Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-02-23
Of Postmaster Gen. Hitch
cocks Suggestion
That Government Own and Op-
crate All Telegraph Lines
President Taft So States, Thursday,
In Address TO Congress.

Washington. Feb. president Taft,
today, informed Congress that he did
not approve of Postmaster General
Hitchcock's suggestion that the gov
eminent buy and operate all telegraph
lines as an adjunct OF the postal sys-
TEN. Mr.. Taft said that if ii could be
shown that the public would benefit
by receiving service at a less price
than is now paid he might think diff
ferently of the PLAN but that he was
not convinced such would be the effect,
After referring to the practical WHIP
ing out of the postal deficit and other
features of Nh Hitchcock admins
traticn of affairs, Mr.. Taft in trans
hitting the post office departments re-
port 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 be
made a part of the postal system and
operated in conjunction with the mail
system. This presents a question OF
government ownership of public utili
| ties which are now being Conducted by
private enterprise under franchises
| from the government
Il believe that the true principle is
| that private enterprise should be per
| mtted to carry on such public utlli-
| ties 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 II in accordance with
! the best public policy thus greatly to
| increase the body of public servants.
| 'Of course, if it could be shown that
! telegraph service could be furnished
| to the public at less price than it is
now furnished to the public by tele-
| graph companies, and with equal eff
| cheney. the argument might be a
| strong one in favor of the adoption of
| the proposition. But 1 am not salts
| fed from any evidence that if these
1 properties were taken over by the gov
| ernnlent they could be managed any
| more economically or any more effi-
GENTLY 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 to be postponed until after the
| Postal Savings Banks have come into
| complete and smooth operation and
| after a parcels post has been estab-
| lished. not only upon the rural routes
and the city deliveries, but also
| throughout the department.
It will take some time TO perfect
| these additions to the activities of the
| postoffice department and we may
| vau await their complete and sue
cessful adoption before we take on
| a new burden in this very extended
| department"
The President found much, he said
to commend in Mr.. Hitchcock's depart
ment Il cannot speak with too great
| emphasis" he said, "of the improve
| ment in the post office department
| under the present management" said
| the President He showed that there
| was a surplus of S219.1 1S.12 at the end
| of the last fiscal year compared with
| a deficit of 81. 479, 170.47. two years be-
| fore. This was not to be accounted
for. the President pointed out, by re-
| dnctions of force or numbers of post
offices or salaries. but by scientific
| economy
Mr.. Taft approved the adoption OF
| parcels post recommended by Mr.
| Hitchcock; said that the placing OF
! assistant postmasters in the civil SER
vice should be followed by placing un-
| der the classified service of postmas-
tiers. and commended the postal saw
ings system. Preparations are being
made, he said. to establish this system
at about 10000 fourth class offices.