The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1912-01-15
U. S. MAY ACQUIRE
TELEGRAPH lines
Postmaster General Hitchcock
to Recommend to Congress
Purchase of Systems

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.-Acquisition
of the telegraph lines of the United
States by the government and their
operation as a part of the postal serv-
ice viii be recommended to congress
soon by Postmaster General Hitch
cock.
For year or more Hitchcock has
had this recommendation under consid-
GRAFTON. After a thorough study of
the operation of government controlled
lines and postal telegraph systems of
foreign countries, he has decided TO
urge the matter upon congress.
Should this recommendation be
adopted Hitchcock said tonight, in
statement of his intentions. Il am con-
vinced it would result in important
economies and in materially lowering
the telegraph rates than now are ex-
acted In approximately so countries
of the world, notably in Great Britain.
France. Germany, Austria, Italy. Spain,
Russia and Japan, government con-
trolled telegrsphs now are in profit
able operation.
In many of the countries they are
operated in connection with the postal
service.
These telegraphs serve an average
population of 100000, 600. and in every
| instance they have been found to be
of immense practical benefit TO the
people in both promptitude and cost
of service.
I'm this country postoffices are
maintained in numerous places not
reached by telegraph systems, and
the proposed consolidat tion, therefore,
would afford a favorable opportunity
| for the wide extension of telegrapilic
facilities. In many small towns where
| the telegraph companies have Offices
the telegraph and mail business could
be handled readily by the same sem-
ployes 1t is evident that the separate
maintenance of the two services under
present conditions results in a needless
| expense.
THE first telegraph in the United
l
by the government, under authority
from congress. and from many view
! points it is desirable that government
| control be resumed. A method for the
acquisition of telegraph lines is pre-
scriDed in section 5267 of the revised
statutes, which provides that for pos
tai, military or other purposes the gov
ernment may purchase telegraph lines.
operated in the United States. at an
appraised value.
My view is that every reason for
the transmission of mail under govern
ment control can be urged with equal
force for the Transmission OF communi-
cations by telegraph.
Because of the more extensive or
ganization maintained by the postal
service and the freedom from taxation
and other charges to which private cor
porations are subject the government
undoubtedly could afford greater facili-
ties at lower rates than are afforded by
companies now conducting the telegraph
business. Next to the introduction OF a
general parcels post. for which there is
a strong popular demand, the establish
ment of a government telegraph system
offers, in my Judgment, the best oppor
tunity for the profitable extension of
the nations postal service
1t is not Hitchcockfs purpose to rec
cmmend the acquisition of telephone
lines, except. possibly. in instances
where they are operated as telegraph
lines and are an integral part Of definite
| telegraph systems.