The Nenana daily news. (Nenana, Alaska) 1918-1921, 1918-12-27
BURLESON TRYING
TO RETAIN WIRES

and telegraph lines of the country
now under government control,
should become government owned
at the conclusion of peace and the
expiration of the provisions of the
act under which the utilities are
now controlled, Postmaster Burle-
son declares in his annual report
made public recently. The war has
shown that government ownership
of telephones and telegraphs 'is
not only sound but practicable"
the postmaster general says, in re-
peating the recommendation which
he made in previous reports, but
which he makes for the first time
as head of the government agency
controlling the land communication
lines.
1.-The experiences as result of
the present war have fully demon
strated that the principle of gov
eminent ownership of the telephones
and telegraphs is not only sound
but practical" Mr. Burleson says
1T has been necessary as a war
measure for Congress to consider
legislation authorizing the President
to assume control of the telegraph
and telephone systems of the coun-
try. While such control is temporary
and will exist only until the ratifi-
cation of the treaty of peace, yet
the best results can be obtained
only when these systems are owned
by the government, made part of
the postal establishment, and oper-
ated solely with a view to serving
the public and not making profits or
guaranteeing returns on the invest
ment. Government ownership of
the telegraphs and telephones should
not longer be delayed, and the ac-
ton of Congress in this matter is
urgently recommended"
Operations of the postoffice de-
partment for the fiscal year end
ing last June 80 resulted in sur
plus of receipts over expenses of
$19,979,798, according to the re-
port. Approximately $44,50O, 900
additional was paid over to the
treasury from the increased postal
charges imposed for war revenue.
Total revenues of the department
from all sources during the year are
given as $388,975,962, against $685.
726,115 for the 1917 fiscal year.
Total expenditures and increased
postal rates effective November 2,
under the war tax bill, the actual
increase in postal service business
during the year is placed at 4.47
per cent, while expenditures in
creased 1.56 per cent.
Mr. Burleson for the first time
officially reports upon the use of
airplanes for Transmission of mail,
and government-owned trucks for
the operation of rural parcels post
routes disclosing plans for wide
extension of both facilities. He also
renews his previously made recon-
mendation that postmasters now APP
pointed by the President should be
selected under competitive civil serv.
ice examinations, and that the foul
assistant postmasters general anG
the purchasing agent should be like
wise selected.
The volume of mail carried dur
ing the year was greater than evel
before, says the report, in com
menting upon the surplus earned
which it places at more than doubl,
. the greatest profit ever found b.
the department previously. Wa
activity in private business not alon
grew, but the government itself pu
a tremendous burden of matter int,
the mails from the new effort
!, which it built up. Postmasters an.
postoffice facilities alike were use,
for war service that ranged iron
the registration of aliens to tn
sale of Thrift stamps and govern
ment bonds.
Among new facilities the repor
a n n