Evening journal., 1918-08-01
u. S. TAKES over
ALL Wire SYSTEMS
28, 900, 600 Miles Of Tele-
phone and Telegraph
Lines Transferred
LOWER RATES
ARE PROBABLE

night This morning FORMALLY look pos
session Of the telephone and telegraph
systems In the United States for gov
ernment control and operation during
ne main period OF the war. The wire
nss will be operated under the Post
oDce Department.
Mfr Burleson announced that the first
step OF the Federal wire-cOntrol ad-
ministration will be to coordinate and
unity the telephones and the telegraph
60 that the United States may have
one national system OF wire service.
All officials, operators and other en-
ployes VIII be retained in service by
the government until Mr.. Burleson and
his assistants complete their plans.
This will be done with due regard TO
the rights of the owners of the properly
and with the view OF giving the public
better service.
The transfer Of the 260O0,O00 miles OF
telephone wires and 100000 miles OF
telegraph wires from privstely-manag-
ed corporations to federal control and
operations was made without cere-
nfony or Incident IN Washington. The
only offlcial action that accompanied
the event came from Mr. Burleson,
who issued the following announce
ment:
Pursuant TO the proclamation Of
che President OF the United States, !
have assumed possession, control and
supervision Of the telegraph and tele-
phone systems OF the United States.
This proclamation has already been
published and the officers, operators
and employees OF the various telegraph |
and telephone companies are acquaint- /
ed with its terms
Until further notice the telegraph /
and telephone companies will continue
operation In the ordinary course OF
business through regular channels.
Regular dividends heretofore declared
and maturing interest on bonds, de-
bentures and other obligations may be
paid In due course and the companies
may renew or extend their maturing
obligations unless otherwise ordered
by the postmaster general.
"All officers, operators and employees
Of the telegraph and telephone com
psnies will continue in the perform
ance OF their present duties, reporting
TO the same officers as heretofore and
on the same terms OF employment
should any officer. operator or employe
desire 20 leave the service he should
give notice as heretofore to the proper
officer, so that there may be no inter-
ruption or Impairment OF the service
10 the public
Il earnestly request the loyal CO.
operation OF all officers, operators and
employees and the public in order that
the service rendered shall be not only /
maintained at high standard. but i'm /
proved wherever possible. II is the /
purpose 10 coordinate and unity these
services 50 that they may be operated |
as q national system, with due regard /
20 the interests OF the public and the
owners OF the properties.
NO changes Will be made until after
the most careful consideration OF all
the facts. When deemed advisable 10
make changes announcement VIII be
made.
The telephones and nc telegraph
Is controlled and ope7Eted BY a com
mittee composed OF Mr.. Burleson. chair
man; John G. Koons. first assistant ,
postmaster general; Dsvid J. Lewis, /
former Congressman from Maryland, I
and Judge William H. Lamar, solicitor /
OF the Post0fnoe Department
Mr.. Ko0ns is director OF admlnistra- ,
tion, Mr.. Lewis OF operations and :
Judge Lamar OF finance. Mr.. Burleson I
selected these aides last week after :
President Wilson issued his formal ex- I
ecutive order.
The United States is the last Of the {,
great nations OF the world 10 place It's !
system Of wire communication under !
government operation. although the ac-
ton by this country IS only tempo
rary measure brought on by the war.
The federal wire control administra- Z
hon plans to reduce the telegraph rates J
IN this country where Il can consist I
sntly be done. Mr.. Lewis Is now work !
ng on how stamps can be used in pay J
nent for telegrams 50 that the account J
ng charges ID this business can be re-
iuced to a minimum
There are IN the United States one t,
arge telephone company the American :
Telephone & Telegraph Co.. known as :
he Bell system. and about 1900 in :
dependent and farmers lines There
re two large telegraph companies
he Western Union and the postal Com =
,anies. The Bell system controls about /,
. per cent. OF The 26O00OO0 miles Of \
eleph0ne lines, or more than 2O5OOOOO =
niles The other 5,550000 miles OF tsle- : :
)hone lines Is controlled by the inde- 4
1endents, many Of whom are friendly Z,
% the Bell system. =,
Un.fying OF the wire systems ls now y
being worked out by Mr. Burleson and g.,
lis assistants and calls for the Joint y
ise OF the telephone and telegraph long !.
distance lines for both verbal and y
Morse-code messages. y
Following the installation or his uni p
hcation plans, Mr.. Burleson will move e'
TO place the postmasters I'm Charge OF -
the funds Of the telephone and tele- .
graph companies in the cities and y
towns. The telegraph funds will be a.
accounted for through stamp sales and !,
tiie Telephone bills Will be taken care u
OF by the local postofiices somewhat af- Il
Ter The system used for collecting box G.
rents. The entire system viii be mi a
on a cash basis. o
y p. Bardo, manager OF the Diamond d
State Telephone Company In this eitv o
today received from Theodore N. Vail !
4