The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-04-01
Effective Today Domestic TeIe-
graph Service Comes at a
Higher Price.
TWENTY PER CENT ADDED
Advance Barely Sufficient. Bur-
Lesson Says, to Meet the In
creased Cost of Operation of
the Lines.

the Lines.
Washington, April Increase OF
20 per cent in domestic telegraph
rates effective April 1 has been an
nounced by Postmaster General
Burleson.
The increase was agreed upon at
meeting OF the federal wire board
and was made necessary. Mr.. Burle-
sons announcement said to meet.
the increased cost OF operation. oc-
casioned by wage increases now i'm
effect. made during { past year"
Mr. Burleson added that the advance
would be barely sufficient" for this
purpose
The order affects both government
and commercial messages. but it was
announced that there would be no
increase in special press rates for
newspapers or in charges for spe-
cial wires leased by press associa-
tions and newspapers.
Under the order. however, COM
mercial and government leased wires
will be charged for at an advance
Of 20 per cent over existing rates,
whether such wires be furnished by
a telegraph or telephone system un-
der government control.
Mr.. Burleson's order follows:
THE following schedule of domes-
tic commercial telegraph rates shall
be effective from April l. 1919, and
continued until otherwise ordered:
Present rate:
25--2 cents each additional word.
hSo--2 cents each additional word.
| 3h-2 cents each additional word
40 cents each additional word.
50--3 cents each additional word.
60--4 cents each additional word.
. 75--5 cents each additional word.
! 1OO-7 cents each additional word.
New rate:
! 3O--2. . cents each additional word.
| 36--2.5 cents each additional word.
I42-2.5 cents each additional word.
4s- 3.5 cents each additional word,
/ SO 2 5 cents each additional word
SO cents each additional, word
( 12O-S5 cents each additional word.
Day letters and nieht letters
. shall be computed as at present buG
/ charged for on the basis OF the above
rates. Night messages will be-
charged for at an increase of 30 pe-.
cent over existing night rates.
i Commercial and government lels-
/ ed wires shall be charged at an adj.
vance OF 90 per cent over existing
leased wire rates. whether sucI,
wires he furnished at a telegraph
or a telephone system under gov
/ eminent control
THE telegraph rates for domes-
tic United States government tele-
grams are increased 20 per cent
/ over the present government rate.
The rate increases herein order
ed are made necessary to meet the
/ increased cost % operation occas-
stoned by wage increases now in
effect made during the past year and
are barely sufficient for the pur-
! pose"
Mr.. Burleson's order was issued
| by the department without COM
ment, other than the explanation
that the increase would not affect
press rates and charges on wires
leased 20 newspapers and press as
sociations.
Increased wages for employees OF
All departments Of telegraph systems
under federal control except en-
ployees at "non-functionar' Offices
and messengers. became effective
last December l Employees in SER
vice more than a year and half re-
ceived an increase of 10 per cent
and those employed less than a year
and half 5 per cent
New York, April Removal OF
Postal Telegraph Cable company Of
hcials last week bv Postmaster Gen.
eral Burleson was intended tc pavs
the way for the increased telegram
rates announced by him. declared