The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-24
KILOGRAMS At
TEN-CENT RATE.
Representative Jackson on
Public Ownership.
An ADJUNCT 70 POSTAL SERVICE.
Manifold Advantages Urged for
Extending Use Of Wires and
Lessening Cost of Operating
IN Connection with Mails.

Representative Jackson is much pleased
at the response made to his proposition
for the Government ownership of teIe-
graph lines. He says he has received
promise of support from many members
Of Congress, including members of the
Postoffice Committees besides numerous
letters congratufating him upon his re-
vival of the movement.
The sentiment is constantly growing =
said he, in favor of Government owner
ship of the telegraphs, and if the people
could crystalline that sentiment into a
petition to their respective Congressman
asking them to support this measure, or
some measure having for its object and
purpose Government ownership 1 don't
think we would have any trouble in soly-
ing the question at this Congress.
Efficient Service Chief Aim.
The advantages to be gained are mani
fold The present telegraph facilities are
not IS great as they should be. The gov
eminent could place an Office in every
postofhee in the country and thereby the
farmer. the iaborer, and the mechanic
could enjoy the service. At present the
Offices are located where they can make
the most money The Government does
not aim at dividends. but al efficient
service
Lever charge would be an immediate
benefit TO the people Instead of mini
mum charge OF twenty-five cents, 10
cent or even a scent rate would be pre-
ferable
a Saving of Expenses.
BY the consolidation of the two exist
ing Offices only one set OF officers would
be necessary. which in itself would effect
q great economy Put the telegrsphs in
The postofTlces all over the country and
there would be no occasion to pay Office
rents.
Besides these manifest savings in the
cost Of administration it would be pos
sfbIe for the Government TO install many
OF the time and labor saving devices for
the transmission OF messages which are
now, for one reason or another. not en-
ployed- A Decent rate would furnish an
immense business and corresPondingFy
large revenue
With the Government n control. there
NSN-U DS uO discrimination IN FAVOR OF
certain classes at the expense of others.
The Wall Street Spectator would have
no advantages over the farmer Of trades
man Neither would there be any fear
Of the disclosure Of the contents of mes
sages, such as has been charged in the
past.
Financing the Project
AS 10 the probable cost and expense,
nothing would be gained al this time by
making an estimate. Ny resolution sug-
gests a way by which We can obtain &C
curate information t has been estimated
by those vino have given the matter years
of study that within fifteen or twenty
years the Government would realize
enough TO pay for this property and at
the same time give the people better ia
cilities and at less cost.
4 an not yet ready 20 discuss the
manner Of paying for the property. Let
US first commit the Government 10 the
purchase I am inclined. however, to IA
vor the issuance Of bonds to make the
purchase, because they would involve no
additional taxation on the people, and
they would readily be taken by the banks
for deposit as security for their circula-
rfoD