Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-17
ASKS GOVERNMENT
TAKE OVER WIRES
Can Be Paid For in Twenty
Years, Says Postmas-
ter-General.
BACKS MOON RESOLUTION
Cites Constitution as Authority
for Government TAX
ing Control.

WASHINGTON. December IG-Post-
master-General Burleson declared to-
day unqualifedly for government
ownership and operation of the tele-
phone and telegraph systems OF the
country as a permanent policy.
The declaration was made in let
ter 10 Congressman John A. Moon
chairman Of the House Committee on
Post-Oifices and Post Roads and au-
thor of the resolution proposin.- an
praisal OF the properties with a view
to purchase by the government.
Mr. Mr t surieson puts the wire system,
system. and says the same reason for
government operation of the postal sys-
tenn applies.
system he says without the app-o-
priation Of a dollar from the Treasury
and can pay for them out of savings
made through elimination Of dupIi-
cations in plants and operating ex-
penscS.
To turn back the wire systems to
private control now would result in
serious loss to investors and in detrl-
inent 10 service. the Postmaster-Gen-
eral says. although this must be done
upon pr"mni cation Of peace unless new
He advocates Immediate passage OF
the Moon resolution to extend the
period Of government control.
The function of transmitting intel
liSence must necessarily he n monopoly.
and must he exercised by the govern
ment, the Postmaster General says.
Mr.. Burieson disclairns the proposed
policy as a party question. pointing
out that the Constitution gives au-
thority for governmental control OF
means of communication, and implies
obligation by the government to pro
vide the means. When the Morse syS-
tenn was in it's infancy, in 1874. he
says. Congress made an appropriation
for the purpose of acquiring It, and
since 1871 more than seventy bills have
been introduced in Congress TO pur
chase the telegraph lines and more
ported favorably by Senate and House
committees.
The progress end prosperity of the
nation are dependent upon inexpensive
means of communication between and
among people" says Mr.. Burleson. "I;x-
tension of the wire service should be
determined by public use. not the op-
portunity for private gain.
Theodore \. Vail, president of the
american Telephone and Telegraph
Company is quoted By Mr.. Burleson
tenn.
The government alone" then says
Mr.. Burlcson. can safely exercise
right OF monopoly such as the wire SER
vice calls for. but some plan of or
ganization should be devised which will
combine all the advantages and the
without losing the benefits Of the. ex-
perience of the best operation which
our industrial world has demonstrated
10 be advantageous
The entire telephone and telegraph
systems can be paid for through an
amortization fund in twenty-five years
without increasing the rates to the
public and at the same time develop
Il national wire system available for
the use of every community in the
country. he says:
Private capital, he points out. ex-
poets return of or per cent. while
the government can borrow at l-2
per cent. The difference. he says.
would maintain and pay for the prop
erty in eighteen years and nine months.