The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-12-18
UNITED STATES HAS
PROVEN IT'S ABILITY
Regrets That Government
Ever Let the Control
Slip Away

and telegraph lines and an assertion that
the postal service now is self supporting
for the first time since 1883, are features
of the annual report of Postmaster Gen
eral Burleson, transmitted late yester
day to Congress.
Concerning the acquisition Of tele-
phone. and telegraph lines, Postmaster
General Burleson says that the govern.
ment has demonstrated its capacity to
conduct public utilities, and, from his
present information, he is inclined clear
| " to the taking over by the postoffice
department of the telegraph lines and,
possibly, also, of the telephone lines.
Discussing that the postmaster general
says:
"a study of the constitutional pur-
poses of the postal establishment leads
to the conviction that the postoffice de-
partment should have control over all
means of the communication OF intelli-
gence. The first telegraph line in this
country was maintained and operated
as part of the postal service, and it is
to be regretted that Congress saw fit
to relinquish this facility to private en-
terprise. The monopolistic nature of the
telegraph nature makes il of vital inn
portance to the people that 1t be con-
Quoted by unselfsh interests, and this
can be accomplished only through gov
eminent ownership.
"The act of July "a, 1866, providing
for the government acquisition of the
telegraph lines upon payment of an
appraised valuation and the act of 1902
directing the postmaster general TO re-
port to Congress the probable cost of
connecting a telegraph and telephone
system with the postal service by some
feasible plan are evidences OF the policy
of this government ultimately to ac-
|quire and operate these electrical means
of communication as postal facilities, a.
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 within
the postal provision of the constitution
Every argument in favor of the gov
eminent ownership of telegraph lines
may be advanced with equal logic and
force in favor of the government owner
ship of telephone lines. 1t has been COM
petently decided that a telephone mes
sage and telegram are the same with
in the meaning Of the laws governing
the telegraph service and therefore it
is believed that the statute enabling the
government to acquire, upon the pay
ment of an appraised valuation, the tele
graph lines of the country will enable
the government TO acquire the telephon-
ic network of the country. While il is
true that the telephone companies have
not complied with the requirements of
section 5267, revised statutes, this can
not be held TO nullify the intent of the
law, since the non-use on the part of
the government of any of its constitu-
tional privileges in no wise surrenders
the right to exercise these privileges
whenever the best interests of the ma
tion demand.
"In June last, committee was APP
pointed to make an investigation of this
subject, to determine the preliminary
steps necessary for the government to
take toward the acquisition of the tele-
graph lines of the country in accordance !
with section 5267 of the revised statutes. |
This committee is now engaged in pre-
pairing its preliminary report, and if the |
findings justify such action, proper rec
will be made by the de- |
partment at a later date"
Surplus in P. 0. Department.
Postmaster General Burleson presents
LII g. 81. e n n
operations of the postoffice department,
a discussion of the methods
Of bookkeeping, which he has changed.
at is gratifying to report" says he,
that the total expenses of maintaining
the postal service for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1913, is found to be ex-
,eeded by the revenues for the same pc
Rod; that there is an actual surplus of
e, s4l ,906.7s; and that the postal service
IS now for the first time since 1888 self
Not Conducted for Profit
As to his general financial policy Post
master General Burleson says:
"The dominant policy of the present
administration will be to conduct the
postal service for the convenience of
he public and not for profit. Its con-
rolling purpose will be to promote elf
,iency by the complete Standardization
II the service, which will be attained
,y harmonizing equipment, adjusting ]
he personnel, and securing the greatest
possible cooperation in every quarter.
"The prime consideration in perfecting =
he personnel of the postal service shall
,e to recognize efficiency, and to elm
nate partisanship. In the extension OF
ervice and in the imposition of charges
he government must be guided not by
he consideration of profit but by the
leeds of the people, who have right to
xpect the most efficient postal service
administered in the most economical
manner possible, and made available to !
hem at rates involving for the service
s whole, no element of taxation. The
ervice should be extended, with due re-
ard for the exigencies of public rev.
nue., wherever its benefits, commercial
nd social, warrant the expenditure nee .
ssary, irrespective of whether or not
he revenue from each extension will de-
raw the cost thereofs