The Washington herald., 1918-07-25
IDEAS
LIKELY TO BE
APPLIED HERE
Senator Smith Believes an
Operating Agency Should
Be Created.

Further legislation in relation to
the resolution under which Presi-
dent Wilson acted in assuming con-
troll of telegraph and telephone
lines Of the country will be neces-
sary, according to Senator Ellison
d. Smith, chairman Of the Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee.
The question was discussed among
members Of Congress yesterday. Sen
ator Smith was OF the opinion that
an agency for operating the wires
similar to the Railroad Administra-
tion will be needed. In that case.
IL Q deficit should occur under gov
ernment operation an appropriation
by Congress would be necessary.
Marked congestion in both tele-
graph and telephone systems exists
in the National Capital, according
to postoce authorities who have
studied the subject Therefore
Washington will doubtless be the
frst city IN which innovations plan
ned by the government will be real
lied. For instance. trunk telephone
lines could EASILY be used for send
ing telegrsphic messages.
Considering Autouaties.
The local telephone situation has
also been o matter of concern with
the authorities. The question of in
stalling automatic telephones will be
one Of the nrst taken up, especially
in connection with the government
exchanges.
The Postofice Department was fully
prepared to install the automatics here
IL the telephone system came under
government ownership, but now that
1t 10. merely q matter OF government
control the situation II entirely Diff
ferent.
The Postofice Department considers
that the automatic system would do
away with the present congestion in
the telephone service here. Confer
ences with oficials Of the Chesapeake
and Potomac Telephone Company will
precede action.
The installation OF dial instruments
throughout the Federal departments
and the business section OF the city
would take time and cost a large sum.
Ultimate saving in the cost Of opera
tion would be great, however, accord
ing to the Postofiice Department
Wireless systems are not included
In the proclamation, because the Navy
Department already controls the radio,
and ocean cables were not included
because involved questions were raised
by contracts with foreign govern
ments on whose shores the cables are
landed.
Until otherwise decided the pres
ent management and employees viii
remain undisturbed. Present financial
arrangements will also continue. with
the approval OF the Postmaster Gen.
eral.
Burleson Issues Statement.
Mr. Burleson has issued a statement
saying that there should be the least
possible interference with the wire
communication system, that press
only to better 1t. and that farmers
phones would be touched only to make
connections with larger lines.
The Postmaster General pledges the
public his best efforts for the most ef-
ficient service at the least cost and
states that he welcomes suggestions
and cooperation of the men who have
built up the system.
or the financial plans the Post
master General said:
Regular dividends hitherto de-
clared. and maturing interest upon
bonds. debentures and other obliga-
Il IS, may be paid in due course
and such regular dividends and in
terest may continue to be paid un-
til and unless the said Postmaster
German shell. from time to time,
otherwise by general and special or
ders determine; and subject to the
approval of said Postmaster general
the various telegraph and telephone
systems may determine and arrange
for the renewal and extension Of
maturing obligations"
The Presidents proclamation
provides that the Postmaster Cen
eral, II he so elects. may administer
the line through the owners man
ayers. boards OF directors or re-
ceivers. It provides further that
until the Postmaster General directs
otherwise the present management
shall continue.