New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-07-18
PENNY PHONE CALLS
MAY Be IN ORDER
Government Ready to Begin 0per-
alton Of All I. and 7. Wires

Washington. July 18.-With the
principal difficulty in the way of talk
ing on er the telegraph and telephone
wires of the nation now removed,
President Wilson is ready to sign
the formal executive order. Postmas-
ter-General Burleson is already
named AS director general Of the sys-
TENS. David J. Lewis, former repre-
sentative from Maryland will be his
principal assistant and probably the
active head Of the system. One cent
phone calls are predicted under the
federal mana cement
The main difficulty has been for
eign owned or controlled cable sys.
TENS having terminals in the United
States, The president has received
an opinion from The department Of
Justice that these may be taken over
without complications. If necessary.
agreements will be made with the
owners.
The time Of the signing Of the OK
ecutive order is now the only ques-
ton. It is entirely in the hands Of
the president 1t has been urged
upon him that the military situation
neCessitates control at this time.
The president has been advised
and he agrees. that the post office dc
partm ent should be charged with the
administration of the system.
Postal Dept. in Charge.
It is the plan of the administra-
ton. it was learned, to utilize the
present organization of the post Of
fee department throughout the Coun-
try. The postmaster in each city and
town will be in charge of the tele-
Payments will be made through the
postmaster thus utilizing the care
full and thorough system of checking
up post office accounts
The presidential order will take
over all OF the telephone systems Of
the country. including smaller lines
and independent systems.
Representative Aswell (La.). who
fathered the legislation in the house,
and who has been in almost constant
communication with the White House
since the inception of the plan, de-
clared today that considerable saving
in operation and consequent reduC-
tons in rates are certain to result
To Amalgamatc Systems.
Reports have already been received
showing that 917 cities throughout
the country have more than one tele-
phone system. some of them having
three. This added expense to tele-
phone users will be wiped out i'm
mediately when federal control goes
into effect through abolishing COM
petition.
While Mr.. Aswell refused to dis
close the presidents views, he conf
IDENTIFY prophesied that instead of the
increa Sc in rates which resulted after
the government took control of the
railroads, both telephone and tele-
graph rates would be reduced rapid
ly and would continue to be cut so
long as the system is in operation.
Local telephone calls will, in the
course of a short time. drop, and if
the system is in effect two or three
years will be one cent instead of five
Mr. AsweIl declared. The huge
overhead charge carried by the com
ranies will De cut in half Immediate
j. by consolidation, and the public
i'll benefit directly from it Using
telephone wires for telegraph mes
>uges and vice versa will result in
enormous savings"
Mr. Aswel said that leased wire
charges would be considerably less
under government control of the
wire. He is believed TO reflect the
views Of the president.