Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-01-17
FAvoRs TELEGRAPH PURCHASE.
TO Combine 1t With Postal Service is
HitchcOck's Idea.

Washington, Jan. 14.--Acquisition
Of the telegraph lines of the United
States by the government, and their
operation as part of the postal SER
vice, will be recommended to Con-
gress in a short time by Postmaster
General Hitchcock.
For a year or more Mr.. Hitchcock
has had this recommendation under
consideration. After thorough
study of the operation Of the govern
ment-controlled lines and postal tele-
graph systems Of foreign countries,
he has decided to urge the matter
upon Congress.
Too Late.
This announcement to-day seemed
greatly to agitate official Washington.
The White House apparently was es-
pecially anxious to discover the
whereabouts of the postmaster gene
raj and efforts were made to recall
the announcement. 1t had been
made broadcast, however, and the
telegraph wires were buzzing with
the news when Mr.. Hitchcock, who
had been in New York, returned late
In the evening. He went at once to
his apartments and refused to see
any one.
Thinks Would Lower Rates.
SHOULD this recommendation be
adopted" said Mr.. Hitchcock tonight
in statement Of his intention, "I am
convinced 1t would result in import
ant economies and in very materially
lower telegraph rates than now are
exacted. In approximately fifty
countries of the world-notably in
Great Britain, France, Germany,
Austria, Italy, Spain, Russia and ia
pan = government-contro tele-
graphs now are in successful and
profitable operation. In many of the
countries they are operated in connec-
ton with the postal service. These
telegraphs serve an aggregate popu-
lation of 95O,OOO,O0O, and in every
instance they have been found to be
of immense practical benefit to the
people in both promptitude and cost
OF the service.
Handled by One Force.
"In this country post Offices 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 tho telegraph
and mail business could be handled
readily by the same employees. 1t Is
evident that the separate nainten-
ance Of the two services under pres
ent conditions results in a needless
expense.
Once Controlled by Government.
'The first telegraph in the United
States was operated from 1914 to
1S47 by the government, under au-
authority from Congress and from
many viewpoints it Is desirable that
gov vornment control should be resum-
ed. A method for the acquisition Of
telegraph lines is prescribed in Sec
ton 5267 Of the Revised Statutes,
which provides that for postal, mill
tary or other purposes the govern
ment may purchase telegraph lines,
operated in the I'm. ted States, at an
appraised value.
Same Reasons Apply.
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 communicable. 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 great
er facilities at lower rates than are
afforded by companies now conduct
Ing the telegraph business. Next to
the Introduction of general parcels
post, for which there Is a strong,
popular demand the establishment
Of government telegraph system Of
fers, in my Judgment, the best op-
portunity for the profitable extension
of the nations postal esrvice."
Not Telephone Lines.
1t Is not Mr.. Hitchcock's purpose
to recommend the acquisition Of tele-
phone lines, except. possibly, in in
stances where they are operated as
telegraph lines and are an intepral