The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-14
Burleson Again Urges
Government Oqvned Wires
Ignores Wilson's Promise TO Business and Asks Purchase
of Telegraph as Well as Telephone Lines in His
Annual Report to Congress.
NO CHANCE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS. Is BELIEF

WAsHrNGroN. Dec. l3.--In his annual
report Postnaster-General Burleson again
comes forward with the recommendation
to Congress that the Government acquire
and operate all the telephone and teIe-
graph lines In the United states. Mr..
Burleson I'm this years report goes little
further even than he did in last years.
In the report OF 1913 lie suggested that
the Government might acquire merely the
telephone lines and then use them in COM
petius with the privately owned tele-
graph COMPANIES as well as conducting
telephone system.
Now Mr.. Burleson says the Government
should buy both telephone and telegraph
companies This would cost a vast sum.
probably hundreds OF millions OF dollars.
but such trifes as war taxes and hard
times have no terrors for Mr. Burleson.
He is in favor Of Government ownership
and he wants 1t soon.
at Is therefore recommended" says he.
that early action he taken by Congress
looking to the accomplishment Of this
end"
Mr.. Burles MS recommendation was
received in Washington with surprise. as
IL Is so entirely out of accord with tho
Presidents announced assurance To bust
ness that disturbing legislation is at end
and that the period OF ,ful peace Is
at hand
Many Congress leaders did not hesitate
to say to-day that MIR. Wilson would
have t. begin to "saueich" his Cabne'
members II he expected to obtain good
results from his recent encouraging as
surances. II is Of course acknowledged
on all hands that there is no chance of
legislation ~ the character proposed ny
Mr.. Burleson. BIT many II the rresi-
dents friends insist that this is no time
even to renew agitation for Il.
'rGrs steps Taken soon.
This is what MIR Rurleson says on tris
big subject
The pos,mas,cr-,ieueral rcncws the
commentator embodied In his last an
nual report that Congress seriously con-
slider the question ~ declaring Govern
ment m nopoly over all utilities for the
public transmission ~ intelligence and
that steps be taken as soon as possible
to incorp rate into tho postal establish
men, the telegraph and telephone systems
Of the country.
In that report reference was made TO
the anomalous condition in this country
unueT winch tUe lele-ldph ana t'lepnoNt
utilities. being vehicles for the public
transmission of intelligence. infringe upon
"A function reserved by the Constitution To
the Government. They inherently rs we'll
AS constitutonally belong to the postal
service
That 1t has been the policy OF this
Government ultimately to acquir. and
operate these electrical means OF com
municatiUn rs postal facilities AS is done
by all the principal nations. the United
states alone excepted. - evidenced by the
fact that the first telegraph line in this
country was maintained and operated rs
a part OF the postal service and further by
the act of July "a, 1865. which provided
for the Government acquisition OF the
telegraph lines upon tn. payment OF an
appraised valuation, aud again by the act
of 1902 which directed the Postmaster
General 10 report to Congress the prob
able cost OF connecting a telegraph and
telephone system with the postal service
by some feasible plan
Denounr-s service and Cost.
The data which the postmaster-Gen.
eral was engaged In reviewing when his
last report was prepared have since been
submitted to Congress In compliance with
a Senate resolution and printed AS "A
public document The firm conviction Of
the Department is here reiterated that
telegraph and telephone service is in
evitably monopolistic and when operated
under private control does not render the
maximum Of public service a. the mini
mum cost 10 the whole people
1t IL an interesting fact that whereas