Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-02-22
TAFT DIsAPPRovEs OF FEDERAL
OWNERSHIP OF TELE.
GRAPH LINES.
MUST BE SHOWN THAT
PUBLIC WOULD BENEFIT
President Argues That Principle Of
Government Ownership 10 Wrong
Suggests Classified Service For Post
masters-Finds Much to Approve in
Hitehcock's Dep artmsnt.

Washington, Feb. 22.-President Taft
today informed congress that he did
not approve of Postmaster General
Hitchcock's suggestion that the gov
ernment buy and operate all telegraph
lines as an adjunct Of the postal sys-
tenn. Mr.. Taft said that If 1t could be
shown that the public would benefit by
receiving service at q less price than
is now paid, he might think differently
Of the plan, but that he was not con-
vinced such would be the effect.
After referring to the practical wip-
ing out of the postal deficit and other
tration Of affairs. Mr.. Taft, in trans
Titting the postoffice departments re-
port to congress today, said
There is only one recommendation
in which l can not agree-that Is one
which recommends that the telegraph
lines in the United States should be
made a part of the postal system. This
presents a question Of government ow-
nership of public utilities which are
now being conducted by private en-
terprises under franchises from the
government.
Says Principle is Wrong.
Il believe that the true principle Is
that private enterprise should be per-
mitted to carry on such public utilities
under due regulation as to rates by
proper authority rather than that the
government should itself conduct them.
This principle favor because I do not
think it in accordance with the best
public policy thus greatly to increase
the body Of public servants.
"Of course. II 1t could be shown
that telegraph service could be fur
n!shed to the public at less price
than II is now furnished to the public
by telegraph companies, and with equa
efficiency. the argument might be $
strong one in favor OF the adoption OF
the proposition. But I am not satisfied
from any evidence that II these prop
critics were taken over by the govern
11ent they could be managed any more
economically or any more efficiently or
that this would enable the government
to furnish service at any smaller rate
than the public are now required to
pay by private companies"
Finds Much to Commend.
The president found much. he said
to commend in Mr.. Hitchcock's depart
n: ent. "T can not speak with too great
emphasis" he said. "of the improve
ment in the postoffice department un-
der the present management" said the
president He showed that there was a
surplus OF s21e.11s.12 at the end OF the
last fiscal year compared with de-
felt Of 3f7.47977o.47 two years before
This was not to be accounted for. the
president pointed out. by reductions Of
force or numbers Of postofYices or
salaries. but by scinetiflc economy.
Mr.. Taft approved the adoption OF a
parcels post recommended by Mr.
Hitchcock; said that the placing Of as
sistant postrnasters in the civil service
should be followed by placing ur1er
the classified service OF postmasters
and commended the postal sayings sys-
tenn. Preparations are being made. he
said, to establish this system at about
10000 fourth class offices.