Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-01-27
WIRE COMPANIES
MAKE EXCESSIVE
CHARGES
California Congressman Sup
ports Hitchcock's Theory;
No Reason Why Govern
ment Should Be Preferred
Patron.

Washington. y. C., Jan 27-COn.
gresham stephens of california is
a strong advocate OF the government
ownership Of telegraph lines BE ia
therefore Ina hearty accord with Post.
muster General Hltehcoek's recent
sensational recommendation that the
posioffice department absorb the pri-
vately owned tclcsraph lines of the
country and thus establish govern
mcnt operation OF both postal and
telegraph services.
Many Republican members Of con-
grcss appear reluctau, 60 express
themselves on the question. Fearing
90 offend President TAFT. who has in
dictated determined opposition go
the recommendation Of his cabinet Of
ficial. stephens. however. cntcrtains
no such faar OF the executive author
IT'S and ne has declared hts support
81 government ownership Iva very
emphatic terms.
Congressman stephens regards the
telegraph lines as furnishing the very
best example Of eXorhltant rates rec
sulting from practical monopoly.
The profits upon money actually IN
vested can only he spoculated upon,
but that Il reaches an almost alarm
ing figure is the heller OF those who
have investigated the business OF the
telegraph companies.
The California member points on
that the Western Union Telegraph
company charges tie federal govern
mcnt for its business from Pacific
coast points 10 Washington ana other
! Atlantic coast points cents a word la
daytime and l cent q word at night.
AZ that rate, no one will contend that
the telegraph lines are carrying on
government business at q loss.
Nevertheless, the telegraph COM
panies charge the public cents "a
word, night or day. True for deferred
service. or night letter, there is a
rate of 81 for a letter OF 90 words.
but for the straight, direct service the
rate IL Z cents word
The question very appropriately
arises, why this distinction? why
does the company charge the public
cents word for service that Il
furnishes 10 the government for 1
cent?
The answer declares Mr.. stephens.
~ apparent. The companies fear gov
crnmont operation os lines tor gov
eminent business, which would incv-
itaby result In government operation
of lines for the general public as we'll
az government business. II the conn
| pauipa eNnetnd tho heavy tolla from
the government that ii requires OF the
public the government would he
forced to construct lts own lines. ~
is this phase at the situation that
.s.Hf I'd .U.N ID
service 10 the government al reason
able rates
There is no good reason says Com
gresham stephens. why a govern
ment message from LOs Angeles Oh
/ Washington or Atlantic points OF zoe
words should cost 81, while com
merolal message Of 100 words costs
s7.
Under government operation OF
| both Tho postal and telegraph sys-
toms great economies would be posi-.
0le ana as "a natural result the public
would be able 10 enjoy teiegraphiG
communication az reasonable rates
as Congressman stephens points out
telegraph tolls in European countries
where government ownership Is IN
vogue are SO low rs To- challenge seri'
GUS consideration OF the plan Of gov
ornment operation here.
Notable success has been achieved
hy the British government. SO salts
factory has been the government OPP
Grafton there tnat there Is a stronl
movement 60 have the government
take over the telephone lines as wcll
An Of which demonstrates that ia,
project Is not onh sound IN theory
but Is sustained by actual eXperienc,
Of other countries.
That the proposition win aroHs'
violent opposition, especially in the
United States senate Is predicted Al
ready President Tana attitude is be-
ing seized upon Bog the opponents of
government ownership to foster sen
timcnt against unclo SANS moddlinl
with telegraphic matters.
A strong factor 300 the senate in
lsupport of the project viii be- senator
LnFolotte, should IL be decided W
Introduce "a bill at this session IL is
prohRhtn that the Wisconsin senator
viii be selected as Ifs sponsor.