The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-02-04
URGES GOVERNMENT CONTROL
BURLESON REPORTS ON TEIE.
PHONE AND TELEGRAPH
OWNERSHIP.
Committee Report Declares People
Can Hest he Served by Federal
Ownership--Would Let Congress
Buy Lines.

monopolization OF telegraph, tele-
phone and wireless communication
"and such other means for the trans
mission OF intelligence as hereafter
may develop" is recommended in a
report today submitted To the SEN
ate by Postmaster General Burleson.
Immediate Government ownership
OF telephone lines In recommended,
with n system OF license for The 9TH
er agencies of communication, estab-
fishing a government monopoly even
whore there is not actual ownership.
The report Is that made to the
Postmaster General by special COM
mittee. appointed by him. and was
transmitted to the senate In response
TO a resolution asking that ne make
an investigation of the subject as an
extension OF the postal service.
The report points out that the
founders OF the nation were alive to
the Importance OF keeping under gov
srnment control all means OF COM
munication and provided In the con-
stitution that congress should have
power to establish postoffices and
post-roads. IL was clearly the inten-
ton. the report adds, that the gov
ernment should control every means
Of transmitting intelligence. The pos
tai service has already virtually ev-
cry means OF transmission except
electricity. and yet the United States
alone. OF all nations. the committee
points out. has left to private enter
prises the ownership and operation of
telephone and telegraph facilities.
These facilities are now for the
classes" tho report comments I'm
der government ownership they will
be for the masses
Government ownership Of telephone
rather than telegraph lines IL recon-
mended for the reason that telegraph
service can be more readily superim-
posed on telephone lines than tele-
phone service on telegraph lines. 1t Is
pointed out also that because Of the
great cost involved II would be un-
Wise. from a commercial point of
view. for the government to acquire
the telegraph lines by purchase.
The telegraph business Is on the
snA 10 hA tDIn
business. the report says. and in the
decade from 1900 to 1910 the average
daily telephone connections increased
2s7 per cent and the number of tele-
graph messages only Is per cent.
The telegraph companies. the COM
mittee said. have already lost most of
their short distance business. owing
TO the development OF the toll tele-
phone service. and probably will lose
much OF the long distance business
when toll rates become adjusted on a
cost basis.
Another objection to acquiring the
telegraph lines Is that even the dupli-
cate plants Of rival companies would
be inadequate because. the lines have
been extended only To- profitable terri
tory.
The cost OF acquiring the telegraph
facilities Is estimated at sees. 200. 900.
as against $500. 900. 900 for the long
distance and telephone lines AS there
are some 5000 propriators OF tele-
phone lines. payments would extend
over a period that would allow ample
time to market bosds' the report
adds.
The report declared that "the only
way TO AFFORD TO the people the COM
plete and modern postal facilities that
the constitution makes II the duty of
the government to provide" is by car
rying out these suggestions:
Il. That congress declare a govern
ment monopoly over all telegraph.
telephone and radio communication,
and such other means for the trans
after develop.
-. That congress acquire by pur-
chase at appraised value the com
mercial telephone network. except
the farmer lines
"3. That congress authorize the
Postmaster General To issue. I'm his
discretion and under such regulation
az he may prescribe. revocable Ii
censes for the operation. by private in
sividuals. associations. companies and
corporations. OF the telegraph ser
vice and such parts of the telephone
service as may not be acquired by the
government"
The recommendations are signed by
Daniel G.. Roper. first assistant Post
master General; Merritt G. Chance.
chief clerk postofIlce department. and
John c. Koons. superintendent divis-