Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-05
Mr.. Burleson's Adventure


from tine new oIk 'mcv.
Inherent probability supports the belief that
the pre sident, not Postmaster General Burleson
was the first to direct the return Of the cables
and the telegraph and telephone lines to their
owners. If upon some watchtower IN the land
the president has trusted political adviser
that sentinel if faithful, could not have failed
to advise Mr.. Wilson that Mr.. Burlesons per.
formances with the wires were much disllked
by the people, were turning them against the
democratic party, arc were playing the mischief
with the party's chances of success in the great
struggle OF next year. But the question who
gave the formal order or first made the recon-
mendation that the government relinquish its
The people of the United States made that de-
csion, they gave the order, it has been obeyed.
No administration in its senses would have stood
out against the popular behest.
Thus ends in abject and exemplary failure
the postmaster generals adventure in govern
ment ownership. 1t is remarkable example
and lesson in the prompt forming and express
sion OF public opinion, in the rapidity with which
the people Of this country make up their minds
upon any matter of general concern when they
understand it. In the matter of government
operation OF the railroads, the wire systems and
the cables the opportunity for full understand
ing was put before the people from the very
roads, telcgraphs, telephones and cables are in
struments familiar and necessary to practically
the whole population From the farmers Of
the west, from the shippers Of both coasts and
the whole interior, from all classes who use
the railroads either for business or for pleasure
has come general complaint of much greater
cost and inferior service under federal control
Moreover the appalling financial results of that
control have given cause for serious anxiety
to business men and lawmakers alike, as we'll
as to taxpayers, for it very early became evil
dent that sharp advances in rates would never
meet the increase in operating costs due to re-
peated and large additions to wages. The
monthly railway reports have long made it evil
dent that, if widespread disaster was to be avoid
ID, remedial legislation would be imperatively
necessary before the railway systems can be re
turned to private ownership. That is one of
the great problems that will confront the next
congress- 1t must be solved, for the railroads
must be given up by the government-the peo-
pie are resolved as to that.
Mr. Burleson's escapade has brought down
upon the administration criticism severer even
than that occasioncd by the taking over of the
railroads He has not avoided trouble, he has
seemed actually to seek it, to try to make it by
his arbitrary and rough methods. He has been
involved in continual quarrels. AS in the case of
the railways, complaints of bad service and in
efficiency have multiplied and he has stirred up
deal OF litigation. The power of the courts
has been invoked to resist his DEGREES for the
raising of rates; he has brought the wire sys-
d
of which the effects will long be evident
The need of this assumption of power was
never made clear, it has certainly not been JUS
tiled by its results As to the cables, Mr.. Burle-
san has been on the defensive from the begin
ming. There was no war need involved, for they
were not taken over until the war was ended;
there has never been any satisfactory explana-
ton of why the order, somewhat furtvely pro-
mulgated on November 10, was dated November
2-before the armstice. The public has had its
suspicious which have not been dispelled. 1t
may be said without any fear of contradiction
that nothing which has beeh done during the
period of government control of the wires has
given such general and profound satisfaction
as the announcement that as soon as possible
they are to be returned to their owners.
This is personal defeat for Mr.. Burleson,
who has publicly and repeatedly declared him
self to be an advocate OF government owner
ship of the telegraphs and telephones. Evil
dence of his belief that his seizure of the lines
would result in permanent control is afforded by
his recent formulation OF grotesque financial
plan to reimburse the owners of the telegraphs
and telephones without cost to the government
The experiment comes to an end in failure and
under public condemnation of it in theory, prac-
postmaster general will be cheerful under this
public rebuff, but it is lesson by which he and
all concerned may we'll profit. But after all,
we find some reason for being grateful to Post
master General Burleson. He has offered him
self up as sacrifice upon the altar of govern
ment ownership, as it happened, at fortunate
The minds of men have been much
upset by the disturbances Of war, and many of
them have dreamed dreams and seen visions of
a new order in the social, business and political
relations of men. But for this venture in gov
eminent control and operation Of railroads and
wire communications there would have been a
flood Of talk about the blessings of state So
cialism. We have had our experience, it was
short and sharp, Our demonstration, which is
The people have rendered their
verdict of practically unanimous condemnation.