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

NAoIiAN1 oAN, Jan TO- Tic
Hearst newspapers have learned on
the highest authority that the above
Information, vitality essential In the
consideration Of Government owner
chin Of telegraph and telephone lines,
has been ignored by the House Post
pffice 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 Postofiice Depart
ment for all information supplement
tary TO that contained in the annual
report.
The resolutions have, without OK
ception, been referred to the Post
office Committee. There they are now
pigeonholed,
According to the story, as 1t has
leaked from the Postoffice 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 anti trust legislation has
been put through President Wilson
will take no chances 81 antagonizing
House members. Thus no executive
pressure has been brought to bear
First Cost S250, 600. 900.
Postmaster General Burleson, 1t Is
said, believes telegraph and telephone
lines can be taken over at an initial
cost of $3.50, 100000 The surplus made
by the department on parcel post dur
ing the coming fiscal year, he be-
neves, will be sufficient to pay the 4
per cent interest on the transaction.
The Postmaster General. according
to his friends, Is believer in the use
of any surplus arising In his depart
ment for the improvement of the post
nj service.
Facts in Mr. Burleson's possession
show that the telegraph and telephone
companies are grossly overcharging
Tor the service ther render.
Forty per cent OF the physical yalr-
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 in Labor.
Stamps, II is declared, would take
the place OF the long reports now re-
quired on messages officials in the
tPossoffice Department would have SUI
pervision over the work. The en-
ployees Of the department would also
be utilized wherever possible.
Officials OF the Postoffice 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.
tn HES ~ cost and prOnt 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 COMMITTEES
was adverse to the presentation OF
MIR. Burleson's data was made clear
gay the Postmaster 'eneral's friends
when II was announced that mo =
tion would be taken by the COMMITTEES
concerning the postaliZation Of tele-
graph and telephone companies Cor
more than year
For one thing, the data explodes the
idea, prevalent in Congress- that the
proposition is so gigantic that II can
not be attempted in this country
1t is understood that among other
things the suggestion Is made that
Government bonds be exchanged Cor
the stock now In the possession OF the
companies,
Ten Months on Research.
This statistical information" said
a high Postofiice official is Of the
greatest Importance TO Congress
1T is known TO me that Postmaster
General Burleson had his coIps OF
workers engaged with II for ten
months In the hope that Congress
would see III to 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 "a
the Information in its possession"
Congfessme.. fdvoring the imme-
diate acquisition Of telephone and tel
egraph lines declare that II this infor.
nation can be brought TO light they
will use1t IN Congressional fights next
year, and viii commit Democrats tc
the proposition.