Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-12-14
Measure introduced by Rep
reSentatiye Moon Who
Drafted 1t in Consultation
With Postmaster General,
PRESIDENT SAID TO
APPROVE PLAN
Resolution Directs BurIeSon to.
Contract for Purchase Of
Telephone and Appraise
Telegraph Property,
lay MORNING JoussA. SPECIAL LEASED w,esi

Icy MoRkh6 JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED ~lREl
Washington, Dec 13.-Telegraph
and telephone lines would become per-
manent government-own utilities UNI
der resolution introduce, in the
house by Chairman Moon of the post
office committee. Mr.. Moon said the
measure had been drafted in consulta-
ton with Postmaster General Burle-
son, who had informed him that the
legislation was approved by President
wilson.
The resolution was referred to the
postoffce committee, which soon will
begin hearings on It.
Government control and operation
of the telegraph and telephone lines is
limited by the existing resolution to
C. period of the war, but under the
measure offered today it would con-
tinue until otherwise ordered by con-
sIess.' The resolution directs the
postmaster general TO negotiate con-
tra cts for the purchase of the tele-
phone lines, subject TO the approval
of congress and to have an appraisal
made as to the value Of the telegraph
property.
The right of the government to pur-
chase the telegraph systems is given
under an existing law, according to
administration officials. This law.
passed in 1866, was designed to give
government aid in the construction of
telegraph lines and provided that the
privileges of operations given the COM
panies were n-transferable except
that the government might purchase
the property.
Provision was made for the appoint
ment Of five disinterested persons to
appraise the properties should the
government decide to purchase them.
Two of the appraisers would be named
by he postmaster general, two by the
companies, and the fifth by these four
men.
Carlton Heads Cables.
New York. Dec, 13,-Newcomb
Carlton, president of the Western
Union Telegraph and Cable company,
has been placed in charge of all ma
rine cable systems of the United States
by Postmaster General Burleson it
was announced at Mr. Cartons offices
here today He has accepted the APP
pointment which was declined by
George C. Ward, vice president of the
Commercial Gable company.
Mr.. Burleson's order appointing Mr..
Carlton directs tho exclusion of CLAIR
ence II. Mackay, president of the Com
mercial Gable company; of Mr. Ward
and william w. Cook, from any con-
nection with the supervision. possess
sion control or operation of any and
all marine cable systems or any part
thereof" whose possession and opera
ton was taken over by proclamation
of President Wilson, November 2.
The Commercial Gable company this
afternoon acceded to Mr.. Cartons re-
quest, under protest" by appointing
George Clapperton, vice president and
traffic manager, to supervise the adj
ministration of the commercial sta
tions under the new arrangements
The refusal recently OF Vice Presi-
dent Ward. also general manager of
the Commercial Gable company, to
take over the joint management of
the systems, was based on the attitude
of his company toward the proposed
consolidation under. government con-
tract. This is being fought by the
Commercial Gable company in the
courts.
In discussing his appointment this
afternoon Mr.. Carlton stated en-
phatically that he did not favor gov
eminent ownership of the cable sys-
tenn which he said would give the
best service under the stimulus of
private ownership. He expressed the
firm belief however, that consolida-
ton and expansion would result in an
adequate all-American cable system
which would facilitate the efforts of
American business firms to meet for
eign competition in export trade.
Explaining the Commercial Gable
company's attitude, Mr. Ward tonight
issued the following statement
THE Commercial Gable company,
of course. objects to the whole pro-
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