New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-18
Fayors Government Taking
Over All Telegraph and
Telephone Lines.
REPORTS 100000
POSTAL SURPLUS
Parcel Post a Phenomenal Sue.
cess, He Says-"Further Rate
Reduction Justified.

Washington, Dec IA declaration IN
favor of the principle of government
ownership of telephone and telegraph
lines and an assertion that the postai
service now is self-supporting for the hrSt
time since 1883 are features OF the amman
report of Postmaster General Burleson'
transmitted to-day to Congress.
Concerning the acquisition of the teIe-
phone and telegraph lines, Postmaster
General Burleson says that the govern
ment has demonstrated its capacity 10
conduct public utilities, and. from MS
present information, he is inclined clearly
10 the taking over by the Postoffice De-
partment of the telegraph lines and, pos
sibly. also. of the telephone lines. Inc
Postmaster General says:
"A study of the constitutional purposes
of the postal establishment leads TO the
conviction that the POstoffice Department
should have control over all means OF
communication Of intelligence. The hrst
telegraph line in this country was main
tanned and operated as part OF the
postal service. and it is to be regretted
facility to private enterprise Tue
monopolistic nature of the telegraph busi-
ness makes it of vital importance TO the
people that il be conducted by unselhsh
interests. and this can be accomplished
only through government ownership.
THE act of July "a. 1866, providing
for the government acquisition OF the
telegraph lines upon payment of an APP
praised valuation, and the act IF l9oZ'
directing the Postmaster General TO re-
port to Congress the probable cost OF
connecting a telegraph and telephone
system with the postal service By some
feasible plan are evidences of the pohcy
of this government ultimately TO &C
auire and operate these electrical means
of communication as postal facilities. as
is done by all the principal nations, the
United States alone excepted
U. S. Able to Conduct Utilities.
"The successful operation of the par
eel post has demonstrated the capacity
of the government to conduct the public
utilities which fail properly within the
postal provisions of the Constitution.
Every argument in favor of the gov
eminent ownership of telegraph lines
may be advanced with equal logic and
force in favor of the government own
ership of telephone lines. 1t has been
competently decided that telephone
message and a telegram are the same
within the meaning of the laws govern
ing the Geographic service. and there
fore It IS believed that the statute en-
aiding the government 10 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"
Postmaster General Burleson presents
an elaborate statement of the financial
operations of the Postoffice Department.
1T is gratifying TO report" he says.
that the total expenses OF maintaining
the postal service for the fiscal year
ended June 90, 1913, is found to be eX-
ceeded by the revenues for the same
period; that there is an actual surplus
of 1854, 900 rs. and that the postal ser
vice is now for the first time since 1883
self-supporting
Among the recommendations to Con-
gress for additional legislation TO facill-
tate and extend the postal service are:
THAT the Postoffice Department be
given exclusive jurisdiction over the Sc
lection of the sites for public buildings
10 be used wholly for postoffice purposes,
and Joint authority with the Secretary
of the Treasury in the selection of sites