The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-12-06
BIRLESlN WANTS
government TOE
KEEP TELEGRAPHS
Says Test. Has Proved
Soundness Of Public
Ownership Theory.
REPORT ON THE NAILS
Past Year Has Been Very
Active One for the
Postofice.
fRv Associated Press

WASHINGTON, Dec. 81 telephone
and telegraph lines OF the country,
now under government control, should
become government owned at the con-
clusion Of peace and the expiration
Of the provisions OF the act under
which the utilities are now controlled,
Postmaster General Burleson declares
in his annual report made public to-
day. The war has shown that govern
ment ownership OF telephones and tele-
graphs us not only sound but practi-
cable" the Postmaster General says,
IN repeating the recommendation
which he has made in previous re-
ports which he makes for the first
time as head OF the government
agency controlling the land commun1-
cation lines
The experiences as result OF the
present war have fully demonstrated
that the principle OF government own
erships 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 20 consider legislation authoriz-
ing the President to assume control
OF the telegraph and telephone sys-
tems Of the country. While such con-
rGGO4a II lS444kC404Sp G4u0 VAL S|AASS WY
until the ratification of the treaty OF
peace, yet the best results can be OBJ
tanned only when, these systems are
owned by the government, made part
of tho postal establishment, and oper-
ated solely with a view to serving the
public and not making profits or guar
anteeing returns on the investment.
Government ownership Of the tele-
graphs and telephones should not long
er=be delayed and the action Of Con-
gress in this matter IS urgently rec
Commended
Operations Of the Postoffice depart
menr for the fiscal year ending last
June 50 resulted in surplus OF re-
ceipts over expenses Of S19,979,79S, &C
eordfng to the report Approximately
$44. 100000 additional was paid over
to the Treasury from the increased
postal charges imposed for war reve
niue Total revenues OF the depart
ment from all sources during the yeaI
ARE given as $SSS975. 962, against
SS29. 726,115 for the 1917 fiscal year
Total expenditures are reported al
1924 s33,72S, against S319,S&8.71S in
191z. DiSregarding the increased
postal rates effective November 2 I'M
der, the war tax bill, the actual IN.
Ding the year is plasced at 4,41 per
cont, while expenditures increased
ss6 per cent
Mr.. BurIeson for the first time Off
ScfanY reports upon the use of air
planes for transmission Of mail, and
Royernment-owned trucks for the oper-
alton OF rural parcels-post routes dis
closing plans for wide extension OF
both facilities. He also renews his
preViously made recommendation that
postmasters now appointed by the
President should be selected under
competitive civil service examinations,
and that the four assistant postmas-
tiers general and the purchasing agent
should be- likewise selected.
The yolunr1 of mail carried during
the year was greater than ever before,
says the report, In commenting upon
the surplus earned, which 1t places at
more than double the greatest profit
ever found by the department previ-
ously. war activity in private bust
ness not alone grew, but the govern
ment itself put q tremendous burden
OF matter into the mails from the new
efforts which It built cp- Postmasters
and postoffice facilities alike were
used Tor war service that ranged from
the registration OF aliens to the sale
of thrift stamps and government
bonds
Among new facilities the report
asks Is an appropriation OF $1,50O,000
Tor the construction Of a subway be-
tween the Grand Central Station in
New York and the Pennsylvania Ter
.Ilina1 Office, replacing the discarded
system Of pneumatic tubes. and de-
Vfsed to relieve congestion Author |
sfty Is also asked for the establishment
6f,a guaranty fund within the depart
ment with which to bond employees !
handling money and valuables. This |
Is advocated to relieve premium charg- |
e. which are said by the report to be !