The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-16
HrTcHcOCEs LATEST.

Some OF the telegraph people seem
10 think that Postmaster Hitchcocks
plan 10 have the government take over
the operation of the telegraph lines
would result in failure and in the up
building Of a political machine for the
administration. At least some OF them
are so quoted whether that is their be-
lief OF not OF course. it's TO their best
advantage TO say SO anyway
Many people will be inclined to dis
believe that prediction Of failure since
Frank Hitchcock prt tne postotiice de-
apartment on it's feet. His recent an
nual report showed that he succeeded
lin turning the usual deficit into a sur
plus and at the same time increased
the efficiency Of the department and
extended the postal system. The sur
plus he reported was the first in many
years. The department was failure,
so far as its ability TO maintain itself
was concerned. until Hitchcock took
hold OF it.
SO somehow or another We feel that
IL the government took over the tele-
graph lines as an adjunct Of the pos
tai system and put a man like Hitch
cock in charge Of it that il would
prove Of great benefit to the people in
the way OF lower rates. just as the
postmaster general says.
| Frank Hitchcock is not making this
Recommendation with his eyes shut. 1t
is not fanciful scheme Of his. He has
been quietly investigating the subject
for a long time and has found II has
worked well in many other countries.
Notably in Great Britain. France, Ger
many. Austria, Italy. Spain. Russia and
Japan, government controlled tele-
graphs now are in successful and pro-
fitable operation. In many Of the coun-
tries they are operated in connection
with the postal service. These tele-
graphs serve an aggregate population
OF $4,000. 900. and in every instance
they have been found TO be OF inn
mense practical benefit 10 the people
In both promptitude and cost of the
service
| The postmaster general declares that
in many places including those places
where the telegraph does not exist
lines could DO Installed and operated
in connection with the postofiices by
the same employees and that because
Of the more extensive organizations
maintained by the postal service and
| the freedom from taxation and other
charges 10 which private corporations
are subject, the government. undoubt-
edly could afford greater facilities, at
lower rates than are afforded by the
companies now conducting the telc-
graph business.
Mr. Hitchcock is not making his rec
Iommendation as an administrative
measure because the matter WAS not
presented 10 President Taft before Mr.
Hitchcocks statement was made pub
lie. But it is stated that this fact has
loccasioned no friction between the
president and the postmaster general
and apparently the proposal has the
approval OF Mr. Taft
Government owned telegraph lines
probably would become part of a. po-
litical machine. That would be a re-
suit 10 be expected. Political machines
are part Of the government. THEY
exist under any and all conditions.
the party in power Is the biggest ma
chine and there are a lot of smaller
ones or branches. The telegraph lines.
n taken over. would naturally become
a part Of the big machine. Yet If the
people were benefited by lower rates
probably they would be willing TO let
tho politicians pun the strings, or
rather the wires. TO suit themselves.
And II they were not willing the poll
iciang would do IL anyway.