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


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 linas,
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 Postofice Depart
ment for all information supplement
tary 10 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 it has
leaked from the Postoffice Depart
ment, the Administration is afraid AZ
the present time 10 have an open
break with the Democrats In Congress
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 $2so,0oo,o00
postmaster General BnTlcSOn, IL is
said. believes telegraph and telephone
lines can be taken over at an initial
cost OF $3.50 600, 000 The surplus made
by the department on parcel post dur
Ing the coming fiscal year, he be-
lieves viii 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 depart
ment for the improvement OF the post
al service
Facts In Mr. Burleson's possession
show that the telegraph and telephone
companies are gro.slv overcharging
for the service the 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 Postofiice
Department
Big Saving IN Labor.
Stamps, it is declared would take
the place OF the lone reports now re
CURED on messages officials in the
Postoffice Department would have SUI
pervison over the work. The EN-
ployees of the department would also
be utilized wherever possible
officials OF the Postoftice 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.
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
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 committee
was adverse TO the presentation Of
Mr.. BurlesOn's data was made clear.
say the Postmaster 7enerals friends
when II was announced that mo a.
ton would be taken by the committee
concerning the postalzation 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 Il can
not be attempted in this country
II IS understood that among other
things the suggestion is made that
Government bonds be exchanged tor
the stock now in the possession OF the
companies.
Ten Months on Research.
This statistical Information said
n high Postotlice official. is OF the
greatest Importance to Congress
1T is known to me that Postmaster
General Burleson had his corps OF
workers engaged with II FOR Ten
months IN the hope that Congress
would see Al to call upon him for Il
And II has been a liter disappoint-
ment 10 all OF those who are interest
ed in this project that Congress has
Ignored this valuable acquisition tC
the information In its possession"
CongressmC. fdvoring the imm
diate acquisition OF telephone and tel
egrapf lines declare that II this nfor-
nation can be brought TO light they
will use Il in Congressional fghts next
year and will commit Democrats 10