davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
Author of Parcel Post Asks
Congress to Acquire
Telephone Lines.
SAYS BELLS ACTION
WON'T LOWER RATES
Opinion in Washington Is That
Agreement Marks New Era
in Wire Messages.
From The Tribune Bureau.


Washington. Dec aO-Thc first legis-
lative step toward the acquisition OF tele-
phone lines by the government was taken
to-day. when Representative Lewis. OF
Maryland. author OF the parcel post law,
introduced q resolution directing the
House Committee on Postoffices to pre-
pare and report a bill to bring about this
great undertaking.
The action Of the Bell Telephone Com
pany to prevent litigation under the anti
trust Law" Mr. Lewis said. "wilI not re-
duCe a single telephone or telegraph rate
I'm the United States. and 50 the public
necessities for legislative action to postal
ze these methods Of communication, a
they have been in nearly all other cOun-
tries. are not affected I'm the least"
The preamble Of tho resolution recites
that the rates for the transmission OF
messages over electric wires are high;
that ii is the duty Of the government TO
provide its citizens with the fullest IA
Ciites for communication. and that the
Constitution intended that the Postoffice
Department should have monopoly of
the Transmission of all intelligence.
1t is possible 10 convey both kinds oil
communications, the telegram ard the
telephone talk. over the telephone net
work Of the country" says the resolu-
ton. which purposes to vest I'm the
United States a monopoly Of the function
Of communication for hire by electricity
with provisions for.
9TH. appropriation and transfer OF title
81 tine telephone networks. except farm
ers' lines. To the United States, effective
January I, 1915.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21

can be a restoration Of free competition
| in public service. but he believes the
agreement with the American Telephone
and Telegraph Company is a long step
! toward return to competition in the
| telephone and telegraph field In his
opinion the Sherman law is a sufficiently
strong weapon 10 force any monopoly to
come to terms and he Is convinced that
clear demonstration Of its power will
do much to allay the growing sentiment
for government ownership.
: Postmaster General Bureson. it became
| known to-day, now has before him all
data collected and put in concrete form
respecting the proposed government ac-
QUESTION OF telegraph and telephone lines,
| but II is understood that 1t is not his
! purpose 70 submit the findings Of his ex-
perts to Congress unless they are desired.
| If Congress wishes TO take up the ques-
ton the Postmaster General is prepared
at an hours notice to submit data on the
subject
In the summary Of Mr. Burleson's an
nual report supplied to the newspapers
under the caption Postal Telegraphs and
Telephones appeared this paragraph;
"In June last a committee was appoint
| ed to make an investigation OF this
subject TO determine the preliminary
steps necessary for the government
to take toward the acquisition CT
! the telegraph lines in the country In ac-
cordance with Section 5,257 OF the Revised
! Statutes This committee is now engaged
| In preparing its preliminary report and
If the findings justify such action proper
| recommendation will be made by the de-
partment at later date"
AZ the report finally was issued in per-
manent form this paragraph was elm
| mated and the following substituted:
Since June last the department has
! been conducting careful investigation TO
determine the desirabity and practical
| biity Of extending the government owner
ship and control OF means OF communl-
cation, with a view 10 the acquisition by
the government OF the telegraph and tele-
phone facilities, TO be operated as an ad-
| iunct 10 the postal service. The POST
master General is now engaged in re-
viewing the data collected. and later, II
| pirate committees Of Congress FOR their
! consideration"
The change OF the paragraph was made
al the last moment before the report was
issue, the data meantime having been
submitted to the Postmaster General I'm
the form Of a report This report will he
| held by Mr. Burleson, it is understood,
without further expression upon his part
There have been many compromises be-
tween the Department of Justice and COM
binations brought to court as offenders
urder the Sherman act. but il was an
opinion quite generally shared to-day that
other big corporations are likely TO follow
in the footsteps Of the American Tele-
phone and Telegraph Company. Among
those who already have sought 10 settle
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
MALTBIE MADE CHAIRMAN
Heads Body Named by Com
missioners in Appraisal Work.

Milo r. Maltble. OF the Public Service
Commission, has been chosen chairman OF
the executive committee OF the committee
OF fifteen appointed by the National As
ISOLATION Of Railway Commissioners to
represent the various state commissions
In thu appraisal Of the railroad properties
Of the country which is soon 10 be made
bv the Interstate Commerce Commission.
II is believed the appraisal TO be made
will he used as the basis for future rate
making. The position carries no salary,
but II is likely to place Mr.. Maltbie in line
for appointment TO the Interstate Com
merce Commission when he finished his
work.
In making the appraisal the Interstate
Commerce Commission viii have cngi-
neers, accountants and other Investigators
at work, and It will be Commissioner
Naltbes provinc> TO see that the various
state commissions are properly represent
ed at all hearings before such investi-
gators.
Il am very much interested in the sue
cess OF the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's appraisal" said Commissioner Malt
| bic in speaking OF his appointment. at
will be work Of the greatest importance
TO the entire country, and the National
Association Of Railway Commissioners I'm
providing for proper representation during
the work acted most wisely.
AT the meeting which | attended in
Washington few days ago many OF the
great railroads were represented, and
their representatives assured the govern
ment officers that they were anxious to
do all in their power TO facilitate the COM
missions work
This is the proper spirit, and ! feel
confident that with such cooperation
from the railroads and the intelligent
work which may be expected OF the Inter
state Commerce Commission the impor-
tant matter will be handled with the
tnoroughness and expedition which the
business interests Of the country de-
mand."
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
ALASKAN STEAMER LOSS
Vessel Which Caused Fifty four
Deaths Goes on the Rocks.

Victoria, 3. e., Dec. 20.-The Alaska
Coast Company's steamer Jeanie. which
struck the rocks at Point Clark. Calvert
Island. B. G., on Friday, will be n total
loss. according TO word received to-day
from Captain Barnes, Of the Dominion
government steamer Estevan. which went
10 her rescue
Captain Barnes telegraphed he had
saved the registered mails on the Jeanne
The crew OF the Jeanne was taken off to-
day and set ashore AZ Safety Bay.
The Jeanic, a wooden ship OF l,072
gross tons. was built at Bath. Me, in
1883. On the night OF November Is, 1906.
sne rammcd the steamboat Dix Just out
zoe OF Seattle HarbOr, and the latter yes
sci kank in 100 fathoms Of water. carry
Ing down ffty-four Of her passengers.
Their bodies were never recovered.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
FOOTPAD ROBS WOMAN
Snatches Bag Containing Legal
Papers and Cash.

Mrs. Jane Adams. sixty years old
OF Goshen, y. =. was held up in VAL
cntine's Lane. Yonkcrs, last night bN a
man, who. pointing a revolver at her
demanded her yaluablcs. Without
waiting for her to hand hem over ne
snatchcd her handbag and ran.
Walter Stolte. a grocer's clerk. heard
her cries for help and chased the thief
but could not catch him. The police
searched the ncighbOrhoOd but all they
found was small empty purse which
the robber had thrown away. II he'd
contained only s..
The handbag contained deed, an m
surance policy and other legal papers
which are Of value to the owner but
useless 10 the highwayman.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
SANTA FOR TROLLEY MEN
Public Service Corporation In
creases Paw in Jersey.

The Public Service Railway Company 81
New Jersey gave its $50 motormen and
conductors Christmas present in the
shape of a general increase IN wages. The
new rates begin on January J. but were
announced in Newark yesterday By Pres
ident 7. y. McCarter OF the corporation,
The maximum wage for men who have
worked more than ten years for tho com
pany is increased from % 20 80 cents an
hour. an increase OF 20 per cent. the
minimum rate. paid to beginners during
their first year Of service. is increased
from % to . cents an hour, and gradu-
ally increases by length OF time Of en-
p'oyment until the full rate OF 30 cents
an hour is reached at the tenth year.
The increase will add about $1,000 to
the wage list Of the corporation. The rate
Of overtime. all beyond ten hours. Is
made 37l2 cents an hour. The new rate
applies only TO motormen and conductors.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
MAY GUST SUGAR CONCERN
Fight Opened to Eject Refining
Company from Brooklyn Site.

The state began action Yesterday TO Gust
the American Sugar Refining Company
from seven-elghths Of four square blocks
in the Williamsburg section of BROOKLYN,
which It and its predecessors have occu-
pied since 1855 The blocks involved eX-
tend along the East River from South LIST
street 10 South 9Th street and are bounded
on the land side by Kent avenue The
land is valued al 100000.
Deputy Attorney General McQuaid filed
the papers IN the action in the Office OF
the County Clerk, but they have not yet
been served upon the company, according
10 Henry i. Cochrane, the counsel. The
complaint charges the company with VIC
lstine the terms OF the letters patent
which the state issued TO the Long Island
Sugar Refinery, John 6. Williams, Will
lam Dick, Lulu Wintzen, Henry Harms,
Frederick G. Havemeyer. Thomas j
Havemeyer. Charles n. Senff and. the
BROOKLYN Sugar Refining Company. The
defendants named in the papers are
Frederick c. Havemeyer, Henry o. Have
meyer and Theodore Senff.
The violations date from February Il
1905 Since then the company has erected
on the land. originally set aside for dock
purposes, factory and other buildings
where II carries on the private business
OF sugar refining The company. II Is
charged. has failed 10 give the pubic
the full and free right, liberty and privi'
lege OF entering upon and using all and
every part Of the premises"
This suit follows closely the suit sue
ccssfully brought by the state 10 ous'
Steeplechase Park from the use OF the
beach at Coney Island.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
SENATE AIMS BLOW
AT OPIUM TRADE
Passes Bills to Stop Manufacture
for Smoking and to Reg
ulate Importation.

Washington. Dec. 2o-Another blow was
aimed AZ the traffic in opium In the
United States by the Senate to-day, which
passed two bills one of these prohibits
the manufacture OF smoking opium and
the other regulates the importation and
use Of opium The measures have al
ready been approved by the House. OF
the former bill the Senate committee said
in its report:
This is a bill for the regulation Of the
manufacture of smoking opium within the
United States. The reasons for its
passage are plain palpable and obvious.
In addition 10 the revenue arising, which
alone would justify the bill-consdering
the character Of the articles upon which
the tax is imposed-therc are other and
incidental reasons which would recon-
mend IT, II will enable the government
Of the United States 10 regulate the
manufacture Of dangerous product,
lessering tho evils TO public health and
to public morals which flow from com
merce in the product"
The Senate adopted an amendment sug-
gested by United States Attorney II.
Snovden Marshall and approved by John
Purroy Mitchell. as Collector OF the Port
Of New York. intended TO cover situa-
ton similar 10 that arising in the So
called Shelley case recently decided by
the Supreme Court.
The amendment provides that every
person who prepares opium suitable for
smoking purposes from crude gum opium.
or from any preparation thereof. or from
the residue OF smoked or partially
smoked opium, commonly known As
yen shee or from any mixture Of the
above, or any OF them. shall be regarded
as a manufacturer Of smoking opium
within the meaning Of this act
or the reason for this Mir. Marshall
said: .,..,..y-,
1T seems 10 me. as the law nov STANDS.
that the provisions OF the act Of October
/. 1890. relating 10 the manufacture OF
opium for smoking purposes cannot as a
practical matter be enforced. This result
follows for the reason that since II is
necessary TO prove that crude opium has
been used in the manufacture OF opium
for smoking purposes there VIII rarely ne
a case where evidence TO prove this fact
can be obtained. This situation arises be
cause Of the peculiar circumstances sur
rounding the traffic in smoking opium.
Among these circumstances is the one
that every part Of this traffic is carried
on with such great secrecy as TO make IT
most difficult 10 prove what is absolutely
nccessary-that is. that crude opium has
been used II is readily concealed and
chemically difficult 10 detect, and difficult
TO satisfy a jury beyond a reasonable
doubt that it has been used. OF course. II
goes without saying that those persons
who are now making smoking opium Will
use some proportion Of yen shee. thus
making it most difficult to secure convic-
tons"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
Convict Attacks Tormentor.

Convict No. Gs32 In Sing Sing prison,
who had been regarded as a model In
mate by the keepers. flew into rage yes
terday when leased by fellow prisoner
and attacked his tormentor with Ratchet.
The injured man. Peter Lagatua. burg
lar who was serving a two-year term,
may recover. His assailant was Michael
Sullivan. who liz serving twenty years for
granddaughter. Until his outburst yester-
day he was assured OF much shorter
sentence on account OF his good conduct.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
SEPARATION ORDER
SENDS T. & 7. UP
Gain of 51a Points Shows
Street Was Ignorant of
Negotiations.
NO SETBACK FOR
w. u, SAYS VAIL
Mackay Gratified at End OF
Bitterly Fought Contest
No Dissolution Plan Yet.

y net gain Of SO points in the half days
trading in the shares of the American
Telephone and Telegraph Company on the
Stock Exchange yesterday showed in
what complete ignorance Wall Street had
been kept concerning the negotiations be-
tween the company and the Department
Of Justice for the disposal OF its holdings
in the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany.
favorable construction was placed on
the news b' cause OF the avoidance Of the
threatened dissolution suit against the
Bell system. 1t was also contended that
the loss iu income II I'm Western Union
dividends vas not OF sufficient importance
TO jeopardze the parent company's earn
ing power
Another pleasing construction placed
upon the agreement signed by Nicc-PreSi-
dent y. {. Kingsbury and accepted by
Attorney General McRoynolds was the
probably indefinite delay I'm the passage
OF bill calling for government owner
ship Of ;he wire systems Of the United
States
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
GREAT D0CKYARD FIRE
New British Battle Cruiser En-
dangered at Portsmouth.

Portsmouth, Dec. 2O-A fierce fire
which though restricted TO limited area
OF the dockyard here. was still raging at
late hour tonight taxed TO the utmost
all the available resources of the port to
cope with it, The fire started in a sail
ioft alongside the south railway jetty.
ana spread to a semaphore tower used
Tor signalling warships and TO adjacent
buildings.
All the warships in the harbor were
summoned 20 send fire parties TO the
dockyard and the fire appliances of the
marine and military barracks were reqii-
sitioned, as well as the entire firetiGhtlns
force OF the port.
For time the new battle cruiser queen
Mary, which was 1noored alongside the
jetty. was jeopardized by sparks and
burning brands falling on her deck. but
she was speedily towed out OF the dan
ger zone.
When the fire was at is height flames.
fed by the stores Of lubriCatinC oil, shot
a hundred feet into the air, Illuminating
the entire harbor
The loss is estimated at $4,000. Many
valuable documents were destroyed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21

!, their involved affairs out OF court is the
New York, New Haven 81 Hartford Rail-
road Company, and that case presents
difficulties far greater than presented by
the Bell Telephone.
The departments attitude toward the
American Telephone and Telegraph Com
pany is not to be taken, it is asserted, as
an indication that 1t does not intend IN
the future to make use of suits in court
nor that it does not expect TO call INTO
play the criminal features Of that statute,
in cases OF conspiracy in restraint Of trade
where the real offenders can be reached.
There has been no final determination, II
is pointed out, not TO prosecute New
Haven directors, even after settlement
of the reorganization Of that road Is
agreed to-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
DINERS PRAISE K0ENlG
Republican Leader Lauded and
Given Silver Service.

Samuel :. Eocnie. Republican County
Chairman. Wa presented with silver
dinner service by hts constituents of the
sth Assembly District last night at % dln'
ucr in hts honor al Burgers cafe, 40. ~
Avenue e. Tho guest % honor wa Iaud'd
for HIS work during tho recent campaign
In the fusion cause.
The dinner Vas held under the auspices
OF tho Federal cub. IN" regular Rcpubh-
can organization 81 the 9Th Assembly Dis
,rlct Harry Kopp. defeated candidate
for Member Of the Assembly. "h" ian
against former Governor Sulz'r FOR that
office last fall was the chairman ~ the
dinner
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
Joseph Brooks Hit by Auto.

When crossing Broadway at 4ith street
last night. Joseph Brooks. sixty-three
wears old. a theatrical manager, living at
No West 10th street. was struck by a
southbound Broadway trolley car ana
painfully injured.
Dr. Quaglia. of Flower Hospital re-
sponded TO an ambulance call and treated
him. Mr.. Brooks then went home.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
FIGHT OVER COCAINE
Alleged Vcnder, Trapped, Tus
sles with Detective.

A man who said he vas John Ward
thirty-six years old. "A waiter was ar
rested last night at iZd street ana hlshth
avenue. charged with selling cocaine. lie
was arrested after scuflie with Dctec-
tive BaIlle OF Inspector Dycr's staff, and
v hen searched at the police station many
small packages Of n white power said by
the police TO be cocaine. were found.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
SULzER NOT FOR SPEAKER
Elk Governor Abandons Candl-
dacy-Will Stay on Floor.

Ex-Governor Suizcr. who returned from
his Western lecture tour Friday night
refused 10 talk politics yesterday. lie
had nothing whatever To- say about what
he intended to door try to do-in the
new Legislature. He did say n" was
glad the bin for direct nominations had
become law.
The Ex-Governor gave out the informa-
ton that he was not candidate for
Sneaker.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
H. Man Alleged Counterfeiter

on a charge Of making and circulating
United States Treasury notes reproduced
from photographs. Frank Greco. OF No.
90 I'm street. Long Island city, was ar
ralgned yesterday before Commissiohef
Shields He was placed under No~ bail
for examination on Wednesday The
prisoner was arrested by Captain John
Henry. of the local Secret Service. the
police say that Greco paid young con-
federates TO pass the bills
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
OARROW CASE AT AN END
Indictments Against Dynamit-
ers' Counsel Dismissed.

Los Angeles. Dec 30-Court records OF
Los Angeles County were cleared to-day
OF the Mcnamara dynamitlnG case. when
the indictments charging bribery against
Clarence s. Darrow, who was counsel for
the dynamiters. were dismissed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
Woman Scorns to Head Police

Gary. Ind, Dec. 20.-This city will not
have woman police head at present as
Mrs. Kate Wood Ray to-day declined to
accept ar appointment rendered her sew
eral DAYS ago by Mayor Knots. Mrs
RAY said she would not hold office under
laws IN the making of which she has had
no part.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
Judge Ben B. Lindsey Welded

Chicago. Dec. 20.-JudGe Ben b. Lind
soy. founder Of the juvenile court at Den
yer. and Miss Henrietta Brevoort step
daughter of Or. +. j. Clippcrt, of Detroit,
wore married here to-day.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-21
Over 10000 Independents.

Attorney General MChey nous tOld
friends to-day that scores OF the indie
pendent telephone companies In the
United States were gratfed with the
agreement made with the Department OF
Justice, which would give them the use
of thousands OF miles Of trunk lines oper-
atcd by the Bell company.
According to figures laid before the At
toruev General by " G. Kingsbury, the
vlce-preqdent OF the American Telephone
and Telegraph Company, who conducted
the negotiations which led to the agree
mont OF last night. there are more than
o0o 600 independent telephone companies in
tho country. The opening Of the Bell
lines 10 all these companies under the
sjnple and inexpensive plan. IL is said.
will mean that every one Of these COM
panIes has the right To make use OF the
Bell lines in every part OF the Union.
There was talk at the Department OF
Justice of action by the Bell company to
allow subscribers OF independent COM
panies I'm cities to talk to Bell subscrib-
ers through hell exchanges and Bell
lines. but Mr.. McReynolds said that this
was n step that seemed 10 be FAR In the
future. So far as he knew the indepen-
dent companies were well satisfied with
the American Telephone and Telegraph
proposal and it's agreement to make no
further extensions and TO give up its
holdings in such instances as the depart
ment or the Interstate Commerce Com
mission suggested such action.
Announcement Of the agreement caused
an unusual buzz of speculation here to-
dav. In some quarters 1t was regarded
os an indication OF the fight that some
Of the conservative members of Presi-
dent Wilson'S Cabinet will make against
poyernment ownership OF public utilities.
u is known that Mr.. McReynolds is
strongly opposed to government owner
ship.
The Attorney General is said to feel
that government ownership is likely to
come I'm the United States unless there