Evening star., 1918-07-24
us. MAY OVERHAUL
D. C. PHONE PLANT
Innovations Under Govern
ment Control Likely to Be
Tried Out Here.

whether further legislation by Con-
gress will be necessary to supplement
the resolution under ssaich President
Wilson acted in assuming control Of
the telegraph and telephone lines Of
the country. in his proclamation yes
terday, was discussed by members Of
Congress today.
Chairman Smith Of the interstate
commerce committee believes that
further legislation may be desirable
to create an agency for administering
the wires similar to the railroad ad-
ministration for railroad operation. OF
course, II . deileit occurs under Hoy-
ernment operation an appropriation
by Congress would be necessary.
May Try Innovations Here.
Because Post Onice Department Of
ficials who have studied the telegraph
and telephone situation have stated
that the National Capital now affords
one Of the most marked examples Of
congestion in both systems, It y be-
city in which Innovations planned
fecten
One of the CHIEF difficulties here 10
the congestion OF telegraph wires
and, as stated in The Star previously,
1t has been suggested that trunk tsls-
phone lines easily may be used for
sending telegraphic messages.
Government, oflctals also have been
concerned with the local telephone
situation, and tho question Of install.
ing automatic telephones, especially
on government exchanges probably
will be one OF the 6rst questions to
be considered by the Postmaster Gem
erai and fhs committee which will
work with him as chairman In direct
ing the government operation Of the
wires
In Favor Of Automaties.
The Post once Department was
fully prepared to install the auto
matics here II the telephone system
came under government ownership,
but now that Il fs merely . matter Of
government control the proposition IL
entirely different. 1t was pointed out
today.
The Post once Department IL
known to be greatly in favor Of the
automatic telephone equipment, be-
lieving especially that II would heip
solve the present telephonic congss-
ton existing in the National Capital.
Conferences with oflicials Of the Chess
apeake and Potomac Telephone Com
pany viii precede action.
The installation Of the dial instru-
ments even throughout the federal de-
partments and the business sections
of the city would cost big sum and
would take time. Ultimate saving IN
however, the Post once Department
stand ready to show.
July 81, Midnight Date Get.
t.H,a r hi: "a e y::st.,s9y
phone lines, President Wilson set
midnight Of July 81 40 the time for
beginning government operation.
Wireless systems were not included
in the proclamation. because the Navy
Department already controls the
cIuded because involved questions
were raised by the contracts with
foreign governments on whose shoyea
the cables are landed.
Administration Of the wire sys-
TENS is placed il the hands Of Post.
be aided By committss. of which
he. 10 chairman, composed Of First
Assistant Pestmaster General John
C. Konna, William H Lamar, solicitor
uf the Post odlce Department, and
David ! Lewis, former representativs
| from Maryland. who now u 8 mem,
ber Of the tariR commission.
Mr.. Koons will handle auest1ona ol
organisation and standardization, Mr.
Lamar. financial and legal problems
and Mr.. Lewis VIII deai With prob,
lens Of operation. S
tmployss y Remain.
Until Otherwise decided present
management and employps OF. the
lines will remain undtstpFbed, Pres.
sns cssno.., III ~ w nv