Evening journal., 1913-12-19
PUBLIC
WIRES BY 1916
So Congressman Lewis Pre-
diets Of Government
Phone System
DEMOCRATS TO HOLD
CAUCUS ON SUBJECT

WASHINGTON. Dec. Delighted
with Postmaster General Burleson's rec
ommendation Of public ownership of the
telephone and the telegraph, Rcpresen-
tatiye David J. Lewis OF Maryland, who
has just concluded an eight months in
yestigation into the problem believes the
end of the new two years win see the
federal government in control and oper-
oting the telephone system Of tn nation
as a part OF its postal service.
The attitude OF the Democratic party
at the Capitol on The proposition will
be determined by caucus. When the
bill is introduced it will be referred TO
the house postoilice committee. That
committee will hold hearings and CON
ference Of all the Democrats will detcd-
mine the advisability of pushing the
measure at this session of Congress. AR
Lewis realizes that there is hard fight
ahead. The prospects, he said today, Tor
passing such legislation are much bright
er than they were for the parcel post
three years ago. at the time Mr.. Lewis
first began to agitate it in Congress.
lie added:
"My experience with postal matters
is that Mr.. Burleson is the first post
master general in a generation who has
had goal. He is showing fine admins
trative tact and courage in developing
the parcel post and working out pos
tai finances. On account Of the great
record he has made ] would assume 10
leave the telephone service to his talent
for administration and development as
soon as ] would to Mr.. Vail IL the lat
ter were postmaster general.
His prounouncement in favor of
postal monopoly Of communication,
added 70 the parcel post, makes Il look
like the Postofiice Is coming into its
own at last, and If Mr. Burleson sue
ceeds in adding the wire service. as
Is being done universally elsewhere,
his administration Will go as unique
in history"
The chief objection heard today to
the Postmaster-Gen recommen-
dation for Goyernment-owned tele-
phone and telegraph was the problem
of financing the vast undertaking. IL
Is realized that a billion dollars will
be required. Mr.. Lewis has estimated
that to Acquire the telephone line
will call for $900,OOO,00O and to pur-
chase the telegraph an additional
5000, 100000. His idea is to eliminate
the telegraph wires and leave them in
control of private hands II proposes
that the Government issue per cent.
'Government-teleph bonds to
run 40 years, the interest and sink
ing fund charges on these bonds to
come from the profits Of operating
the system. Rates are TO be fixed ac-
TO Stand on It's Merits.
The Government Telephone-Tele-
graph bill will be taken up as legis-
lative subject to stand on its own
merits Il was stated at the Office OF
Judge Moon, chairman OF the House
Committee on Postomces. that no
other postal legislation will be con-
sidered IN connection herewith.
Judge Moon has made no plans to in
troduce a bill on the subject. II Is
generally believed. however, that he
will do so after talking the matter !
over with Postmaster-Gen Burle-
ion and Representative Lewis.
Mr.. Lewis is preparing to make a
speech in the House before the holi-
lays on the subject. In il he will an
lounce the result Of his conclusions
If the inquiry he has made into the
subject. The Marylander hopes to be
lble to deliver this address next Mon
lay.
A preliminary move will be Con-
authorization TO the Post
MASTER General to make a report on
he feasibility Of acquiring the lines
or government monopoly.