The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-12-13
FOR OWNERSHIP
BY Government
Burleson Urges 1t for Te!e-
phone and Telegraph Lines.
WANTS CONGRESS TO ACT
Sharp Criticism OF The Military Az
ahorities, Whom ,Burleson Holds
Responsible For Delays In
Soldiers Malls. sl


Washington.---Telep and, tele-
graph lines Of the country now under
government control should become gov
eminent owned at the conclusion OF
peace and the expiration Of the pro
visions afr the act under which the
utilities are now controlled, Post
master General Burleson declares in
his annual report just made public.
The war has shown that government
ownership of telephones and tele-
graphs lis not only sound but prac-
ticable," the Postmaster General says,
in repeating the recommendation
which he has made in previous re-
ports, but which he makes for the first
time as head Of the government
agency controlling the land communi-
cation lines.
1.-THE experiences as result OF the
present war have fully demonstrated
that the principle of government
ownership of the telephones and tele-
graphs is not only sound, but prac-
tical," Mr. Burleson says. 1T 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 systems
of the country.
Wants Immediate Action.
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 gov
eminent, made part of the postal
establishment and operated solely with
a view of serving the public and not
making profits or guaranteeing re-
TURNS on the investment. Government
ownership of the telegraphs and tele-
phones should not longer be delayed
and the action of Congress in this
matter is urgently recommended"
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, 1875, ac-
cording to the report. Approximately
$44,500,000 additional was paid over
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 $SS8.975, 962, against $685.
726,115 for the 1917 fiscal year. Total
expenditures are reported at $324,S3
728, against $319, 838,718 in 1917. Dis
regarding the 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 expendi-
lures Increased 1.56 per cent.
Mail BY Airplane.
Mr.. Burleson for the first time off,
cially reports upon the use of airplanes
for transmission of mail and govern
ment-owned trucks for the operation
of rural parcels post routes disclosing
plans for wide extension of both facili-
{ ties. He also renews his previously
made recommendation that postmas-
ters now appointed by the President
should be selected under competitive
civil service examinations, and that
the four assistant postmasters gen
eral and the purchasing agent should
be likewise selected.
The volume of mail carried during
the year was greater than ever before,
says the report, in commenting upon
the surplus earned, which it places at
more than double the greatest profit
ever found by the department pre-
viously. War activity in private bust
ness not alone grew, but the govern
ment itself put a. tremendous burden
Of matter into the mails from the new
efforts which it built up. Postmasters
and postoffice facilities alike were used
for war service that ranged from the
registration of aliens to the sale of
Thrift Stamps and government bonds.
Secrets Germany Knew.
Perhaps the most serious of these
delays arose from the attitude of the
military authorities" it says, "who de-
clined to reveal to civilian postal
organization the Whereabouts of mil
itary units, in many cases until their
location had been discovered by the
enemy. There was also a good deal
Of trouble in obtaining motor trans
port, and at one time the military
lthorities undertook to take from the
bstal stations the small details of en-
sted men who were assisting in the
ork on the ground that they were
eeded for purely military service"