Evening star., 1912-01-15
President Not Committed to
Government Ownership OF
Telegraph Lines.
PROPOSED A YEAR AGO
BY POSTMASTER GENERAL
Mr.. Hitchcock Called to White
House for q Conference.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT MADE
Speculation as to Break in the Ad-
ministration Is Discredited.
Project Arouses Interest
on Capitol Hill.

on Capitol Hill.
mendations. in his annual report, for
government ownership of telegraph lines
are his own individual views. and not
those of President Taft and the admins
.tration.
The White House this afternoon issued
the following statement:
The recommendation by the Postmas-
ter General that II would be we'll for the
government to buy telegraph lines and
incorporate them in the post office sys-
tenn appeared in an earlier annual re-
port submitted by him to President
Taft
After some discussion 1t was decided
at the suggestion of President Taft, to
postpone reference to the matter to
another year, and not to bring 1t forward
then because of the recommendation OF
many other important changes. including
postal savings banks and parcels posts
Then, IL adopted, 1t would take up al
the energy of the Post ONCE Departmen,
in making the necessary changes.
Called Out Of Town.
The Postmaster General intended to
bring this matter to the attention Of the
President before the publication in ad-
vance Of this part Of his report. After
having made the preparations for pub
lication. he was suddenly called out Of
town without having done so.
His conclusion as to the wisdom OF
taking 0ver the telegraph lines had
been reached only after full investiga-
tion and consideration. AS the report
containing the Recommendation has not
yet been submitted to the President, II
has not been considered by him or by
II to Congtsss as an administration
measure"
VIII Go to Congress.
1t was said that the Postmaster Gen
erafs Recommendation would go to Con-
sress at4urding to schedule to receive
such consideration as the leaders Of the
House and senate saw IT. and without
comment by the President
President Taft is soon to send to Com
gress special message on the subject
of postal affairs. based upon the trans
INITIAL to that body of the report Of the
postal commission, headed BY Associate
Justice Hughes. on the subject of postal
rates on magazines and similar publica-
tions.
Taft Summons Hitchcock.
Mr.. hitchcock was sent for today by
President Taft and the two men con-
ferred for a long time. Mr.. Hitchcock
would not talk on going to the White
House.
There win be no serious friction be-
tween the President and Mr.. Hitchcock,
IL Is declared. and suggestions today that
the Postmaster General might be COM
PEELED to leave the cabinet were not re-
favor.
In spite of apparent misunderstand-
ings between the Presidents political
managers and Mr.. Hitchcock lately
there Is said to be no feeling on the
part of the President against the man
who managed his ca ipaign In 1908. On
the contrary the President has q warm
regard for Mr.. Hitchcock. 50 much so
in fact. that he will be willing to over
look the rather curious fact that upon
20 important q matter as government
telegraph system one Of his cabinet
officers did not confer with him in ad-
vance Of making a recommendation
public.
Latitude for Cabinet.
President Taft. unlike President Roose
Welt. has given great latitude to his cab
sAAtS oAASSiS IA hC0ity 0Ai h0eSCtC 0HoCa
them. but It has been customary with them
in any vital matter. OF administrator
policy to obtain the assent Of the Presi
dent before taking any steps. Presiden
Roosevelt insisted that on any matter oi
public interest he should be consulted be
fore action was taken or public announce
ment made. He exercised rigorous
censorship over his cabinet in matter,
Of this kind. President Taft has severa
times suffered by this lack Of consulta
tion on the part Of cabinet officers.
Not Expected to Break.
II is stated In this connection tina
President Taft did not overlook Mr.
Hitchcock when 1t became apparent thai
lie would be compelled to have som,
one to look after the political side of hi
administration.
Before Secretary Hilles succeeded Sec
retary Norton the President put 1t square
iy up to Mr.. Hitchcock to take charg
Of all the politics. Mr.. Hitchcock as
serted, as he did at the same time /.
many personal friends, that he wanted 4
get out of politics and devote all his tim
TO making the Post Once Department
great business establishment, as FIRE
from political influence as possible. Tn
President then selected Mr. Hilles AM
has given him full charge OF the politica
end OF the White House.
Mr.. Hitchcock remained with Presiden
Taft more than an hour. and on leaving
said the President would give out q state
ment. There was nothing in the attitud
OF Mr.. Hitchcock to indicate that the con
ference had been unsatisfactory. On tn
contrary he was smiling and apparently
pleased with the outcome. At the reques
of the newspaper men. Mr.. Hitchcock re
turned to the executive ohices and aske
the President to hasten the statement 70
the benefit of the reporters.
Chance for Economics.
The statement in which Mr.. Hitch
cock made known his intention was. II
part. as follows:
Among the recommendations Post
master General Hitchcock will submit I,
Congress during the present session Il
one that the telegraph lines be acquiret
by the government and operated as
. part OF the postal service. He believes
that such a consolidation would resul
in Important economies and permit tn,
adoption OF lower telegraph rates. Pos
oaices are maintained In numerou
CONTINUED on Second Psge).