Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-23

WASHINGTON. Jan. 23.--The
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 the
subject OF several resolutions In the
House. Advocates Of Government
ownership OF telegraph and telephone
companies have introduced measures
calling upon the Postoffice Depart
ment for all Information supplement
tary to that contained In the annual
report.
The resolutions have, without cx-
ception, been referred to the Post
Office Committee. There they are now
pigeonholed.
According to the story, as 1t has
leaked from the Postotfice Depart
ment, the Administration is afraid AT
the present time to have an open
break with the Democrats In Congress IS
on the postalization of wire service.
Until the antitrust 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,ooo,o0o.
Postmaster General Burleson, 1t is
said, believes telegraph and telephone
lines can be taken over at an initial
cost of $3.50 000, 600. 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
- hi frta dc 10 n IN no rs ~
of any surplus arising In his depart
ment for the improvement of the post
al service.
Facts in Mr.. Burleson's possession
show that the telegraph and telephone
companies are grossly oVercharging
for the service the render.
Forty per cent of the physical vaiT-
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 Postoffice
Department.
Big Saving in Labor.
Stamps, It is declared. would take
the place of the long reports now re-
Quired on messages. Officials in the
Postoffice Department would have SUI
pervision over the work. The EN-
ployees OF the department would also
be utilized wherever possible.
Officials OF the Postofiice who have
had access to the Postmaster Gen
erals statistics declare they represent
the most complete and convincing ar
gument they have ever seen In the
support of any proposition.
To Has Nf cost and nrDnt from a II 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
Postoffice Committee to call upon the
Postmaster General for this informa-
ton in the face of insistent 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.. Burleson's data was made clear
say the Postmaster 'eneral's friends
when Il was announced that mo =
tion would be taken by the committee
concerning the postaliZation Of teie-
graph and telephone companies Tor
more than a year"
For one thing, the data explodes the
idea, prevalent in Congress. that the
proposition Is so gigantic that It can
not be attempted IN this country.
1t is understood that among other
things the suggestion Is made that
Government bonds be exchanged r.,
the stock now in the possession OF tho
companies
Ten Months on Research.
This statistical Information said
high Pnstofiice official, is Of IN,
greatest Importance 10 Congress.
1T is known 10 me that Postmasie,
General Burleson had his corps o.
workers engaged with 1t for ger
months in the hope that Congress!
would see fit to call upon him for II
And It has been litter disappoint,
ment to all Of those who are interest.
ed in this project that Congress has
ignored this valuable acquisition 4
the information in its possession"
Congressneu fdvorine the imma.
date acquisition Of telephone and tel.
egrapt lines declare that y this infor
nation can be brought to light they
VIII use Il in Congressional fights nex
year, and viii commit Democrats L
the proposition.