The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-08-01
WIRES ARE NOW
UNDER CONTROL
OF Government
Taken Over Last Night by
Postoffice Department-No
Change in Operation.

WASHINGTON. Aug. Control Of
telephone and telegraph lines was TAX
en- over Wednesday night by the Post
office Department and their operation
placed under the general supervision
OF special commission created for
the purpose by Postmaster General
Burleson
Mr.. Burleson announced that until
further notice the companies will con-
tinuc operation in the ordinary course
through the regular channels and that
all officers and employees will continue
In the performance Of their present
duties on the same terms Of employ
ment. The plan is, however to CO
ordinate the facilities of the various
companies to the best interest of the
public and the stockholders.
Investigations into wire conditions
being conducted by the special com
mittee, composed OF First Assistant
Postmaster-General Rooms, David j.
Lewis, former member of the Tariff
Commission, and William II. Lamar
Solicitor Of the Postoffice Department
VIII be continued so that all possible
information can. be secured before any
changes are undertaken.
Pursuant to the proclamation OF
the president of the United States,
said Mr.. Burlesons statement. II have
assumed possession, control and SUI
pervision OF the telegraph and tele,
phone systems of the United States
Until further notice the telegraph
and telephone companies will con-
tinue 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 companies, will continue In the
present duties reporting to the same
officers as heretofore and on the same
terms OF employment Should any
officer, operator or employe desire to
leave the service he should give notice
as heretofore to the proper officer.
II earnestly request the loyal coop
Grafton 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. 1t is the
purpose to coordinate and unity these
services so that they may be operated
as a national system with due regard
to the interests Of the public and the
owners of the properties.
mo changes will be made until af.
ter the most careful consideration of
all the facts. When deemed advisable
to make changes announcement will
be made"
NEW YORK, Aug. Theodore n.
Vail. President of the American Bell
Telephone company, today issued a
statement to all employees of the Bell
lines asking them to continue to show
their finest sense of obligation and
your loyalty and fidelity to the pub
lie service" under government control,
which begins at midnight, that they
have displayed In the past. The state
ment was issued after a meeting held
by the company's officers to discuss
continuation of their duties under the
Federal regime. 1t was indicated that
it was expected that the company s
affairs would run along virtually as
usual.