The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-07
BURLESON WANTS
j. s. OWNERSHIP
Of WIRE LINES
Postmaster General, in Annual
Report, Declares Federal
Control Should Be Followed
by Ownership.

WASHINGTON, Dec. Telephone
and telegraph wires of the country, now
under government control, should be-
come government owned at the conclu-
sion Of peace and the expiration Of the
provisions Of the act under which the
utilities are now controlled, Postmaster
General Burleson declares in his annual
report. The war has shown that gov
ownership of telephones n
t~eiegraphs is not only sound but prac-
tlCahle, the acknowledgement says, in
repeating the recommendation which he
has made in previous reports, but which
he makes for the first time as head OF
the government agency controlling the
land communication lines.
The experiences as a result of the
present war haVe fully demonstrated
that the principle Of government owner
ship of the telephones and telegraphs
is not only sound but practical" Burle-
son says. 1t has been necessary as a
war measure for congress to consider
legislation authorizing the president to
assume control Of the telegraph and tel
ephone sytems Of the country. While
such control is temporary, and will exist
only until the ratification OF the treaty
of peace, yet the best results can be
obtained only when these systems are
owned by the government, made a part
Of the postal establishment, and oper-
ated solely with a view to serving the
pupliC anu not MAKING pTulltA VI BudI-
anteeing returns on the investment,
Government ownership Of the telegraphs
and telephones should no longer be de-
layed, and the action Of congress in this
matter is urgently recommended.
Operations Of the postoffice depart
ment for the fiscal year ending last
June 30 resulted in II surplus Of receipts
over expenses OF Sl9,979, 1913, according
to the report. Approximately $44,5 500 900
additional was paid over to the treas T.
ury from the increased postal charges
imposed for war revenue Total reNe-
rues of the department from all sources
during the year are given as $8SS, S75, :
962, against $329, 1875, l15 for the 1911
fiscal year. Total expenditures are re-
ported at 1924, S3S, 1928, against 1913, SSS, =
us in 1917, Disregarding the increased
postal rates effective Nov, 2 under the
war tax bill, the actual increase in pos
tai service business during the year Is
placed at AT per cent, while expendi-
lures increased l.56 per cent.
Airplane Reports.
Burleson for the first time officially
reports upon the use Of airplanes for
transmission of mail, and government
ow ned trucks for the operation of rura,
parcel post routes disclosing plans for
wide extension OF both facilities. He
also renews his previously made recon-
mendation that postmasters now ap'
pointed by the president should be Sc
leCted under competitive civil service
examinations, and the four assistant
postmasters-general and the purchas.
ing agent should likewise be selected.
The volume Of mail carried during the
year was greater than ever before, says
the report, in commenting upon the
surplus earned, which II places at more
than double the greatest profit ever
found by the department previously
War activity in private business no,
alone grew, but the government itseli
put a tremendous burden OF matter into
the mails from the new efforts which
it built up. Postmasters and postof'
flee facilities alike were used for wal
service that ranged from the registra-
ton of aliens to the sale of thrift stamps
and government bonds.
Among new facilities the report asks
Is an appropriation of 81 500, 900 for the
construction Of Il subway between the
Grand Central station In New York anc
the Pennsylvania criminal office, re-
placing the discarded system of pneu'
matte tubes, and devised to relieve con,
gestion. Authority is also asked for the
establishment OF q guaranty fund within
the department, with which to bond en-
ployes handing money and valuables
This is advocated to relieve the pre-
MUM charges which are said by the
report to excessive, n also to elimi.
nate delay and difficulty,
Dealing with complaint of delays In
mail for soldiers In France, both be
fore and after the mail service was ta-
ken over by the army, Burleson's re-
port says that much Of 1t was due to
the handling Of mail by orderlies In
military service,