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

W ASH NJ ~ Jan @".- u"
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 Posi-
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 TO that contained In the annual
report.
The resolutions have, without eX-
reption. been referred to the Post
office Committee. There they are now
pigeonholed.
According TO the story, as It has
leaked from the Postofiice Depart
ment, the Administration is afraid at
the present time to 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 antagonizins
House members. Thus no executive
pressure has been brought 10 bear
First Cost $25o,000,000.
Postmaster General Burleson. II is
said, believes telegraph and telephone
lines can be taken over at an initial
cost of $3.50, 600. 900. The surplus made
by the department on parcel post dur
ing the coming fiscal year, he BE-
leves, Will be sufficient to pay the
per cent interest on the transaction.
The Postmaster General, according
10 his friends, is a believer In the use
Of a nv pig In hts AaTN ~
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.
81 Forty per cent OF the physical valu-
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 m Labor.
Stamps. II is declared, would take
the place OF the long reports now re
CURED on messages, Officials in the
Postoffice Department would have SUI
pervision over the work The EN-
rloyees 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
Rument they have ever seen in the
support of any proposition.
Tables OF cost and profit from all OF
The great European nations. from the
1'ransvaal from New Zealand and
from independent lines operating in
the Orient are embodied IN the data.
Refusal by members of the House
Postofiice 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 'enerars friends.
when II was announced that mo =
ZION would be taken by the committee
concerning the postaliZation Of te'e-
graph and telephone companies Tor
more than year"
For one thing, the data eXplodes the
idea, prevalent in Congress. that the
proposition is so gigantic that Il can
not be attempted in this country.
1t is understood that among other
things the suggestion is made that
Government bonds be exchanged fa-
the stock now in the possession OF the
companies
Ten Months on Research.
This statistical information" said
a high Postofiice official lis OF the
greatest Importance to Congress.
1t is known 20 me that Postmaster
General Burleson had his corps OF
workers engaged with IT for ten
months in the hope that Congress
would see 1T 10 call upon him for Il
And II has been a litter disappoint-
ment to all of those who are interest
ed In this project that Congress has
ignored this valuable acquisition to
the information in its possession"
+ Congressme. favorinp the imme-
date acquisition Of telephone and tel
egrapk lines declare that II this intor-
nation can be brought 10 light they
will use Il in Congressional fights next
year, and will commit Democrats 70