The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-15
Proposal Government Take Over
Telegraph Lines Causes
Near Sensation
IS SUMMONED TO WHITE HOUSE
Postmaster Generals Plan News
at Executive Mansion
House Chairman on Postoffices Says
He Will Give the Matter
Prompt Attention.

New York. Jan. 1.-THE announce
ment from Washington that Postmas-
Ter General Hitchcock Is about TO rec
ommend the government ownership of
telegraph lines was received with sur
prise by officials of big telegraph and
telephone companies here.
President Vail. of the Western
Union, doubted the governments abili-
~ TO run the telegraph lines with econ
omy. General Manager Nally of the
Postal Telegraph Cable Co. did not be-
lieve Congress would favor Hitch
cocks idea.
No Tilt With Taft.
washington. Jan. l5.--Postmaster
General Hitchcock. who last night
gave out a statement he would rec
ommend to Congress government own
ership and operation of telegraph
lines. was summoned to the White
House by President Taft this morning.
Hitchcock held conference with
Taft for more than an hour and an
authoritative statement was made that
there is no friction between the presi-
dent and the postmaster general over
the latter's proposed recommendation
that the government operate the tele-
graph lines as an adjunct of the post
al system.
IIitchcocks statement was news to
the White House, and is said to have
A.. >rto "a In
far the matter has not progressed be-
yond the postmaster generals dectra- :
tion he would make such recommen-
dation 70 Congress. with the state
ment by him giving his reasons for
the proposed acquisition of telegraph
lines.
Senator Smith Favers Plan.
In the House Rep. Moon, chairman
OF the posioffioe committee. announced
the matter will be given earnest at
tention. Bourne. chairman Of the Sen
ate committees ON postofflces. while in
terested reserved comment until after
he had had time to read the details of
HitchcoclS's plan.
Senator Cullom of Illinois. head of
the foreign relations committee. align
ed himself with the plan.
con the theory that the telegraph Is
part Of the mails" he said. 1T seems
90 me Il would not be out OF place
for the government to own the tele-
graph lines"
Senator William Alden Smith OF
Michigan. sees nothing inconsistent In
government operation of the telegraph
as an appurtenance of the postal sys-
TEN
There Is a disposition among somo
Of the senator's today TO credit the re-
port that Hltchcock's action might
mean a break between him and Taft.
and an alignment of Hitchcock with
those urging the candidacy of Roose-
welt for the Republican nomination..
Would Lower the Rates.
Should my recommendation be
adopted" said Mr.. Hitci ock last night
in a statement Of his In ntions. II am
convinced II would result in important
economies and in very materially lower
telegraph rates than are now exacted.
In approximately fifty countries OF the
world--notably I'm Great Britain,
France. Germany, Austria. Italy. Spain.
Russia and Japan-government con-
trolled telegraphs now are i'm success
f1ll and profitable operation. In many of
the countries they are operated in con-
nection with the postal service. These
latiOn of 950.000.000. and in every In
stance they have been found TO be OF
immense practical benefit to the peo-
pie. in both promptitude and cost OF
the service
In this country postoffices are
maintained In numerous places not
reached by the telegraph system, and
the proposed consolidation. therefore.
would afford a favorable opportunity
Tor the wide extension of telegraphic
facilities. In many small towns where
the telegraph companies have Offices.
the telegraph and mail business could
De handled readily by the same en-
ployes. II is evident that the separate
maintenance of the two services under
present conditions results In needless
expense.
Law Already Gives Authority.
The first telegraph In the United
states was operated from .isit to 1S47
oy the government. under authority
from Congress, and from many view
points ID In desirable that government
control should be resumed. A method
Tor the acquisition OF telegraph lines
prescribed In Section 5.2e7 Of the
Nevised Statutes. which provides that
Tor postal. military or other purposes
'he government may purchase tele-
sraph lines operated In the United
states, at an appraised value.
MY own view is that every reason
Tor the transmission Of mail under
government control can be urged with
e"'ai forces for the transmission OF