Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-18

May -. 1874. and was continued as a
part of the postal service until March,
1S47, when, because the line had not
up to that time paid running expenses,
which undertook its operation, receiv-
ing as a gift property which had cost
the government $4,000. 1t is declared
in the report this action was taken in
spite of the earnest and vigorous pro-
tests of the then Postmaster General,
Cave johnson of Tennessee. who. as
senator for years previously, had OPP
as fSs sO yaue
Of the telegraph and the necessity and
wisdom of maintaining it as a govern
mental function. 1t is declared that
in taking this stand Mr.. Johnson had
the active support of Henry Clay and
many others of the far-seeing states
men of the day.
Approves the Lewis Bill.
This committee early in the last ses-
sion of Congress took up for consider
alton and carefully studied the bill in
troduced in the House Of Representa-
tives by Representative David ]. Lewis
of Maryland for the ''postalization OF
the telephone: to secure to the United
States a monopoly of electrical means
for the transmission of intelligence for
hire: to provide for the acquisition by
the Post Office Department of the tele-
phone network, and to license certain
telephone lines. radio and telegraph
agencies"
The report states that the committee
concluded the Lewis bill was broad
enough for their purpose and assured
Representative Lewis of the support OF
the International Typographical Union.
Four hearings were held on the bill.
at which representatives, OF the union
gave testimony. The Dill, 1t is stated:
however, died with the adjournment of
Congress.
Attention is called in the report to
the fact that Congress provided for
measures of rural free delivery, postal
savings banks and the parcel post. The
committee states it is it's judgment
governmental monopoly of the wire
service of the country overshadoWs all
the others in Importance and gives
promise of more substantial and last
nor section. but for practically all
the people of this country.
Recommendations by Committee.
The committee recommends, in the
report, that the members of the union
appeal to their representatives in Con-
gress. to have a law passed giving the
control of such lines.
Mr.. Dickman stated it is highly prob
able that when Congress meets again
Postmaster General Burleson will re-
new his recommendation of the two
previous years. He also declared Rep
resentative Lewis had announced his
Intention again to present his bill to
Congress.
At the convention of the union last
year at Providence, r. l., Mr.. Dick
man, delegate from the Columbia Typo
graphical Union. offered a resolution.
which was adopted, setting forth that
telegraph and telephone lines ought
to be controlled by the government.
1t was following the adoption OF this
resolution that the committee was ap-
pointed to endeavor to place the mat
ter before Congress.
Mr.. Dickman declared that the recent
taking over by the Navy Department
of the Sayville. l.. l., radio station was
good illustration of why the govern
ment ought to control all such lines
and he said he-is of the opinion that
such a bill will be passed at the COM
ing session of Congress.