The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-14
May be COnsummated Dur
ing the Present Wilson
Administration
BURLESON is GOING
INTO THE SUBJECT
All Investigations so Far Are Favor
able to Taking over Telephone
and Telegraph Lines by
the Government
BY c. e. STEWART.

Washington, December 12.-(Special)
That the country will see government
ownership of telephones and telegraph
lines before the Wilson administration
goes down in history seems almost cer-
tain.
Postmaster General Burleson, who re-
CARDS the success of the parcel post as
sured, believes that this first step toward
the government owning and controlling
those public service utilities which from
their nature are monopolistc, will likely
be followed by the buying of the tele-
phone and telegraph lines in the country
by the government The Postmaster Cen
eral has not committed himself absolute
ly to the proposition neither has the
President-but they are inclined to favor
the plan, and an investigation is under
way
The Postmaster General speaks very
guardedly upon the subject He declares,
however, that there seems to be a broad
spread sentiment In the country in favor
of the government taking over the utili-
ties, but he intimates that the problem is
tremendous one, and that he does not
want to jump at conclusions, but prefers
TO wait until the results of the inVestga-
tions now going on abroad and elsewhere
are submitted to him. He admits, how
ever, that everything so far secured is
favorable to government ownership.
THE question is very broad" Mr.. Bur-
Lesson said, t'but there is a widespread
feeling that this step is the logical sue
cessor to the parcel post and our i'm
proved postal system The people want
the best and naturally they desire the
speediest methods of communication with
each other. The United States Is the
only nation that does not have control, at
least in part, of these utilities.
Long Talks With Samuels
That the matter has been under consid-
Grafton for some time is evidenced by the
fact that the Postmaster General has had
two long talks on the subject with Her
bert Samuels, the head of the British pos
tai system. When the statement of Rep
resentatiye Madden of Illinois, who de-
clared that England was sorry that she
adopted the system" was shown to the
Postmaster General, he said that the in
formation that he obtained was not in
line with the statement of Mr.. Madden.
Representative David j. Lewis of Mary
land has already prepared a bill which
will, it is understood, be introduced in the
House at an early date, which contem-
plates government ownership of these util-
tiles, but specifically provides for the
purchase of the long distance telephone
lines of the country the first step to-
ward this end. Mr.. Lewis figures that
these lines would cost the government
about $500, 100000.
1t is not believed that the administra-
tion is entirely in accord with Mr.. Lewis
bill, and that If the administration gets
behind movement of this kind at ALL
a bill will be drawn embodying the Pres
ident's ideas and introduced through the
postoffice and postroads committee of the
ct "A a s.
ure. This may happen during this session
of Congress.
Republicans Nom -c0mmittal
The republicans are characteristically
non-committal upon the subject. They
don't know for certain in which direction
the political advantage will be, and they
prefer to wait and see how the country
takes to such proposition Led by Rep
resentative Mann, the republicans propose
to gain all the political advantage that
they can during this session of Congress,
and try to make a showing in the next
congressional election. 1t is conceded by
most of them that If the Presidents pro-
posal of nationwide primaries is adopted,
Theodore Roosevelt Is practically assured
of the nomination of both the republican
and the progressive parties in 1916, and
will be the opponent of President Wilson.
They will not, therefore, go off half
cooked any of the progressive poll
cies" advanced by the administration. AS
bitterly as some of the republican lead
ers have denounced Roosevelt for dis
rupting the old republican organization
they are turning to him now, as the only
Moses in sight to lead them back into
the governmental pastures. Old stand
patters, therefore, while they cannot
grow enthusiastic over government own
ership" and other progressive ideas ad-
vanced, have at least learned their lesson
.t...-
words, they ''are cured"
There Is undoubtedly an overwhelming
sentiment among the democrats for gov
ernment ownership of the telephone and
telegraph, and If after the investigation
being made under the direction of the
Postmaster General the administration
decides to advocate it, the party will be
ready to enact such legislation.