Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-23
BURLESON RECOMMENDS
WIRE CONTROL MEASURE
Would Turn Back Systems TO
Owners With Certain Rate
Restrictions.
PROBLEMS FACING COMPANIES
Extraordinary Cost of Operation
and Maintenance as Result Of
War, viii Continue for Some
Time, Says POstmaster.Gcncral
lEY Associated PICS ]

WASHINGTON. May 22-Rccommen-
dattons of the wire control board that
legislation returning the telephone and
telegraph systems of the country to
private ownership. provide o-ordin ted
operation OF the various systems. and
hAinS OF rates by the interstate Com
mcrcc Commission were forwarded to-
day by Postmastcr-C;cncra Burlcson
to the House Post-Oiiice Committee
me wire boards recommendations
Ilso include creation of Il tribunal TO
near all controversies between en-
paoSers and employees. and that
changes IN wage schedules shall NOT
Income effective until submitted To the
Interstate Commerce Commission so
,mal corresponding changes may be
Hhnc III rates.
Mere return Of tho wires TO their
owners viii not solve vcxatious prob-
,,cinH confronting the companies Mir
huricSon said in his letter to Rcnre-
sentative Moon, Of Tennessee ranging
democratic member of the committee
Irrramsnll,,inr the recommendation
maintenance fastened upon them as =
result OF war" the Postmastcr-Gcneral
.ai" VIII continue for some time ar
lncnt." ~ '' -
Changes I'm the Operations.
becausc oil these extraordinary
|"anscs IN the operating conditions OF
lHcSc properties" the letter continued
a serious responsibility rests unon
nc government TO adopt every means
possible consistcn, With sound policv
II
'Ia 70 op"rat: their properties.
The members o! the board are
mna,ninously Of the opinion that. in
rider to 4providc the most efficient wire
service, tho various service systems
mould be CO ordinated as to operation
.y ,,n noes no, require monopoly Of
-" isHlp' nut is necessary so there
u. consistent and harmonious
regulatory policy. Through this means
nniE can INC attempts ~ wasteful com
Nilti3h and the economic loss occa-
a nj. nd
iofcc b" avoided II is believed that
ms Ia desirable. and can be reached
un!ec' TO the approval Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission, that any
,.lcsraph and telephone doing AN inter
"rty Of any other telegraph or ;eIe
pnpt!' company or consolidate with any
"lhcr company or pool traffic. under
public nc
Hence. !, is believed tina, the law
shoNla be SO amended as TO empower
10 tx rates for telegraph and tciephonn
companies subject 10 provisions Of the
act ana that any company whose lines
are ,1cared entirely within State, but
"hich ,ransacts direct interstate bust
n'ss: should be made subject to the
The COMMISSIONS use OF its rate.
insure the Conpa MES sufficient revenue
10 Weld reasonable return on the
proper service"
Dealing with management problems.
MI; BurlSson said that the board was
convinced that q tribunal should be
provided upon which the public the
employee. the managerial force and
capital shall be fairly represented. and
before which all parties may he
heard SO that prompt redress may be
had for just grievances"
Changes in wage scales. Il also was
suggested. should be reviewed by the
interstate Commerce Commission IN
order that rate alterations may he
made simultaneously with the effective
date of the new wage changes