Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-10-15
For Government
Telegraph Lines

telephone linss IL to be proposed In
bills Representative David J. Lewis OF
Maryland II drafting now for intro
duction In the house, probably within y
month. according to dispatches from
Washington.
Though the measures, which would
have these public utilities taken over
as a part Of the postal service. have
not been made an administration poll
CT, the president is known to have dis
cussed the idea with Representative
Lewis and others interested In the
project.
Mr.. Lewis has collected mass Of
data on the subject OF telephone and
telegraph operation and hes prepared
estimates as to their cost to the gov
eminent. their availability as a source
Of revenue and cost Of maintenance.
ana also has worked out a tentative
plan for their requirement and opera
ton as government public utilities
Besides laying his plans before Pres
ident Wilson. Representative Lewis
has consulted frequently concerning
them with Postmaster General Burle-
son.
Intends 20 Press Bills.
When the Maryland congressman re-
viewed his plans with the president
the latter, 1t is reported. evinced con-
siderable interest. but it Is known that
consideration of the matter had not adj
vanced sufficiently for the project to be
designated as an administration plan.
Representative Lewis. however. pro-
poses to press the projected legislation
vigorously. and already he has procur-
ed the Endorsement OF the proposal BY
many members of congress-
In advocating the government pur-
chase Of telegraph lines Mr.. Lewis Is
emulating Frank a. Hitchcock. who
was postmaster general in the Taft
cabinet. In January. 1912. Mr.. Hitch
cock publicly announced that he was
in favor Of this step and that he
would recommend It to congress. Mr..
Taft. however, decided not to indorse
the policy at that time. and Mr.. Hitch
cock did not send the Recommendation
to congress.
In his oflcial announcement from
the postofice department Mr.. Hitch
cock said:
"Postofices are maintained in nu.
merous places not reached by tele-
graph systems, and the proposed con-
solidation would. therefore. afford a
favorablc opportunity for the wide ex-
tension Of telegraph facilities. In
many small towns where the tele-
graph companies have Offices the tele-
graph and mail business could be
readily handled by the same en-
ployees. Tho separate maintenance Of
the two services under present condi-
tons results In needless expense" He
added that, in his opinion. government
ownership would mean reduced tels.
graph rates.
Authority Under Constitution.
That the federal government has au-
thority under the constitution to mo-
nopolize the telegraph. telephone and
express business has never been cues
toned. Between 1874 and lS47 the
government did operate the telegraph
systems Of the country.
q. T. Chamberlain. United States
olnmissioner of navigation. more than
a year ago recommended that the gov
eminent purchase and operate all
wireless stations in the United States
in the interest Of economy and better
regulation.
Sentiment in congress without re-
gard to party lines has been growing
in favor Of the proposal during the last
eighteen months. At flrst 1t came as
surprise, but now It has many adj
vocates not only in the Democratic
party. but especially among the Pro
gressives. Although wary about ex.
pressing their opinions publicly. the
Republicans are also leaning that way.
It 10 likely that any legislation that Is
enacted will provide for their gradual
acquisition rather than purchase out