The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21
PLAN
OF GREAT BENEFIT
TO INDEPENDENTS
Right to Use Bell Lines
in Every Part of
Union.
UNUSUAL BUZZ
OF SPECULATION
Agreement in Some Quarters Re.
garded as Indication of Fight
Against Government Owner
ship-Mr. Burleson May
Not Press Recommends
tons at This Time.

Washington. December 2o.-Attor-
ney-General McReynolds told friends
to-day that scores OF independent tele-
phone companies in the United States
arc gratifed with the dissolution
agreement OF the so called telephone
trust. which will give independents
the use OF thousands of miles of trunk
lines operated by the Bell Company
Tho department, he said. hardly
could have expected any court to order
the Bell Company to allow indcpen-
dents to make use OF Bell cQuipments
ana there practically was no chance
that the Independents could raise sufti-
cient funds. If they had the desire, to
puiid competing long distance lines.
According TO figures laid before the
Attorney General by n. c. kingsbury.
Vice-president OF the American Tele-
/ phone and Telegraph Company. who
conducted the negotiations which led
10 the agreement of last night. there
are more than 10000 independent tele-
phone companies In the country. The
new agreement. 1t is declared, means
mat every one of these companies has
the right to make use of the Bell lines
In every part of the Union.
There was talk to-day at the De-
partment OF Justice of action by the
independent companies in cities to talk
to Bell subscribers through Bell ex-
changes and Bell lines but Mr.. Nc
reynolds said this was step that
seemed to be far in the future
Independents Well Satisfied.
So far rs he knew the independent
companies were we'll satisfied with the
American Telephone and Telegraph
proposal
Announcement OF the agreement
caused an UNUSUAL buzz OF speculation
! regarded as an indication of the fight
mat some OF the conservative members
OF President Wilson's Cabinet will make
against governments ownership of pub
nc utilities. II is known that MI Nc
teymolds is strongly opposed to gov
General is said to feel that government
ownership is likely to come in the
United States unless there can be "a
restoration OF free competition in pub
! Tic service. but he believes the agree
ment with the American Telephone and
Telegraph Company is a long step to-
ward return TO competition in the
ltlephonc and telegraph held. In his
"pimt;1n The Sherman law is a suiH-
ciehtiS strong weapon force any
monopoly TO come TO terms. and he is
convinced that clear demonstration
Irowing sentiment for government
All Data in Hand.
IoStmaSter- General Burtcson il be--
Game known to-day. now has before
him all data collected and put in CON
crete form respecting the proposed gov
.fnment acquisition OF telegraph and
telephone lines, but 1t is understood
that it IS not his present purpose to
submit the findings OF his eXperts to
Congress unless they are desired
In the summary of Mr.. Burleson's an
under the caption. Postal Telegraph
and Telephones" appeared this para
graph;
pointed TO make an investigation OF
th!S subject TO determine the prelimi-
nary Steps s, necessary for che, govern.
telegraph lines in the country, in ac-
E ,; with section 5267 of the re-
Niseo statutes. This committee is now
engaged i'll preparing its preliminary
report and if tho findings Justify such
action. proper recommendation Will he
date"
As the report finally was issued In
tuted:
since June last the department has
ton TO determine the desirability and
iract'cnbllity OF extending the govern
oi communicable with Il view to the
acquisition by the government OF tho
telegraph and tcleph one facilities TO be
operated as an adjunct to the postal
service.
The Postmaster-Genera is now en-
gagged in reviewing the data collected
and later, II desired, viii submit sama
To the appropriate committee OF Con-
gfess for their considerations"
Change at Last Moment.
The change of the paragraph was
made at the last moment Tie data
meantime having been submitted to
lhe rostmas , General in The form OF
10y Mi Burleson, ii is understood,
without further expression upon his
part
II was an opinion quito generally
shared today that other big corpora
lions are apt to follow with agree
mchtS similar 10 that OF the American
telephone and Telegraph Company.
Among those who already have sought
To settle their involved affairs out OF
court is the New York. New Haven and
hartford Railroad Company
The departments attitude toward
the American Telephone and Telegraph
Company is not to be taken, 1t is as
serted. as an indication that il does
not intend to make use OF suits in
10 call into play the criminal features
OF mat statute. in cases OF conspiracy
IN restraint Of trade where the real
Offenders can be reached.
No Surprise TO Finnncinf Men.
New York, December 20.---Informa-
ton from Washingto" that the Amer
ican Telephone and Telegraph Company
had agreed 10 give UP it's interests in
tho Western Union Telegraph COM
pany and to effect reorganization to
conform with the recommendations OF
the Federal authorities was no sur
prise TO financial men, though unex-
pccted at this time.
The telegraph and telephone COM
hination has been under almost con-
tinuous attack since it was effected in
1909. through the purchase OF the largo
| Gould. Sage and Morosiii holdings OF
| Western Union stock by the telephone
and telegraph company. in which tho