The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-14
WIRE OWNERSHIP
MEASURED IN HOUSE
Chairman Moon of the Post
Office Committee Says
Wilson Approves.
TO REVISE LAW OF 1866
PROVIDES for Appraisals of
Telegraphs and Telephones
by Burleson's Agents.
Special Despatch TO TIE sux.


WASHINGTON. Dec. 13.-On the heels
Vi the McAdoo plan to take over the
raiiroads for five years more, in which
ultimate Government ownership was
generally foreseen by Congress. an
o.ner Government ownership plan
came to light to-day when Representa-
i've Moon (Tenn). chairman of the
House Post Office COMMITTEES intro
ouced resolution designed to take
over telephone and telegram com
panles permanently. The resolution
was referred to Mr.. Moons COMMITTEES
me resolution has the full sanction
ana backing Of Postmaster General
Durleson, Mr.. Moon said, and was
SHOWN 10 and approved by the Presi-
uent prior to his departure for Europe
phStead or straight out provision
ior Government ownership the resolu-
tion recalls authority granted nv Con-
gress hfty-two years ago to allow che
Government to purchase the teIevrsnt,
systems of the country. As there were
no telephones in existence n. that tiroo
une resolution had to provide for au-
tnori.y Tor the Postmaster General to
hegouate contracts for the purchases
or these systems.
Not Like Railroad Situation.
This step, IL the Democrats in Com
gress. attempt to get it through re.
qulres more immediate attention than
tne matter OF the railroads. as the an
thoritv under which the Government 10
operating the wire lines expires auto
natcally with the proclamation Of
peace, whereas railroad control nv tho
Government is authorized for twenty
one months after the official end of the
war Is proclaimed by the President.
however, the only hope for either
'les In the present session of Congress
"hlle Democratic majorities still exist
ana Doth the railroad and wire control
are in the same situation to that ex-
tent The railroad situation is commit
Gated. though, by the threat of the Ad-
ministration TO turn the roads hack IN
private ownership in their present
cnaouc shape II Congress refuses to
act during the present session.
Provision for AppraisaIs.
The text OF the Moon resolution fol-
lows:
Resolved by the Senate and House
OF Representatives Of the United
states OF America in Congress assem-
oied, That as an auxiliary to the pos
tai system the Government control
and possession OF the telephone and
telegraph systems of the United States
now existing by virtue of the Joint
resolution OF Congress dated July 1s.
1918. and the proclamation of the
President, be and the same Is hereby
continued until otherwise ordered by
Congress
That the Postmaster-General shall
cause TO be fixed the appraised value
OF all the telegraph lines. property and
effects OF any or all telegraph com
panies. as provided in section OF the
act OF July "a, 1866, and report the
result thereof to Congress for its con-
sderation
The Postmaster-General Is also di-
rected TO negotiate contracts for the
purchase of any or all telegraph lines.
together with their property and eff
fects. subject to the approval of Con-
gress:
That the Postmaster-Ge shall
report to Congress within a reasonable |
period some pm OF organization which |
will combine all the advantages and
authority of the Government with such
plan Of operation as the experience OF
the best operation In our industrial
world has shown to be advantageous.
Text of the LAW OF 1850.
The act of July "a. 1866. referred TO !
IN the resolution. is entitled AN act to
aid in the construction of telegraph /
lines and to secure to the Government
the use of the same for bostal. military ,
or other purposes" The text of the ,
third section is as follows:
That the rights and privileges hereby
granted shall not be transferred BY
any corporation acting under this act
to any other corporation. association :
or person provided. however. that the
United States may at any time after !
the expiration OF five years from the
date OF the passage of this act, for
postal, military or other purposes. pur-
chase all the telegraph lines, property
and effects of any or all of said COM
panies at an appraised value TO be as
certained by five competent. disinter-
ested persons. two OF whom shall be
selected by the Postmaster General of