Evening star., 1917-01-11
SAYS j. s. FARMERS
BACK LEWIS BILL
Want Government to Own D. c.
Telephones, According to
Granger McSparran.
WIDER SCOPE IN FUTURE

Supporting Representative Lewis
/ contention that government ownership
and operation of the telephone system
fit to the farmers of the United States
John A. McSparran of Furnace, Pa
secretary of the legislative committee
of the National Grange appeared be-
fore the District committee this morn
ing at the hearings on Mr.. Lewis bill
providing for government ownership
of the telephone system in the District
OF Columbia.
Mr.. McSparran contended that the
small telephone companies now operat-
ing in rural districts are being squeez-
ed out by the big companies. which de-
mand that the low rates of these small
companies be raised, on threat of re-
fusing them ong-distance service un-
less this is done. He stated that these
small companies. whose sole object is
TO provide low rates for the farmers.
would much prefer to be squeezed out
by the government. which might be
able to provide still lower prices.
Ready to Meet Issue.
1t was at this point in the hearing that
Representative Focht of Pennsylvania in
quired of Mr.. McSparran where the
farmers would be if the government. hav-
of the country, should refuse to provide
any service at all for the farmers.
Mr.. McSparran. with his rugged bw
thrust we'll forward, turned to his in
terrogator:
'If the government of the United States
ever treats the farmer that way therell
be hell of time" he prophesied.
For whom, the faImer?" inquired Mr..
Focht
For you." opined the PENNSYLVANIA
farmer to the Pennsylvania representa-
tive.
For Postalization of Phones.
Mr.. McSparran stated that the or
ganized farmers of the country are
strongly in favor of the postalization
of the telephone wires, and that ex-
pertinent looking forward to this con-
dition is regarded as highly desirable.
The time which would be saved in in
accommodation would prove of great
benefit to the farmers, he said. He laid
special emphasis upon the fact that.
contrary to general opinion. the or
ganization which he represented is
not in favor of general government
ownership.
The question as to whether the gov
ernment has a monopoly in the Held of
carrying the mails was again raised
by Chairman johnson, who claimed
that il had not. The law on the sub
ject Of the delivery Of mails was read
by Representative Lewis, and Mr.. Nc
Spartan contended that the govern
ment is exercising as complete mo-
nopoly in this field as it would over
the telephone system under the Lewis
bills.
Not Terrified by Deficit.
The question of whether Mr.. Nc
Spartan believed Congress would be
right in passing bills which would Gre
ate a deficit in the Post Office Depart
ment was answered by that gentleman
to the effect that. in view of the great
benefits that would accrue to the coun-
try from the passage of the bills. he
could see no harm in a reasonable
deficit. He pointed out that several of
the functions of the department are
now operated at loss because of the
service to the country.
In conclusion Mr.. McSparran claimed
that any objection on the part of the
telephone companies to the bill now
under consideration by the committee
would show that they are afraid to
have the experiment: involved tried out
He urged the use of current congress
sional disbursements for free seeds,
amounting to several hundred thou
sand dollars. TO meet the expenses of
the proposed experiment in the Dis
trict.
The committee will meet at 10 O'Clock
tomorrow morning. No meeting will