEA.

sbove the restraints of justice deeency and law
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP IDEA.
wsbroton December az.--(Staf CorreSpondence)-
,csenatiye Jackson OF Kansas is interesting himself IN
movement which has for its object the government owner
ship of telegraph lines He has been working on inc a''e
ior some time past lie says that number OF congress
non have assured him OF their hearty cooperation and that
he has received letters from various parts oil the
country congraulang him the stand he has taken ana
wishing him success i'll his Efforts
Mr. Jackson thinks that the whole question might DC
d NV the present congress- were people of the coun-
tr who believe in government ownership TO express their
sentiments in the shape of petitions to their respective con-
ressmen He is Of the opinion that increased efficiency
would be the greatest Of benefits be derived from the
poposed change The present facilities he says are not as
great as they should be- the charged by the private
corporations which control the business too high were
the business placed under the control OF the govern
ent he thinks it would possible greatly increase the
number Offices thus giving the benefit OF the telegraph 10
more people than enjoy it present and at the same time
to reduce the of service Instead of minimum charge
Of IS cents present he thinks it would be possible tor
the government place the minimum law TO- or even
cents and still pay all the expenses of operation 1t would
not be the of the government make money he points
out but to give the possible service at the lowest
sible
Much money could be saved he thinks in the way of
Office rent for whereas the private companies in
the field expend large for this item alone, it would be
possible the government to place its telegraph offices in
the postoce OF the country By the consolidation OF the
two existing companies under the control OF the govern
uent only one set officers would be needed and here
again considerable saving could be effected There would
danger the leakage of under the proposed new
system according Mr.. Jacksons idea and there would
discrimination in favor of class against another
Nothing could be gained at this time by making an es-
mate as to the probable cost and expense said Mr. Jack
son In recent interview THE resolution which have in
oduced in the house suggests by which OBJ
tain accurate information has been estimated by those
who have given the matter years of study that within hf
twenty years the government would realize enough
pay fo this property and the time give the people
better facilities and at less cost.
u yet ready discuss the manner of paying for
the property Let first commit the government TO the
purchase. inclined however favor the issuance of
bonds make the purchase because they would involve
additional taxation the people and they would readily
be taken by the banks for deposit security for their cir
oulaton."
In this connection may be stated that others who have
looked into of the opinion that the entire
TENS Of the Western Union and Postal companies ncud-
ing than million miles of wire, and the cables OF the
Commercial Gable company he of the Postal Iele
graph company could be purchased for about the estimated
the Nicaragua canal $2oouooooo. The par value
of all the capitalization and bonded Indebtedness of the
companies and their leased lines is something above $I7
and making allowances for the which the
capitalists interested might be able to bring about it is es
mated total market value of the entire capitalization
$3.50 100000 although the figures might reach $780,
il owners OF the property succeeded in getting
the most favorable terms. Assuming these figures be
said that the government could make very hand
profit its investment should it decide to purchase
the property might reduce the of service
to make the venture simply selfsupportng
and give the public the benefit of the profits, If govern
per bonds issued pay for the properties
the government would have annual interest charge
their account of $6ooooo 10 100000 The combined
earnings Of the companies estimated be about
annually will be that the interest charge
could be paid of this fund and between $4ooooo and
S4Sooooo be left each be converted into sinking
fund which in about forty years would be of sufficient size
pay off the original Indebtedness All these figures
based of the hypothesis that the government
could conduct the business economical basis that
which the two independent companies working now
is possible that the would be increased some
result of government ownership but is believed
that savings which could be effected in ways would
serve to Offset this increase
The Western Union company has received from the
public during the last nine something like Saooooo
than twice the OF its capitalization Its
net earnings during the period named have been
100000 detailed of its earnings etc. during
those nine years is here given:
Years Receipts Expenses Profits
lSqoor.......... $23o343a6 $i64zSz4I $66os sSs
1871 -g-'''''''''' 157eo4o4 Io3o7SSz 7398s47