The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-18
Postmaster General Burleson
in His Annual Report
Recommends Government Tele-
graphs and Telephones.
IT IS AN ESTABLISHED POLICY
He Says q Committee Is Work.
ing to That End.
Growth of the Parcel Post Has
Been PrOdfgiOus.


Washington, Dec. ia sweeping
declaration in favor Of government
ownership of telephone and telegraph
lines and an assertion that the postal
service now is self-supporting for the
first time since 1888, are features of
the annual report of Postmaster Gen.
oral Burleson to congress.
Concerning the acquisition of tele-
phone and telegraph lines, Postmas-
ter General Burleson says that the
government has demonstrated it's ca
pacity to conduct public utilities, and.
inclined clearly to the taking over by
the postoffice department of the tele-
graph 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 post
office department should have control
over all means of the communication
of intelligence. The first telegraph
line in this country was maintained
and operated as a part OF the postal
service, and it is to be regretted that
congress saw fit to relinQuish this IA
cility to private enterprise me
monopolistic nature of the telegraph
business makes it Of vital importance
to the people that it be conducted by
unselfish interests, and this can be
ACCOMPLISHED only through govern
ment ownership.
Policy Established.
"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 iSo1
directing the postmaster general 10
report to congress the prooaoie cost oi
connecting a telegraph and telephone
system with the postal service by some
feasible plan are evidences Of the pol
icy of this government ultimately to
acquire and operate these electrical
means of communication az postai Ia
cilities, as is done by all the prfncipal
nations, the United States alone except
ed. ..s5--'i. .a-s-'A : ssrs - =Ha7- s
The successful operation Of the par
Gel post has demonstrated the capaci-
ty Of the government to conduct the
public utilities which fall properly
within the postal provision Of the con-
stitution.
Every argument in favor of the
government ownership of telegraph
lines may be advanced with equal logic
and force in favor Of the government
ownership tcltpuOnS AnCS. ~ nSaS
been competently decided that tele-
phone message and a telegram are the
same within the meaning of the laws
governing the telegraph service and
therefore it is believed that the statute
enabling the government to acquire.
upon TIE payment of an appraised val
ulation, the telegraph lines Of the coun-
try will enable the government to ac-
quire the telephone network of the
country.
Investigation Is Going On.
''In June last a committee was ap-
pointed to make an investigation Of
this subject, to determine the prelim-
mary 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 its prelim-
mary report, and II the findings JUS
tify such action proper recommenda
at a later date"
The report indicates that the
growth Of the parcel post business
has been phenomenal. "The expert
ence gained in the operation of the
system under the revised rates and
duction of rates and increase Of
weight limit is justified" says the
postmaster general.
Growth Of Parcel Post.
In connection with what is referred to
O. the "prodigious growth of the parcel
post service, particularly. Mr.: Burleson
discusses additional compensation to the
railroads for carrying the mails He says
that data are being secured by the depart
ment which will enable him to lay before
congress at a later date his conclusions
'.as to what will be just and adequate
compensation for all services which me
railroads have rendered or win be called
upon to render the government.
1t is pointed out that the mailings OF
newspapers and periodicals as second
class matter at the one-cent-a-pound rate
and free in the county Of publication.
''for the first time in the history of the
postal service exceeded q billion pounds
during the last fiscal year.
In connection with the transportation of
magazines and other bulky second class
matter by fast freight, instead of by the
regular mail routes, the postmaster gen
eral expresses earnestly the hope That
congress will remove the prohibition
against the extension of this system Of
handling second class matter and enable
the department to apply 1t where found
practicable"