Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-11-04
MAN WHO MADE PARCEL POST
POSSIBLE TO PUSH An
OTHER REFORM.
WANTS GOVERNMENT CONTROL
OF PHONES AND TELEGRAPH
Known to Have Backing Of Postmaster
General in Undertaking, and May b
Aided by Entire Administration-At-
tituds Of Congress on Question Un-
dsrsoins Radical Change.
Especial Correspondence

Washington. Nov. 4-Congressman
David j. Lewis, of Maryland. u still at
work on the problem Of government
ownership of the telegraph and tele-
phone lines. Mr.. Lewis has been de-
layed to some extent by the fact he
has had to 60 out and make speeches
in the Maryland campaign. However.
he has been engaged Tor months on a
study of the reasons for and against
government ownership Of the tele-
graph and telephone systems and be-
lieves he has about dug to the bottom
In a short time. either late In the
special session or early in the regular
session, Mr.. Lewis will make speech
in the house In which he viii set forth
such facts as he can muster and will
give his conclusions.
Mr.. Lewis, it is known. will come out
In favor Of government ownership. Just
the exact road he viii take Is not yet
known and he Is not yet ready TO say.
He will probably outline bill OF the
sort he thinks should be followed but
is expected to leave its Introduction to
Chairman Noon, Of the house postof-
fees committee.
Has AID OF 6ufIeSon.
The administration Is not yet COM
nitted, at least publicly. to govern
ment ownership Of telegraphs and tele-
phones. But Postmaster General Burl-
eson is WE'LL known to lean in that
direction.
Whether the administration gets
behind the plan Of Mr.. Lewis or not.
there is no doubt that sentiment In
Congress for government ownership
Of the telepragh and telephone busi-
ness is growing. The result Of Mr..
Lewis speech is expected to be to stir
up a great deal Of discussion in and
out Of Congress. One plan which It
is considered not unlikely Mr.. Lewis
will advocate is to have tho govern
ment take over the telephone lines. uti-
lizing the cables and wires for tele.
pragh purposes as we'll This would
make It unnecessary to take over lot
of telegraph property.
Pushes Parcel Post.
The fact that Mr.. Lewis was 70 q
large extent responsible for putting
over" the parcel post lends especial
interest to his studies Of the govern
ment ownership Of telephones and
telegraphs. It Is considered q GER
tainty, now that he has gone into the
problem, and is understood to be con-
WINGED government ownership II desir-
able, it will not be allowed to sleep.
Moreover. Congress has much dif-
ferent attitude toward the whole sub
ject Of government ownership than It
did FIVE or ten years ago. Talk about
It used to be laughed at That 10 80 no
longer and the disposition in House
and Senate is to consider II seriously.
The fact that ut the gathering of state
railway commissioners here In the last
few days government ownership Of the
railroads was seriously talked Of and
on the basis Of actual figures Of what
could be saved IL indicative Of the
ownership can on Longer be lightly dis.
missed and that Il 10 looming up more
and more 20 an Issue which may at
any time break into national poll.
teal campaign.