The Detroit times., 1912-01-15
HITCHCOCK CALLED
ON CARPET BY TAFT
Continued from page oneJ.

Big Business. he declared, Il have
prepared a bill for the national owner
ship OF the telegraph. telephones. ex-
press companies, railroads and coal
mines"
Both in the departments and AT the
capitol. Hitchcock's recommendation
was the subject OF discussion.
When Hitchcock left the White
House. after an hour and a half confer
ence he declined 10 discuss his recon-
mendations.
The president Is a better talker
than | am. so guess | had better not
tell you about It, he declared smil-
ingly. Il expect him 10 issue a state
ment this afternoon. cant discuss
the matter further
For year or more Mr.. Hitchcock
has had this recommendation under
consideration. After thorough study
OF the operation OF government-con-
trolled government lines and postal
telegraph systems of foreign coun-
tries, he has decided to urge the mat
ter on congress.
Should this recommendation be
adopted" said Mr.. Hitchcock last
night, In a statement of his intention,
Il am convinced IL would result In
important economies and in very ma
terlally lower telegraph rates than
now are exacted. In approximately
80 countries, OF the world-notably In
Great Britain, France, Germany, Aus
tria, Italy, Spain, Russia and Japan
government-controlle telegraphs now
are In successful and profitable oper-
alton. In many OF the countries they
are operated In connection with | the
postal service. These telegraphs serve
an aggregate population OF 95O,0OO,OOO
and In every instance they have been
found 10 be OF immense practical
benefit to the people, in both prompt
tude and cost OF the service.
in this country postoflces are
maintained in numerous places not
reached by the telegraph systems and
the proposed consolidation, therefore,
would afford favorable opportunity
for the wide extension OF telegraphic
facilities. In many small towns where
the telegraph companies have offices
the telegraph and mail business could
be handled readily by the same EN-
ployes. II is evident that the sep
arate maintenance of the two SER
vices under present conditions results
in a needless expense
"The first telegraph in the United
States was operated from 1914 to l847
by the government. under authority
from congress and from many view
points It Is desirable that government
control should be resumed. A method
for the acquisition OF telegraph lines
is prescribed in section 5267 OF the re-
vised statutes. which provides. that,
for postal. military or other purposes
the government may purchase tele-
graph 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 or
communications by telegraph. Be-
cause of the more extensive organ
Izatlon maintained by the postal
service and the freedom from taxa
ton and other charges TO which pri-
vate corporations are subjected. the
government undoubtedly could AFFORD
greater facilities at lower rates, than
are afforded by companies now con-
Quoting the telegraph business. Next
TO the introduction OF q general par
cells post. for which there is strong,
popular demand, the establishment OF
a government telegraph system offers.
in my judgment, the best opportunity
for the profitable extension OF the ma
tons postal service"
II Is not Mr.. Hitchcock's purpose TO
the acquisition OF tele-
phone lines, except. possibly, In In
stances where they are operated as
telegraph lines and are an integral
part OF definite telegraph systems.
The latest census figures available !
indicate that about 100000 people are
connected with the telegraph COM
panies OF the United States. The APP
praised value OF the systems pro-
posed TO be acquired would be purely
conjectural, but IL IL said II would
approximate s25O,0O0, 900. The experts
who have figured on the proposition
are OF opinion that existing telegraph
rates could be reduced at least one
third 10 the public and yet make the
investment In, and operation OF. tho
lines profitable TO the government