Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-25
P..CONN0R ARGUES
FORFEDERA[ PHONE
Representative of East and
Southeast Washington Citi-
zens Files Brief.
SEES PUBLIC GOOD IN BILL

Conterding that government owner
ship of the Washington telephone sys-
tenn is necessary if the government IT.
self and the residents of the District
are to get the full and fair benefit of
the great public utility which the tele-
phone has become. A. p. Conner, chair
man of the committee on telephone.
telegraph. transportation. lights and
mail of the Southeast Washington Citi-
zens' Association and of the commit
tee on telephone. East Washington
Citizens Association. has submitted
brief to Chairman Johnson OF the Dis
trict committee of the House Of Rep
resentatives. now holding hearings on
the Lewis bill. which provides for try
ing out the effect of government own
ership of telephones here in Washing
ton.
Supports Measure.
In his brief Mr.. Conner supports
measure. now under consideration. or
the institution of an investigation into
the telephone utility conditions in the
District. He claims the local tele-
phone company employs unusual meth
OOS Oh business IN charging Tor llS
service and takes ito itself n monopoly
of the supply and use of telephone APP
paratus to the public and governments
in the District" Mr.. Connors brief
says. in part:
THE telephone utility is SO impor-
tant to the present day existence of
the communities in the District of CO.
lumbia that it ranks next highest to
that of water, which is the most es-
septial utility to the city life. 1t in
j. to-. ta1 n
business life, it enlivens and improves
the social existence. 1t definitely con-
meets the individual with the COM
munity and the community with the
individual. and it protects the in
dividuai in case of sickness, fire, crime
or catastrophe by facilitating com
munication with the means for removal
or minimizing of the causes causing
the respective unfortunate conditions.
Important to Government.
ITO the government the telephone is
infinitely more important than the
postal service for correspondence. 1t
is the indispensable arm of the gov
eminent in war. 1t is the most easily
interfered with and the most easily
used for spy purposes of all means of
communication between men. 1t can
enable the government to summon
every branch or individuaEin its serv-
ice to instant duty. should the occa-
sion demand-if the utility Is prop
erly. developed. And the lack of gov
eminent ownership of the telephone in
the National Capital of the nation.
where the government is the major user
of the utility, is menace to its exist
ence.
There always appears to be haZy
idea in the minds of the general pub
lie as to the desirability and appro-
priatenesS of government ownership OF
utilities and the question is usually
have done and the results coming from
such ownership The more correct prin-
ciple or method for the discussion
would appear to analyze the Subject on
it's principles and fundamental benefits
The government is in the business of
governing and all necessary to that
end is Of more or less Importance to its
existence. Where the governing fnn-
damental of the government is in dan
ger of proper movement of action, il
is desirable for the government to take
a greater or lesser control OF the mat
ter that will promote its business.
The may be other circumstances that
pertain to the public existence OF the
nation or community that require the
&c vernment to appropriately come into
control of the appropriate utility.
Appropriate to Control Water.
Thus. it is appropriate for the gov
eminent to control the water supply
of washington on health principles.
The elements of the principle to the
favorable consideration of government
ownership are that the utility must
be necessary to the government in its
business or existence. that it must be
to the advantage of the government to
have such ownership. and that the
ownership and operation by the gov
eminent must not interfere with estab-
ushed industries in manner detrl-
mental to the welfare OF the industry
in a manner to affect the general COM
munity.
The ownership of the government
! would not interfere with the telephone
industry, but would. in fact. promote
the same, as it would enable all tele-
phone manufacturers to come in and
bid and supply material, instead of sim
ply the Western Electric or Bell in
terests as at present. AS a matter OF
policv. 1t is essential that the govern
nent control the telephone, as private
interests could be readily bought out
by special interests. other govern
ments and be enabled to spy thor
ouahly on the government without de-
lection. and on the various embassies,
or on other competitors or businesses.