Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-24

NAShlNGION, Jan. 23.-Ine
Hearst newspapers have learned on
the highest authority that the above
Information, vitality essential In the
consideration of Government owner
shin of telegraph and telephone lines,
has been ignored by the House Post
office Committee.
The data acquired has been tho
subject OF several resolutions In the
House. Advocates OF Government
ownership Of telegraph and telephone
companies have introduced measures
calling upon the PostofilCe Depart
ment for all information supplement
tary TO that contained in the annual
report
The resolutions have, without cw-
ception, been referred to the Post
Office Committee. There they are now
pigeonholed.
According TO the story. as it has
leaked from the Postoffice Depart
ment, the Administration is afraid at
the present time\to have an open
break with the Democrats In Congress
on the postalization Of wire service.
Until the anti trust legislation has
been put through, President Wilson
will take no chances of antagonizing
House members. Thus no executive
pressure has been brought to bear.
First Cost 25O,00O,O00.
Postmaster General Burlesoa, II Is
said, believes telegraph and telephone
lines can be taken over at an initial
cost of $3.50, 900, 900 The surplus made
by the department on parcel post dur
ing the coming fiscal year. he be-
lieves, will be sufficient to pay the 4
per cent interest on the transaction.
The Postmaster General, according
TO his friends, is a believer in the use
of any surplus arising in his depac 2
ment for tho improvement of the post
al service
Facts in Mr.. Burleson's possession
show that the telegraph and telephone
companies are groSslv oVercharging
Tor the service thev render.
Forty per cent OF the physical valr-
alton of the telephone and telegraph
companies is in their buildings, which
the Government would not have to
acquire Government profit and the
one-third saving could be accom-
plished by the elimination OF red tape
and the economic distribution OF work
among the employees OF the Postofilce
Department
Big Saving IN Labor.
Stamps, II is declared, would take
the place of the long reports now re-
quired on messages officials in the
Postofflce Department would have SUI
pervision over the work The en-
ployees OF the department would also
be utilized wherever possible 4
officials of the Postoffice who have
had access to the Postmaster Cen
erals statistics declare they represent
the most complete and convincing ar
guYnent they have ever seen in the
support OF any proposition.
Tables of cost and profit from all OF
the great European nations. from the
Transvaal, from New Zealand and
from independent lines operating In
the Orient are embodied in the data.
Refusal by members OF the House
Postoff1ce Committee TO call upon the
Postmaster General for this informa
ton in the face of lnsistent appeals
made by Representative Lewis, Of
Maryland, and other have led TO the
expression OF doubt as to the honesty
OF the committees intentions regard
Ing public ownership OF wire services
That sentiment in the COMMITTEES
was adverse TO the presentation OF
Mr., Burlesons data was made clear,
say the Postmaster GENERALS friends
when IL was announced that mo =
tion would be taken by the committee
concerning the postalization Of tele-
graph and telephone companies FOR
more than a year"
For one thing the data eNplodes the
Idea. prevalent In Congress. that The
proposition is so gigantic that II can
not be attempted in this country.
1t is understood that among other
things the suggestion is made that
Government bonds be exchanged fo-
the stock now In the possession OF the
companies.
Ten Months on Research.
This statistical Information" said
high Postoffice official lis Of the
greatest Importance 10 Congress.
1T is known 70 me that PoStma 81 or
General Burleson had his corps OF
workers engaged with Il for ten
months in the hope that Congress
would see ~ 10 call upon him for Il
And IL has been n litter disappoint-
ment 10 all of those who are interest 70
ed in this project that Congress has
ignored this valuable acquisition "a
the Information in its possession"
CongressmeA favorine the imms %
date acquisition Of telephone and tel
egrapf lines declare that n this lnfor-
nation can be brought 70 light they
will use Il in Congressional fights next
year. and will commit Democrats 10
the nrOpogitfOu