The Washington herald., 1918-03-11

A general tendency among the
farmers and more careful business
men of the country is seen to op-
pose the postalization or Buflesoni-
zation of our telephone system.
Much favorable comment on the
attitude of George 7. Hampton.
editor of the Farmers Open Forum,
has been heard among members of
Congress since Mr.. Hampton let his
opinion be known to some of his
friends there. In his discussion of
the subject he points out some gov
ernment- ownership steps which he
believes should be taken and which
are more necessary now than the
telephone ownership. He says:
Il am opposed to pOstalization of
telephones even in times of peace.
as you will see from my summing
up; and l protest against it at this
time as question of infinitely
minor Importance and that to bring
it up now is to prevent concentra-
ton on the great questions which
must be settled now and settled
right if we are to win the war.
From a years careful study of
the subject l am convinced that the
postoffice cannot give the people of
the District of Columbia good serv-
ice at present rates without a
heavy deficit, which must be paid
by the people of the nation at large.
"a government ownership pro-
gram that would benefit all-prO-
ducers and consumers alike-and
which would immensely increase our
war efficiency would be the follow
ing:
"1-Take over the packing plants
and operate them at cost
"2-Take over the phosphate rock
beds and supply fertilizers to farmers
at cost
"S-Take over the coal, iron. copper
and other important mines and nat
urai resources.
A-Demonstrate the efficiency OF
government operation of railroads by
making them a perfect war TachiRe
under the control of the Director
General of Railroads.
Such a government ownership pro-
gram would help solve the problem
of the high cost of living, stimulate
the production Of all food supplies,
and increase our war efficiency
thousand fold over anything that is
possible by pOstaliza ton of the tele-
phones, even if the most extravagant
claims Of pOstaliZation advocates were
realized.
Measures of immense import TO en-
able US to feed the nations, ward of
the threatened famine, bring the war
profteers to the bar of justice, and
consolidate the nation for its great
task of winning the war, are pending
in Congress. / respectfully and earn
estly submit that until these questi:n rs
are disposed of Congress should not
allow its time to be taken up nv minor
questions, and. especially Dy one of
such doubtful value as postalizat!on
of the telephone
William Collier, of the George WASH
ngton University, has created some
favorable expressions among the law
makers for his proposal that govern
ment clerks can be excused from more
than seven hours work daily il they
will apply themselves to study fit
ting them to be of more use to the
government in other capacities, or in
the capacity in which they may be
employed.
Il am not advocating either less SER
vice for the government from its
clerks, nor am. advocating the pas
sage of the Borland rider" said Mr..
Collier. Il am merely suggesting that
IL these clerks do not want to work
any longer than seven hours a day
they have an opportunity to be ex-
cused from ii by doing themselves and
their government some good by taking
the time for study"
Still we hear of no definite program
on the part of the leaders Of Congress
to put through and get home at an
early date. Nor have we heard that
the proposal to adjourn and go home
for a couple or three weeks has gained
in favor. The session appears to be
drifting. The members have not struck
their gait, apparently and they do not
exhibit signs of doing so in the near
future. There are some very earnest
advocates of early adjournment among
the members, naturally, but they are
few and far between. There are some
indications. upon which we suppose
We. should base a real hope. that the
steering committee of the Senate will
meet sometime soon and outline a
definite program. II this is done, well
and good. II not, we fear the session
will drag on and On-and on.
n II