The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-01
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ONLY RECOMMENDED
gurlcson Report to Senate Fa-
vor, Competition Then With
Telegraph Lines.
rXWISE TO BUY LATTER
Merging Of Postal and Tele-
phone Business Would Re-
ducc Rates. 1t Is'Said.

w,surxaroN. ian. sI.--The ground
.o,k for renewed agitation In favor of
-. Government monopoly OF the telephone
ADD telegraph lines of the country was
,,id to-day. when the Postmaster-C;eneral
.o,, 10 the senate report and recon-
r.rd,tion in response to resolution
Introduced by Senator Norris OF Nebraska.
rhey contain all the facts and figures ON
,bich the Postmaster General based
the statements In his recent report
IN favor Of Government ownership of
these public utilities.
The report was compiled after careful
Investigation by Daniel C. Roger, First
Assistant Postmaster-Gensral; NJ. c.
Chance, chief clerk of the Department.
and j. {. Coons. superintendent of the
divisions OF salaries and allowances.
while the recomme nda lions of the
Bureson commission apparently contem-
ps,e only the purchase by the Govern
ment OF the telephone lines, the plan
s,enls 10 be to have these lines equipped
Also for Geographic service and to enter
INTO competition with the existing tele-
srsph services of the country.
The commission says
"The only way to afford to the people
IN. complete and modern postal facilities
that the Constitution makes II the duty OF
the Government To provide is to put into
effect the following recommendations
That Congress declare public mo-
nopoy over all telegraph. telephone and
radio communication and such other
Uears for the transmission OF intelligence
a may hereafter develop.
That Congress acquire by purchase at
appraised value the commercial telephone
network except the farmer lines.
That Congress authorize the Postmas-
tsr-Ceneral to issue in his discretion and
under such regulations as he may pre-
scribe revocable licenses for the operation
By private individuals. associations. COM
panies and corporations of the telegraph
service and such parts OF the telephone
service ms may not be acquired by the
Government"
Says United states Is Alone.
The commission says that the United
States alone OF the leading countries of
the world has left to private enterprise
the ownership and operation OF telephone
and telegraph facilities.
II is found. says the commission. that
The telegraph plant of the United States
consists of $4,000 miles of pole line,
carrying about 100000 miles of wire
Ested Is estimated at $500 600. 600. In
Guiding the ocean wires and submarine
cables the capitalization probably would
amount to S22O. 100000
The commission complains that tee
graph facilities have not been extended
10 small towns and villages along with
the Government postal facilities nor has
the cost of service been reduced in the
inverse proportion that would seem to
be warranted by the increasing volume
Of business transacted"
Statistics show, the commission asserts,
that although the United States out
ranks all other countries In postal trans
actions per capita in respect TO telegraphs
L Is outranked by eight other countries.
The commission complains that all the
important countries save the United
States. Canada and Mexico have bound
by an international agreement
10 observe uniform regulations in the al
N! nstration of their telegraph service.
These regulations" says the report
with a view to affording the people the
most efficient service at the lowest cost
require the use OF the latest and hes,
improvements in the Geographic art and
prescribe the manner and method of re-
ceiving, transmitting and delivering tele-
grams and the rate of tolls TO be collected
The privately owned telegraph companies
l
10 the detriment of the people have re-
NAMED outsiders to these international
rules and regulations"
American Delegates Hindered.
The commission points out that at the
International radio conference in London
In 1872 the delegates from the United
States signed the treaty only with the
humiliating condition that as the telegraph
Y L.. H...s 4.
private companies this country must alb
staln from all regulations concerning
tariffs
The use OF the telephone in all walks
o. life is steadily increasing, while the
use OF the telegraph is relatively station
ary and therefore decreasing. says the
commission.
Telegraph companies says the re-
eort, have already lost for the most part
'he short distance business owing to the
and they probably will lose much of the
development of the toll telephone service
long distance business when the toll rates
become adjusted on a cost basis
The report says that this condition was
undoubtedly foreseen by the telegraph
companies several years ago. Mr. Burle-
sons commission says that before the ac-
QUESTION OF the Western Union company
By the American Telephone and Tele-
improvements whereby the telephone
would be added to the telegraph service
This attitude on the part of the West
ern Union company" says the report
was an underlying reason why its prop
-rty was acquired by the Bell interests
The commission holds that the acquisi-
ton ~ the telegraph service of the coun-
uH would necessitate taking over the
duplicate plants of the two big telegraph
companies with their duplicate expenses
or maintenance. whereas one could be
made TO serve the same territory. II Is
oon'ended also that the entire plants OF
Ihese two companies would be inadequate
Tor the purpose of the Government be.
cause their facilities have been extended
only 10 profitable territory.
Estimates on the Cost.
IT," commission estimates that II would
cost the Government at least $4,000, OO(
10 supcrimpose the telephone feature or
,he present telegraph systems. When THU
" added t. the estimated value OF the