Norwich bulletin., 1912-01-16
HOW THEY VIEW IT.
Senators and Representatives Discuss
 Hitchcoek's Proposition.

Washington, Jan. 15. - Speaker Champ Clark declared that government telegraph was too big a subject to discuss until all the details of the postmaster generals plan became known. Representative Underwood was reticent and MT. Mann treated the subject gingerly.
 "The relation of the postofflce de- partment to the express companies must be disposed of before its relation to the telegraph systems can be passed upon," said MT. Mann. Both subjects cannot be handled at once"
 5urleson in Sympathy.
 T am in entire sympathy with the plan,' said RepI Iesentative Burleson, of Texas, ranking democratic member of the house appropriations committee, "but the acquisition must not be at a fictitious value I would favor giving the benefit of the doubt to the tele- graph companies in fixing a reasonable price; but the United States should in no case be mulcted to the extent of paying for water"
 Williams FaVOrs Proposition.
 Senator Williams of Mississippi said he had been in favor of the proposal for twenty years. T think all kinds of intelligence, he said should go through the post office department, although I can see very good reasons why. 1t might not be practical to take over the telephones at this time"
 Adamson Against 1t.
 q think MT. Hitchcock is trying to change the subject and draw attention away from MT. Taft and the coming election" said Representative Adamson of Georgia. chairman of the house committee on interstate commerce.
 T am not in favor of the govern ment owning anything that individuals can own under proper control" Stone Sees Some Merit in It.
 Senator Stone of Missouri, who has been much opposed to government ownership of railroads, said: T car see more good reasons why the gov ernment should own the telegraph thar why 1t should own the railroads" :
 Borah in Faver.
 Senator Borah of Idaho: q am ir favor of the general proposition" Progressive leaders in the house fa- vored government purchase of tele. graph lines under proper safeguards.
 Progressive Leaders in Favor.
 T am inclined to be in favor of tht proposal" said Representative Norris of Nebraska.
 T am also for the plan," said Rep | resentative Murdock of Kansas, "bu i it will have to be carried out careful! and leisurely and only after thorougl investigation"
 Hill Strongly Against It.
 q am against ownership of telegram pl companies" said Representative Hill 0 | Connecticut, republican. "The govern ment controlled telegraphs of EnglanC are a heavy expense to the taxpayer | there and a failure so far as financia prosperity is concerned"
 Express Companies, Too, Says Lloyd
 If the government acquisition o telegraph lines is 10 be considered, tn acquisition and operation of expres companies should be considered at tn same time" said Representative Lloyi of Missouri, chairman of the democrat | ic congressional committee.
 Great Question, Says Neon. Representative Moon of Tennessee chairman of the postoffice committed announced that the matter would b given earnest attention.
 The question of government own | ership of public utilities is a great on that needs long and careful consider ation," said MT. Moon.
 If Postmaster General Hitchcock plans are embodied in bill to be in troduced in congress and the bil comes to this committee, it certainl will be given thorough investigation Such a proposal never has been befor congress that I know of" .st4
 Senator cuIIom in Favor.
 Senator Cullom of Illinois head C the foreign relations committe, aligned himself with the plan.
 "On the theory that the telegraph a part of the mails" he said, Tt seem to me that 1t would not be out of plac for the government to own the tele graph lines"
 Senator Smith Opposed.
 Senator William Alden Smith ( Michigan said:
 'I have steadfastly opposed the sov ernment ownership of the public utili ties for many years, for the reaso that I have felt that these enterprise would be more serviceable If initiate and carried through by private capita The prestige enjoyed by American cit zens is due to their unhampered indi vidual initiative and this I would pre- serve; but as a natural appurtenan-- the postal system I have felt that tt telegraph could be more appropriated operated by the government than an other branch of individual business"