Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-06
FOR NATIONWIDE
AIR MAIL: SERVICE
Mr.: Bur|eson Also Wants
U. s. to Own Telephone
and Telegraph Lines.
MAKES ANNUAL REPORT

Nationwide extension of the air.
plane mail service, including over
sea air connection with Panama and
South America, is outlined by POST
master General Burleson in his an
nual report made public. today. "A
new line between Washington and
Cincinnati, as feeder for the Boston /;
to-Key West air trunk line, will be
established.
Air Mail Routes Planned.
"The trunk line and feeders. decided
master General says, after describing
experimental operation between
Washington, New York and Philadel-
phia, under the present program are:
81; New York to San FRANCISCO,
with feeders from (a) Chicago TO- St.
Louis and Kansas City; CD Chicago
to st. Paul and Minneapolis; Co
Cleveland to Pittsburgh.
so. Boston to.Key West, with feed
ers from (a) Philadelph' to Pitts
burgh; CD Washington to Cincinnati;
(c) Atlanta to New Orleans.
90. Key West, via Havana to
Panama.
"a. Key West, via the West Indies,
to South America.
1.-The Post Office Department awaits
OILY the udy Wueu Lie Ill u ali III ~
duction of this country can more than
supply the needs of our own Army
| and those of our allies to make eff
fective the program for aerial mail
| that I have directed to be put into
operation as speedily as the war con-
| ditions will permit" Mr.. Burleson
continues. He points out that planes
Nor the overseas service decided upon
must be powerful, fitted with wireless
and of special construction. and de-
| clares that the commercial advantage
resulting from the expected reduction
| in the time of communication between
| South and Central America will JUS
| tify the expense.
Says Practicability Proved.
| Telephone and telegraph lines of the
! country. now under government con-
| troll. should become government
owned at the conclusion of peace and
the expiration of the provisions of the
act under which the utilities are now
controlled Postmaster General Bur-
/ Lesson declares. The war has shown
| that government ownership of tele-
| phones and telegraphs lis not only
sound, but practicable the PoStmaS-
/ ter General says. in repeating the rec
! omm endation which he has made in
| previous reports. but which he makes
/ for the first time as head of the gov
jernment agency controlling the land
I communication lines
The experiences as result of the
( present war have fully demonstrated
| that the principle of government own
ership of the telephones and tele-
graphs is not only sound. but prac-
teal" Mr.. Burleson says. ut has
| been necessary as a war measure for
Congress to consider legislation au
| thorizing the President to assume
control of the telegraph and tele-
phone systems of the country While
such control is temporary and will eX-
| list only until the ratification of the
| treaty of peace. yet the best results
can be obtained only when these sys-
TENS are owned by the government,
made a part of the postal establish
ment and operated solely with a view
! to serving the public and not making
profits or guaranteeing returns on
| the investment. Government owner
ship of the telegraphs and telephones
| should not longer be delayed. and the
action of Congress in this matter is
| urgently recommended"