The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-17
POSTAL WORK TO HAVE WIRES
HITCHCOCK FAVORS GOVERN
ME.NT OWNERSHIP TELE-
GRAPH.
Postmaster General Points Out Ad-
vantagcs to be Derived From Fed
Crai Operation OF Lines.

of the telegraph lines Of the United
States by the government and their
vice Will be recommended to congress
in a short time by Postmaster General
Hitchcock
For year or more Mr.. Hitchcock
has had this recommendation under
consideration. After a thorough
study Of the operation of the govern
ment-controlled government lines and
, postal telegraph systems of foreign
countries, he has decided to urge the
matter upon congress.
Should this recommendation be
adopted" said Mr.. Hitchcock tonight
in statement of his intention, Il am
convinced it would result in import
ant economies and in very materially
lower telegraph rates than now are
exacted. In approximately so coun-
tries of the world-notable in Great
Britain, France, Germany, Austria,
Italy, Spain, Russia and Japan-gov-
ernment controlled telegraphs now
are in successful and profitable oper-
alton. In many of the countries these
are operated in connection with the
postal service. These telegraphs serve
an aggregate population Of O,0O0,-
600. and in every instance they have
/ been found to be of immense prac-
tical benefit to the people, in both
promptitude and cost Of the service.
: I'm this country pOstof1ices are
maintained in numerous places not
reached by the telegraph systems, and
the proposed consolidation, therefore,
would afford a favorable opportunity
for the wide extension of telegraphic
facilities. In many small towns where
the telegraph companies have offices,
the telegraph and postal business
could be handled readily by the same
employees. 1t is evident tina the sep
arate maintenance of the two services
under present conditions results in a
/ needless expense.
"The first telegraph in the United
States was operated from 1914 to
! 1S47 by the government under au-
thority from congress, and from many
viewpoints 1t Is desirable that govern
ment control should be resumed. A
method for the acquisition of tele-
graph lines is prescribed in section
5267 Of the revised statutes, which
provides that for postal, military or
other purposes the government may
purchase telegraph lines operated in
the United States at an appraised
value.
| My own view is that every reason
for the transmission of mail under
/ government control can be urged with
equal force for the transmission of
communications by telegraph. Be-
cause of the more extensive organiza-
ton maintained by the postal service
and the freedom from taxation and
other charges to which private cor
porations are subject, the govern
ment undoubtedly could afford
greater facilities at lower rates than
are afforded by companies now con-
Quoting the telegraph business. Next
to the introduction of a general par
cells posts, for which there is a strong
| popular demand, the establishment Of
government telegraph system offers
in my Judgment, the best opportunity
for the profitable extension of the
nations postal service"
1t is not Mr.. Hitchcock's purpose
to recommend the acquisition Of tee-
phone lines. except, possibly, in in
stances where they are operated as
telegraph lines and are an integral
part of definite telegraph systems
TIL latest consus figures available
connected with the telegraph COM
panies Of the United States. The ap-
prOximate value Of the systems pro-
| posed to be acquired would be surely
conjectural, but it said it would
approximate $25O,O0O,OOO. The ex-
perts who have figured on the propo-
sition are Of the opinion that exist
ing telegraph rates could he reduced
at least one-third to the public, and
yet make the operation OF the lines
profitable to the government.
HITCHCOCK'S SCHEME STIRRED