The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-18


eel post has demonstrated the capac-
| ity 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 adanced with equal logic
and force in favor of the government
ownership of telephone lines. 1t has
been competently decided that a 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 stat
ute enabling the government to acquire
upon the payment of an appraised
valuation, the telegraph lines of the
country will enable the government to
acquire the telephone network of the
country. While 1t is true that the tele-
phone companies have not complied
with the requirements of section 5267
revised statutes, this cannot be held
to. nullify the intent of the law. since
the nonuse on the part of the govern
ment of any of Its constitutional privi-
leges in no wise surrenders the right
to exercise these privileges whenever
the best interests of the nation de-
mand.
I'm June, last, a 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 re-
vised statutes. This committee is now
engaged in preparing its preliminary
report, and if the findings justify
such action proper recommendation will
be made by the department at later
date"
Financial Operations
Postmaster General Burleson pre-
sents an elaborate statement of the
financial operations of the postoffice
department., including a discussion OF
the methods of bookkeeping, which he
has changed.
ut Is gratifying to report" says he,
"that the total expenses of maintaining
the postal service. for the fiscal year end
ed June 80, 1918, is found to be exceeded
by the revenues for the same period; that
there is an actual surplus of 1854 ,9O6.7S,
and that the postal service is now for the
first time since 1888 self-supportng."
| AS to his general financial policy, Post
| master General Burleson says:
1.-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 controlling
purpose will be to promote efficiency by
the complete Standardization of the serv-
/ ice, which will be attained by harmonic
! ing equipment, adjusting the personnel,
and securing the greatest possible CO.
operation in every quarter.
1.-The prime consideration in perfecting
| the personnel of the postal service shall
| be to recognize efficiency, and to elimi-
nate partisanship. In the extension of
| service and in the imposition of charges
| the government must be guided not by
the consideration of profit. but by the
needs of the people, who have a right to
expect the most efficient postal service
administered in the most economical man
ner possible, and made available to them
| at rates involving, for the service as q
whole, no element of taxation. The serv-
/ ice should be extended. with due regard
| for the exigencies of public revenue,
wherever it's benefits, commercial and So
cial, warrant the expenditure necessary,
irrespective of whether or not the reve-
nue. from each extension will defray the
cost thereof"
Notable Recommendations
! Notable recommendations to Congress
| for the enactment of additional legisla-
tion to facilitate and extend the opera
| tons of the postal service are made.
Among the more important, are the fol-
lowing:
"That the postoffice department be
given exclusive jurisdiction over the Sc .
4
| to be used wholly for postoffice pur-
poses, and joint authority with the Sec
retary of the Treasury in the selection of
sites for federal buildings to be used
| Jointly by the postal and other branches
| of the government service.
ITO amend existing law IN order to al
| low $1,000 indemnity for accidental death
of any officer or employe of the postal
service or for death within one year as
/ the result of injuries sustained in the
service in the line of duty. Provision is
also made for leave with full pay for a
period of one year for injuries sustained
| in the line of duty and then at half
| pay for not exceeding one year additional
| This is an important recommendation for
the reason that the existing law applies
only to railway postal clerks, sea post
clerks and postoffice inspectors.
1.-THE elimination of surety bonds now
required of postal officers and employees
and the substitution of a guaranty fund
+, established and maintained by assess
ments prescribed by the postmaster gen.
eral
ITO authorize the postmaster general