The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-11-28
FOR GOVERNMENT
TELECRA ApH LINES
Public Ownership Aimed at In
Lewis Bills.
PART OF POSTAL SERVICE.

Maryland Representative Has Been
Gathering Data on Telegraph and
ures-Has Conferred With President
and Postmaste General.
Governor ownership of telegraph and
telephone lines is to be proposed in
bills Representative David ]. Lewis of
Maryland is drafting now for intro
duction in the house, probably within
month. according to dispatches from
Washington.
Though the measures, which would
have these public utilities taken over
as part of the postal service. have
not been made an administration poll
cy, the president is known to have dis
cussed the idea with Representative
Lewis and others interested in the
project.
Mr.. Lewis has collected a mass Of
data on the subject of telephone and
telegraph operation and has prepared
estimates as to their cost to the gov
ernment, their availability as a source
of revenue and cost of maintenance
and also has worked out 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 to Press Bills.
When the Maryland congressman re-
viewed his plans with the president
the latter, it is reported, evinced con-
siderable interest, but it is known that
consideration of the matter had not ad-
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 n! 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 official announcement from
the postoffice department Mr.. Hitch
cock said:
"Postoffices are maintained in nu-
merous places not reached by tele-
graph systems, and the proposed con-
solidation would, therefore, afford a
favorable 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. The separate maintenance of
the two services under present condi-
tions results in needless expense" He
added that, in his opinion, government
ownership would mean reduced tele-
graph rates.
Autnoftty Onuer SonStItutions
That the federal government has au-
thority under the constitution to mo-
nopolize the telegraph, telephone and
express business has never been ques-
toned. Between 1874 and 1947 the
government did operate the telegraph
systems of the country.
e. T. Chamberlain, United States
commissioner of navigation, more than
year ago recommended that the gov
ernment 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 first 1t came as
surprise, but now it has many ad
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.
1t is likely that any legislation that is
enacted will provide for their gradual
acquisition rather than purchase out