The Farmington times., 1918-08-23
GOVERNMENT CONTROL
OF WIRE SERVICE

to do so. the President did not include
wireless systems, because the Navy
alreary is in control of them, and he
did not include ocean cables, presum-
ably because contracts the cable COM
panies have with foreign govern
ments, on whose shores they land,
contain clauses respecting government
operation which raised involved ques-
tions. The Navy already is in practi-
cal control of the cables through its
censorship.
The Presidents proclamation plac-
ed administration of the wire sys-
TENS with Postmaster General Burlc-
son and provided that until otherwise
decided the present management and
employees will continue. Present finan-
cial arrangements and employees will
continue with the approval of the
Postmaster General.
Least Possible Interference
In a statement accompanying the
proclamation, Postmaster General
Burleson announced that his policy
would be one of the least possible in
reference with the wire communica-
ton systems consistent with the in
terests and needs of the government.
Press wire service, Burleson said,
would be interfered with only to i'm
prove its facilities, and farmers tel
ephones would be interfered with on
ly to facilitate their connection with
the larger lines. No general policy
has been decided upon, the postmas-
ter general announced, and public no
tice will be given of any plans to
change present arrangements.
Pledging to the public his best ef-
forts for the most efficient service at
the least cost, the postmaster general
said he welcomed the suggestions and
cooperation of the men who have
built up the systems.
Postmaster General Burleson per-
sonally will take charge of the Gd-
ministration of the wire communica-
tion and will be assisted by COM
mittee of three, composed of John l..
Koons, first assistant postmaster gen.
eral, in subjects of organization; Da-
vid J. Lewis, former congres! imam
from Maryland, now member of the
tariff commission, on subjects of op-
Grafton, and William H. Lamar, So
licitor for the postoffice department, on
matters of finance.
May Act Through Owners.
The Presidents proclamation pro-
vides that the postmaster general, If
lie so elects, may administer the lines
through the general managers, boards
of directors or receivers. 1t provides
further that until the postmaster gen.
eral directs otherwise. the present
arrangements shall continue.
Regular dividends previously de-
clared and interest on maturing obli-
cations skall continue to be paid un-
til the postmaster general directs
otherwise; and subject to his approval
the companies may arrange renewal
and extension of maturing obligations
The Postmaster General, in his dis
cretion, may hereafter relinquish, il
whole or in part. to the owners any
telegraph or telephone system oyel
which he has assumed control.
Presidents Proclamation
President Wilson's proclamation, af
ter quoting the law by which Congress
authorized him to take over the tele'
phone and telegraph lines, says:
"Whercas, 1t is deemed necessary
for the national security and defense
to supervise and to take possession
and assume control of all telegraph
and telephone systems and to operate
the same in such manner as may bt
needful or desirable:
"Now, therefore, /, Woodrow Will
son, President of the United States
under and by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the foregoing reso.
luton and by virtue of all other pow
ers thereto me enabling, do hereby
take possession and assume contro
end supervision of each and every tel.
egraph and telephone system, and ev'
cry part thereof within the jurisdic
, ton of the United States, including al
|, equipment thereof and appurtenance'
thereto whatsoever and all materials
and supplies.
at is hereby directed that tie su
! pervision, possession, control and op
Grafton of such telegraph and tele
phone system hereby by me under
, taken shall be exercised by the post
| master general, ElDSTI D. Dur lcoOii
Said postmaster general may perform
the duties hereby and hereunder i'm
! posed upon him. so long and to sucl
extent and in such manner as he shall
l.. determine, through the owners, man
ayers, boards of directors, receivers
: officers and employees of said tele
graph and telephone systems.
Provision for Dividend
"Until and except so far as salt
, postmaster general shall from tim
, !, to time by general or special orders
otherwise provide, the owners, mana
+, gers, boards of directors, receivers, of
: ficers and employees of the variop
!, telegraph and telephone system
= shall continue the operation thereo
, in the usual and ordinary course o
business of said systems, in tn
names of their respective companies
associations, organization, owners, o
, managers, as the case may be.
Regular dividends thereto direct
|, ! ed and maturing interest upon bonds
E debensures and other obligations ma.
be paid in due course; end such regu
lar dividends and interest may contin
ue to be paid until and unless the sal
1 Il. F. Ls.~x. =