The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-18
He Recommends Acqui-
sition of Telegraph and
Telephone Lines.
POSTAL SERVICE
SELF SUPPORTING
Successful Operation of Parcel
Post Demonstrates Capacity to
Conduct Public Utilities-Ac-
tual Surplus for First
Time Since 1883-Com-
nlends Merit System.

Washington. December IA sweep
ing declaration in favor OF tho prin-
ciple OF government ownership Of tclc-
phone and telegraph lines and an as
scrtion that the postal service now is
supporting for the time since 1883.
are features of the annual report Of
Postmaster General Burclson, trans
mittcd to-day to Congress.
Concerning the acquisition of tele-
phone and telegraph lines. Postmaster
General Burleson says that the govern
ment has demonstrated It's capacity to
conduct public utilities, and from his
present information, he is inclined
clearly TO the taking over by the Post
Office Department OF tho telegraph
lines. and. possibly. also Of the tele-
phone lines. Discussing that, the Post
mastcr-General says:
"A study of the constitutional pur-
poses of tho postal establishment leads
to the conviction that tho Post Office
Department should have control over
all means Of the communication of in
tcliigencc The first telegraph line in
this country was maintained and opcr-
ated ts a part OF the postal service. and
1t is 10 be regretted that Congress saw
lit to relinquish this facility TO private
enterprise. The monopoiistic nature OF
the telegraph business makes it OF
vital Importance to the people that it
this can be accomplished only through
government ownership.
Evidences of Policy.
The act OF July "a. 1866, providing
for the government acquisition OF the
telegraph lines upon payment OF an
appraised valuation and tine act of 1902
directing the Postmaster-G ITO
report to Congress the probable cost
Of connecting a telegraph and tele-
phone system with the postal service
by some feasible plan, are evidences
OF the policy OF this government ul-
electrical means OF communication as
postal facilities. as is done by all the
principal nations. the United States
alone excepted
The successful operation of the par
eel post has demonstrated the capacity
OF the government to conduct the pub
lie utilities, which fall properly with
in the postal provision of the Consti-
tuition.
Every argument in favor of tho
government ownership of telegraph
lines may be advanced with equal logic
and force in favor OF the government
ownership of telephone lines 1t has
been competcntly decided that a tele-
phone message and y telegram arc the
same within the meaning of the laws
governing the tclcgrap pin service, and
therefore. it is believed that the statute
enabling the government To acuuirc
upon the payment of an appraised val
uation. the telegraph lines OF the coun-
try viii enable the government to ac-
qulrc the tclephonic network OF the
country While ii is true that the tclc-
phone companies have not complied
with the requirements of Section 5261.
Revised Statutes. this cannot be held
TO nullfy the intent OF the law, since
the nonusc on the part of the gov
ernment OF any OF its constitutional
r,fsl M cstr Il
right to exercise these privileges when
ever the best interests of the nation
demand.
investigation by Committee.
In june last 4 committee was ap-
pointed TO make an investigation of
this subject, to determine the prelimi-
nary steps necessary for the govern
ment to take toward the acquisition
of the telegraph lines OF the country in
accordance with Section 5267 OF the
Revised Statutes. This committee is
now engaged in preparing it's prclim-
mary report. and if the findings Justify
such action proper recommendation
Will be made by the department at q
later date"
Postmaster General Burleson pre-
sents an elaborate statement OF the
financial operations OF the Post Of
flee Department. including n discussion
of the methods of bookkeeping, which
he has changed.
1T is gratifying To report" saws he.
that the total expenses OF maintain
ing the postal service for the fiscal
year ended June 30. 1918. is found to
be exceeded by the revenues for the
same period: that there is an actual
surplus OF S3.s4i. .906.7S. and that the
postal service is now for the first time
since 1888 sclf-supporting."
F'innncini Policy.
AS to his general financial policy
Post mn i,u,'lcsou
The dominant policy OF the present
administration Will be to conduct the
postal service for the convenience of
the public and not for profit Its con
trolling purpose will he to promote ef-
ficiency by the complete standardiza-
ton OF tho service. which will be at
tanned by harmoni2ing equipment, adj
justing the personnel and securing the
greatest possible operation in every
quarter.
The prime consideration In perfect
ing the personnel OF the postal service
shall be TO recognize efficiency and to
eliminate partisanship. In the cxtcn-
sion Of service and in the imposition
OF charges the government must be
guided not by the consideration OF
profit but by the needs OF tho people,
who have right to expect the most
efficient postal service administered I'm
the most economical manner possible.
and made available To them at rates
involving for the service as n whole.
no element OF taxation The service
should be extended, with duo regard
for the exigcncics OF public revenue.
wherever Its benefits, commercial and
sociai. warrant the expenditure neccs-
Continued On Fifth Pagc)
ROUND TRIP CHRISTMAS TICKETS