The Calumet news., 1912-02-22
Does Not Believe Cheaper Tele-
graph Tolls for Public
Would Result
PRAISES DEPARTMENTS WORK
Parcels Post Meets With Approx
al Of Executive
Thinks Postmaster Should Be Brought
Under Civil Service as Well
as Assistant.

Washington, Feb, 22.-President
Taft today informed Congress that he
did not approve OF Postmaster General
iIitchcocks suggestion that the gov
ernment buy and operate all telegraph
lines as an adjunct OF the postal sys-
TEN. Mr.. Taft said that If IT could be
shown that the public would benefit by
receiving service at a less price than
is now paid he might think differently
OF the plan. but that he was not con-
vinoed such would be the effect.
After referring to the practical wip-
ing out of the postal deficit and other
features OF Mr.. Hltchcocks admins
tration OF affairs. Mr.. Taft in trans
hitting the Post Office Departments
report TO Congress today said:
There is only one recommendation
in which | cannot agree-that is one
which recommends that the telegraph
lines in the United States should ~
made part Of the postal system and
operated in conjunction with the mail
system. This presents question of
government ownership of public ultili.
ties which are now being conducted
by private enterprise under franchises
from the government.
II 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 do not
think IL is i'm accordance with the best
public policy thus greatly to increase
the body OF public servants
commends Department.
"Of course, If it could be shown
that telegraph service could be fur
nished to the public at a less price |
than il is now furnished to the public !
by telegraph companies. and with !
equal efficiency, the argument might |
be strong one in favor of the adop- |
tion of the proposition. But | am not |
from any evidence that If (
these properties were taken over by the |
government they could be managed any |
more economically or any more eff |
ciently 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"
More than this it seems TO me that |
the consideration of the question ought
10 be postponed until after the postal
savings banks have come into complete
md smooth operation and after a par
,els post has been established. not on
y upon the rural routes and the city
deliveries, but also throughout the de-
lartment. It will take some time TO
perfect these additions to the activi-
les of the postofiice department. and
We may well await their complete and
adoption before we make on
/ new burden in this very extended de-
,artment."
The president found much he said.
o commend in Mr.. Hitchcock's De-
,artment. Il cannot speak with too
treat emphasis" he said, "of the Inn
in the Post Office Depart
nent under the present management
aid the President. He showed that
here was a surplus of $219,11S.12 at
he end of the last fiscal year com
Jared with a deficit Of S17,47977047
wo years before This was not to
,e accounted for. the President pointed
ut by reductions Of force or numbers
# postoffices or salaries but by scien-
ihc economy.
Mr.. Taft approved the adoption of a
'arcels post recommended by Mr.
Hitchcock; said that the placing Of
ssistant postmasters i'm the civil SER
ice should be followed BY placing un- II
er the classified service OF postmas-
er and commended the postal savings
ystem Preparations are being made,
e said, to establish this system at
bout 10000 fourth class Offices
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