Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-03
C0NCRESsMEN DISCUSS
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP
House Decides to Permit Commerce
Committee to Continue Considera-
:ion OF Telegraph Resolution.
BURLEsON FOR SERVICE FIRST
Postmaster-General Is Questioned
About His Attitude Toward Union.
ization OF EmpIoyees-Is Not
Against It.
BURLEsON FOR SERVICE FIRST
tBy Associated Press.l


WASHINGTON. July o,-The House
late to-day reversed its action in TAX
inE from the Commerce Committee the
AsweH resolution for government con-
troll of telegraph and telephone lines
and voted to-permit that committee to
continue Its sconsldsratien ,.,,; e.-,4s7;s tE
The topchstone of tho postal, ser
vice" sod Mr.. BEEfssof, rs service
to the public without reference to
profit. I don't want a postal surplus;
l prefer deficit. l don't want de-
nett from graft, corruption or wanton
extravaganza. but from increased pub
lie service" He added that tho tele-
graph and telephone companies stand
point is to avoidreducing dividends to
stockholders; the mail standpoint, in
creased facilities.
Representative Cooper, of Ohio, re-
ferred TO the threatened Western Union
strike and asked the witness IL he
would favor unionization. which is the
issue in the threatened strike.
APPLICATION SHOULD
he WITH GOVERNMENT
That is a fair question:" replied
the Postmaster-Gene Il have never
opposed the government employees or
taken over the employees should not
be affiliated with any outside organiza-
tion The sole aftiliat.on should be with
the government. and no outside organi-
cation should be allowed to influence
their action
IF the government does take them
over" insisted Mr. Cooper. land the
government does not concede their
right to unionizc how can the gov
ernment avert a striker"
No STRIKES IN POSTAL
SERVICE, SAYS DURLESOS
Il don't attempt TO answer that ques-
ton. the Postmaster General replied.
but we do not have strikes in the
postal service. The telegraph and
telephone employees are patriotic and
] do not believe they will strike il
there is necessity for continuous opera
ton Of these lines. The Western Union
Telegraph Company does rs per cent
OF the telegraph service. and as the
Secretary Of War says. it would be dis
astrous II strike occurred. The mere
suggestion OF 1t ought to move us all
to take whatever step we can to pre-
vent it,"
why Is there an emergency now
tive Hamilton. of Michigan.
TWO REASONS WHY
ACTION IS NEEDED NOW
There are two reasons" answered
Mr.. Burleson. THE first is, I believe
that the telegraph service is break
ing down as evidenced by tho sending
Of important messages, including those
OF the government. by train messen-
ger. The other reason, and I don't
know whether it is true. is that Il
strike is threatened
Permanent government ownership
and operation OF telegraph and tele-
phone lines was advocated by Secretary
Daniels. and Postma s ter General Burle-
son said il the systems were as Of
ficiently conducted by the government
rs the postal service now Is they never
would go back to private ownership.
Sec-1tary Baker said 1t did not hap
pen at the minute to be a military
necessity TO take over telephone and
telegraphs. but It might be .the next
minute" He declared IL essential as
a war measure to give the President
fun power to take over control Of the
wires il necessary.
Representative Parker. of New
Jersey, csked whether II would not be
we'll to amend the enemy trading act
to confer the proposed powers. but Mr..
Baker replied that that course would
not secure continuity of operation OF
the lines. which was essential. He said
he had no objection to amending tho
Aswell resolution so as TO provide for
making 1t apply to taking possession
of any part OF system. instead OF all.
The secretary opposed any time limit
Continued on Second Page,)
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