Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-03-26
DBL|C OWNERSHIP
OF PHONE LINES.
H. Kinnard, Noted Telephone
Expert, Writes Article on Sub
ject For the Telegraph
By l.. III. kinnard


<o more important question now pre-
nts itself for public consideration
I'm the advocated acquisition and op-
htion of the nationwide telephone
stems by the Federal Government.
rhe people of this country. who alone
HI decide the issue, have had but
ant opportunity to post themselves on
subject: aside from the lengthy ar
ments which have been submitted in
kommendation form to both branches
Congress, and which have been given
nsiderabie circulation, practically
thing has been directly said or writ
from which the public might de-
mine the real significance of such
pposition.
certain factors are, however, well
preciated. Telephone service in this
intry is universally conceded to be
finest in the world; the telephone is
re widely used, and it's availability.
represented by the number in SER
e, is far. greater than IN any any, Iotssign ts
now 100000 telephones as against
than 100000 in Europe and less
in 100000 in all other countries OF
world. AS regards the number OF
road, the latest reports develop that
B. figures are nine for the United
lfes and less than one for all of Eu-
be.
Here and In Europe
Despite this comparison, champions
the project of Government ownership
mt to the European State-owned sys-
ms as examples of successful develop
mt and administration of the tele-
bne business. Even casual reference
Authoritative data indicates that the
ercise of Government monopoly and
nership has had the effect of dis
lraging the development of the tele-
pne and the perfection of the service
intries. the telephone plant has not
en modernized and still consists
gely of a type of apparatus which
S in use here fifteen or twenty years
b. The great obstacle which lies in
path of telephone advancement
Foughout Europe is the influence of
itics and lack of sufficient capital to
bYide facilities for the constantly in
sctice to let the telephone traffic
krwhelm the facilities, and, as a re-
t, there is not only a long list of
Pple waiting from two to six months
telephone service, but communica-
n within and between the large cities
o Government officials express their
fret, but declare that they can do
hing. This too, Notwithstanding the
that the average cost of telephone
vice in the important countries of
rope is-hgured in American dollars
Il cents--but 81 less per year than in
S country. When we make proper
bwance for the relative purchasing
foad, we are impressed with the fact
t the average cost of service on the
Ter side is greatly in excess of what
S here. in many cases to the extent
100 to 200 per cent.
In England
n England, where conditions are
st comparable with those in this
tntry, it is found that the telephone
tens, which were taken over by the
Eernment a few years ago, have now
eriorated to such extent as to call
til the widespread protest of the
Pple. Calls are handled inefficiently
expansion of the telephone system
new territory or even to meet the
ckly settled communities has not
N carried on. and rates, in which
santial reductions were promised
the Government, have undergone no
nges. The employees. as well as the
rons of the service. are dissatisfied
the toll and long distance service
the laughing stock of the English
bple.
his and the telephone service OF
er State-owned European systems OF
iilar character, however. is the SER
Q which advocates of Government
nership on this side of the water are
ding up as examples for comparison
n that of our own country.
here has been presented before
lgress an array of figures which pur,
is to show that Uncle Sam could
Fe over the telephone systems. in.
ase the efficiency of the service, still
re widely extend it. and. at the same
(e;. reduce the rates. If this were
Fstble, the arguments for Govern.
pc ownership would, indeed. be
engthened. But in order to furnish
the same efficient and extended
'er than are now in effect, it woult
necessary to reduce the operatins
penses and construction costs. Is /
hin the realm of probability that
could or would be done? Is there
striking example of efficiency ant
nomy in the administration of oul
ional business undertakings which
uld lead the people of this country
to expect? Considering the wontet
rayagance and inertia of our neces
lily changing political institutions, 4
ely does not seem that any substan.
rate reductions could be promised
this score.
Political Aspects
s regards the political aspect of the
Fstion, the transfer of the great army
telephone employees to Federal ser,
E would only enhance the power O.
political party in control and woul,
vide additional scope for patronagt
rginia Darky Princess viii
With Husband 81