Evening journal., 1913-12-18
WOULD BUY
UP ALL WIRES
burleSOn Declares for Govern
ment Ownership Of
Pole Lines
SAYS MAILS ARE
SELF SUSTAINING

phone ana telegraph lines and an as
sortain that the postal service now
is self-supporting for the first time
since 1885 are features of the annual
report Of posmaster-Gon Burle-
son. transmitted yesterday to Con
grcss. The Postmaster-General goes
farther than Congressman Lewis. who
wants the Government to acqu re only
the telephone lines
Concerning the acquisition of te'e-
phone and telegraph l'no Postmas-
ter-General Burleson says the Govern
mcnt has demonstrated it's capacity 10
conduct public utilities. and from his
present information nc is inclined
clearly 10 the taking over by the Post
office Department Of the telegraph
lines and possibly also of tho teie-
phone lines Discussing that the Post
master-Goneral says,
A study of the constitutional pur
poses Of the postal establishment
leads to the conviction that the Post
office Department should have con-
troi over all means of the communi-
cation of intelligence. The first tele-
graph line in this country was main
tanned and operated as a part of the
postal service and it is to be regret
ted that Congress saw tit to relinquish
this facility to private enterprise The
monopolistic nature of the telegraph
business makes il of vital importance
to the people that It be conducted by
unselfish interests and this can be ac-
complished only through Governm snt
ownership.
Law Provides for Purchase.
The act of July p, 1866 providing
for the government acquisition OF the
telegraph lines upon payment Of an ap-
praised valuation. and the act of 1902
directing the postmaster general To re-
port TO Congress the probable cost of
connecting telegraph and telephone
system with the postal service by some
y feasible plan. are evidences of the
policy of this government ultimately
to acquire and operate these electrical
means of communication as postal facli-
ties. as is done by all the principal ma
tions. the United States alone excepted
"flc successful operation of the parcel
post has demonstrated the capacity OF
the government to conduct the public
utilities which iai properly within the
postal provision of the Constitution.
"Everv argument Ia favor Of the gov
eminent ownership at telegraph lines
may ne advanced with equal logic anl
force IN favor of the government owner
shin of telephone lines. II has been cont
petentlv decided that telephone mes
sage and telegram are the same within
the meaning Of The laws governing the
telegraph service and, therefore, II is be-
lie,cd that the statute enabling the
government 10 acquire upon the pay ment
oi IN appraised valuation the telegraph
Zines alsthq eoantry s'siii .onshles ih''.eo
einment 10 acquire the telephcnic net.
work of the country.
Committee To Report Soon.
In June last committee was ap-
polpted TO make an investigation OF
this subject. to determine the pre-
liminary steps necessary for the Gov
ernment to take toward the acquisi-
ton of the telegraph lines of the
country in accordance with Section
5267. of the Revised Statutes. This
committee is now engaged in prepar-
ing its preliminary report, and if the
findings justify such action proper
recommendation will be made by the
department at "A later date
postmaster-Gencral BurlCson pre-
sents an elaborate statement of the
financial operations OF the Pos,ofHce
Department, including a discussion OF
the methods of bookkeeping, which hI
has changed.
1T is gratifying TO report" says he
that the total expenses of maintain
ing the postal service for the isca
year ended June 30. 1918, is found tC
be exceeded by the revenues for the
same period. that there is an lctua
surplus of S3S41 .9O6.7S. and that ih'
postal service is now for the FIRST time
since 1888 self-supporting"
As to the general financial policy
Postmaster-General Burleson saws:
The dominant policy of the pres
ent Administration viii be to conduc
he postal service for the convent
ance of the public and not for profit
The prime consideration in per
erting the personnel of the posta
service shall be to recognize eficienc.
md to eliminate partisanship. In tn
extension of service and in The i'm
position of charges the Gopernmen
must be guided not by the consider
alton of profit but by the needs of tli
lcople"
LeglslaiiOn Recommended.
Notable recommendations TO Con
gross for tho enactment of additions
legislation TO facilitate and extend I'll
~b'i ctiohe vi tue lOoldi ttINi itt dl
made. Among the more important ar
tho following.
That the Postoffice Department d
given exclusive jurisdiction over th
selection Of sites for public building
70 be used wholly for postohice pun
poscs and joint authority with Ia
Secretary of the Treasury in th
selection of sites for Federal building
o be used wholly or jointly by IN
postal and other branches Of al
Government service.
ITO amend existing law IN orde
% allow $4,000 indemnity for accident;
death Of any officer or cmploye o m
postal service or for death within or
year as the result of injuries sustain
cd I'm the service in tho line of dur
Provision is also made for leave wit
full nay for q period Of ono year fs
Injuries sustained in the line Of dut
and then half pay for not exceodiu
enc year additional. This IS an in
rortan' recommendation for the rel
ron that the existing law applies oul
10 railway postal clerks. sca-po
clerks and rostofice inspectors~
"Tho elimination OF surety bout
now required Of postal officers az
employees and the substitution OF
ruarauiv fund established and mali
faincd H. assessments prescribed /
.l,o poct NJ zter-Cenoral