The Mena weekly star., 1912-01-18
WOULD TAKE OVER
 TELEGRAPH LINES
Postmaster General Hitchcock Will Recommend Government Own ership-Success in Many Na-
 tiOns-Much Lower Rates.

Washington, Jan. i5.- Postmast- CT General Hitchcock, who last night gave out statement that he would recommend to congress the government ownership of the tele-- graph, was summoned to the white house today by President Taft. The pronouncement in favor of the government ownership and op- eration of the telegraph lines, as an adjunct to the postofflce de- pertinent, stirred official Washing ton today as few administrative acts have in recent years.
 The postmaster generals state ment was news to the white house, and is said to have caused great est surprise there. This was evil dent when efforts were made late last night to recall the announce lment.
 Senators and representatives generally didn't learn of the pro- posed recommendation until they read the papers today. When they reached the capitol all were dis cussing the matter and many di- vergent views were expressed.
 The most generally discussed cf all reports early today was one that pressure might be brought to bear on Hitchcock not to make the rec Iommendation.
 Acquisition of the telegraph lines of the United States by the gov- ernment and their operation as part of the postal service will be recommended in congress in short time by Postmaster General Hitchcock, he says.
 A Success in Fifty Countries.
 Should this recommendation i. adopted" Mir. Hitchcock said to- night in statement of his inten- ton, T am convinced 1t would Ie- suit in important economies and rn materially lower telegraph rates than are now exacted.
 Tn approximately fifty countries of the world-notabley in Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Russia and Japan- government controlled telegrarhs are in profitable operation. Tn many of the countries they are op- erated in connection with the pos tai service. These teIegranhs serve an aggregate population of o50 million, and in every instance they have been found to be of in,- mense benefit to the people, both in oromptitude and cost of the ser- vice.
 The Law Provides for It.
 Tn this country postonlces are maintained in numerous places not reached by telegraph systems. and the proposed consolidati, n, thel C. fore would afford favorable op- lportunity for the wide extension of Photographic facilities. Tn many small towns where the telegraph companies have offices the tele graph and mail business could Le handled readily by the same en- oloyes. It is evident that the sAp- arate maintenance of the two ser vices under present conditions re- suits in a needless expense.
 "The first telegraph in the United States was operated from 784l to i8l7 by the government under au- thority from congress. And fron many viewpoints it is desirable that government control should be re- sumed A method for the acduisi- tion of telegraph lines is prescribed | in Section 5267 of tive revised stat- utes, which provides that for pos tt5i, military or otirer purposes the government may purchase tele- graph lines, operated in the United States, at an appraised value.
 Would Bring Lower Rates. My view is that every reason for the transmission of mail under government control can be urged with equal force for transmission of communications by telegraph.
 Because of the more extensive Organization maitained by the pos tai service and the freedom from taxation and other charges to which private corporations are subject, the government undoubt- edly could afford great facilities at lower rates than are afforded by companies now conducting the telegraph business. Next to the in troduction of a.general parcels post, for which there is strong popular demand the establishment of a government telegraph system of fers, in my judgment. the best op- lportunity for the profitable &ten-