Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-09
POOL WIRE LINES,
IS ADVICE OF VAIL
Makes Many Recommendations
to Improve the Present
Service.
CABLES TO SOUTH AMERICA
President of American Telegraph
and Telephone Company
Outlines Plans.
ray Associated Press. \

WASHINGTON. December S.--pooI-
ing OF the telephone and teleg raph ia
ciliiies Of the country on the one hand
and the marine cable lines on the
other. each with Il comprehensive op-
Grating organization under "A single
executive head. is recommended TO
Postmaster-General Burleson by Theo-
dorc y. Vail. president OF the Amcri-
can Telegraph and Telephone Com
pany.
In his letter. made public to-day.
Mr Vail said the pooling arrangement
would be brought about without dis
memberment OF the properties and in
such manner that they could be
turned back to private owners at the
expiration Of the period OF govern
men: control.
"pnat should be done to create an
ideal sys,eis;.' said NJ. Vail. cannot
be Gone because OF existing laws. nor
would complete consolidation be JUS
tilted. since to Undo such Il consoli-
dated system into it's former units
you'd lead 10 unwarranted waste.
Ihere ere, however MANY things
which can be done which would not
produce waste and which might. By
educate the pubiv and create an :lc-
lively favorable attitude toward. some
nrreiation or ordination of opera. :.
regulation and restriction. through
some combination Of governmental au- :
'horiiy and private. ownership or op.
and incentives Of both" " = - : g
Mr.. Vail. who is acting as contiden
pai ps adv'seF 10 postmasieriGeneral
consolidation systems taken over by
the government, discussed the land
ana marine and wire organization sep
aiateiy. II the United States. he said.
l. 10 become commercial and indus
trial world center. an American cable
system conscnant with the obligations
anu opportunities OF the country mus!
be organized.
FAVORS TII!: BUILDING
OF CABLE SYSTEM
Their must be United States sys-
tenn which VIII place this country di-
rectly in communication with every
country with which we have or hope
10 have important commercial rela
lions" declared Mr. Vail .'As IL ia
now. We are on one side oc the world
system. We mus; be made one OF the
centerS OF the world system If we eN-
the world or. be properly considered
.by the countries we wish to reach.
The immediate and pressing neces-
lean Cable TO give this country and
the River Platte countries direct ca
bic communication.
immediate action. The\cable situation
is and has been grave. \ Congestion is
now the rule and ACCUMULATION of
business is a; times serious. and when
the activities of the peace conference
arc really commenced in Europe it
VIII be greatly increased.
BY one traffic head controlling ca
bic operation and few slight changes
In the physical property which could
centralize the cable terminals as i.
were. the efficiency can be somewhat
inrre?se
:. Forr. the uniicat:cn of the land wires.
Mir. Vail suggested creation OF three
operating divisions. each embra cling the
distinctive operation OF telephone
service and telegraph service and
The maintenance and manipula ton of
wires OF systems" distinct from
traihc operations. Below those diVi-
sions ihe organization could be am
plihed and arranged 10 meet the uc-
ccssities. he said. and the Who'll. should
oDerate under one executive head.