The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-01-20
BURLESON CAN
SAVE THIRD OF
WIRE SERVICE
Postmaster Generals Data Is Said
to Show That Charges Are
Unreasonable
BUYING PRICE, S250,0OO,OOO
Would Be Unnecessary to Take
Over Buildings, Worth 40
Percent of System
BUYING PRICE, s25O,OOO,OOO
DECLARES PLAN NOT GIGANTIC

Washington. Jan. 2O.-Postmaster-
General Bureson has in his possession
facts and figures showing how the
phone and telegraph companies and
operate them at a saving of 80 1-3 per
cent to the public.
He has, Furthermore, a table of
earnings showing the government
while making one-third cut i'm prices,
can operate the telegraph and tele-
phone lines at "A greater profit on cap
ital invested than is now being made
under private ownership.
This data represents 10 months of
research and correspondence with
practically every civilized country in
the world.
The data which the postmaster
general has acquired. has been the SUD
lect Of several resolutions on the floor
ol the house. Advocates of govern
ment ownership oi telegraph and tele-
phone companies have introduced
measures calling on the postoffice de-
par,ment for all Information supple
mentar! to that contained in the an
nual report.
Resolutions PigeonhoIe
These resolutions have, without cx-
ception, been referred to the postof-
ice committee. Thers they have been
pigcorh)led and there they remain at
the present time.
Postmaster-Generai Burleson, IL is
stated. believes telegraph and tele-
phone Ines can be taken over at an
initial cost of $3.50. 600, 600. and that the
surplus made by the postoffice depart
ment on the parcel post, during the
coming fiscal year. will be sufficient To
pay the per cent interest on tn,
transaction.
farts in MIR. BurlcScn's possession
Sho" that the telegraph and telephone
companies are at the present tim.
o'erch1rGing for the service they |
render 1t is pointed out that i'm tho !
United states, one telegraph message
is sent for every eight sent i'm New
"'al'nd. Furthermore. It is stated. !
'V per cent Of the ply steal valuation
u the telegraph and telephone COM
Pdh''S Is I'm their buildings. which the |
government would not have 10 ac- |
quirc
Government profits and the one.
'nird saving Of the American public |
'"u'I De accomplished, it rs claimed. |
pN ih" elimination Of red tape ana the
economic distribution of work among
'"e employees of the postonice depart
nehI stamps, it is stated, would
take the place of the long reports
""''h are now required on messages
oih'lals in the postof,icc department
"'uId be given supervision over the
""rN' The employees of the depart
h'nt would also DE utilized where.
ever possible.
Vill'ials of the postpI,ice department
Who have had access To the postmas.
WI generals statistical tables, declare
'"eN represent the most complete ana
'oH''hclng argument they have ever
s,e" IN support Of amy proposition.
i'o''s Of cost and profit from all lf
.I' great European nations. from the
'''uSVaal, from New Zealand and
NUN independent lines working In tho
o''cht, are embodied IN the data.
Not Too Gigantic.
ne data is said to explode the idea
prevalent III Congress. that the propc-
''"oil Is 50 gigantic that IL cannot be
"''einpted in this country. The in
iV'u'dtlon includes figures which show
,''' inc department would take over
'"' workable apparatus of the COM
r'n''s and consolidate IL into one
nee at relatively small cost.
-, u IS Understood. among other things,
,"' suggestion is made that govern
"'"' bonds be exchanged for the
SUCK now In the possession of CONF
pancs.
MS statistical information" said
=, ''sh postoilice official today. "is "
greatest importance to congress
- 20 known to me that Postmaster
us"er9I Burleson had his corps Of
4, nerS' engaged with IL for 10 months
q, "' nope that Congress would see
r.. eau on him for II. And u has
bitter disappointment TO all of
,oo, VINO are interested in the pro-
y., 49, mat congress has ignored this
IN ao'e e acquisition to the information
~ Its possession"