The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-12-07
ASKS
US. C0NTR0L0F
COMPANIES
Postmaster General Believes He
Should Have Telegraph and
Phone Lines
AERIAL MAIL PROGRESS
Favors Development of Trans
Continental Routes With
Many Feeders
AERIAL NAH. PROGRESS

Washington, December 7.-Tele-
phone and telegraph lines of the coun-
try, now under government control,
should become government owned at
the conclusion of peace and the expir.
alton of the provisions of the act un-
der which the utilities are now con-
trolled, Postmaster General Burleson
declares in his annual report. made
public today. The war has shown
that government ownership of tele.
phones and telegraphs ''is not only
sound but practicable" the postmast-
er general says, in repeating the rec
ommendation which he has made in
previous reports but which he makes
for the first time as head of the gov
ernment agency controlling the land
communication lines.
'The experiences as a result Of the
present war have fully demonstrated
that the principle of government own.
ership of the telephones and tele-
graphs is not only sound but practi-
CAL" Mr.. Burleson says. ut has been
necessary as a war measure for con-
gress to consider legislation authoriz-
ing the president TO assume control
of the telegraph and telephone sys-
tens of the country. While such con-
troll is temporary, and will exist only
until the ratification of the treaty Of
peace, yet The best results can be oh
tanned only when these systems are
owned by the government, made a
part of the postal establishment, and
operated solely with view to serv-
ing the public and not making profits
or guaranteeing returns on the in
vestment. Government ownership OF
the telegraphs and telephones should
not longer be delayed, and the action
of congress in this matter is urgently
Operations Of the postoffice depart
ment for the fiscal year ending last
June 80 resulted in a surplus of re-
ceipts over expenses of $19.979.79S.
according to the report. Approximate
ly $44,5OO,000 additional was paid Ov-
er to the treasury from the increased
postal charges imposed for war rev.
enue. Total revenues of the depart
ment from all sources during the
year are given as $3SS,975, 1862,
against $329,7 6.115 for the 1917 fis-
cal year. Total expenditures are re-
ported at S324,S33, 72S, against $319.-
83S,71S in 1917 Disregarding the in
creased postal rates effective Novem-
ber 2 under the war tax bill the 'actu-
al increase in postal service business
during the year is placed at 4.47 per
cent, while expenditures increased
1.56 per cent.
Mr.. Burleson for the first time Off
cially reports upon the use OF air
planes for transmission of mail, and
government owned trucks for the op-
Grafton of rural parcels-post routes
disclosing plans for wide extension of
both facilities. He also renews his
made recommendation that
postmasters now appointed by the pres
ident should be selected under COM
petitive civil service examinations,
and that the four assistant postmast-
erds general and the purchasing agent
should be likewise selected.
The volume of mail carried during
the year was greater than ever be-
fore, says the report, in commenting
upon the surplus earned, which 1t
places at more than double the great
est profit ever found by the depart
ment previously. War activity in pri-
vate business not alone grew, but the
government itself put a tremendous
burden of matter into the mails from
the new efforts which it built up.
A very wide extension of the aer>
ial mail service has been planned, the
report indicates and outlines are Civ
CONTINUED on Page Eight.)