Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-25
WIRE COMBINATION

Mr.. Burleson continues his work Of combining wire
transmission companies in such a way that it is going
to he difficult to unscramble them If that Is attempted.
1t is unfortunate for the whole country that the post
master general has been unable to resist the temptation
to pervert war legislation to purposes for which it was
never intended in order to accomplish objects OF an en-
tirely different character, and which should have been
attained, il at all, by entirely other means.
There are all sorts Of views relating to the public
ownership and operation Of the machinery Of business,
whether Of production or of distribution. There are
those who advocate the public ownership of practically
everything. Their opposites would have the government
undertake nothing whatever in the line Of business ae-
tivity. Between these are all shades Of opinion. There
has been a good deal of sentiment in favor Of the public
ownership and operation Of the telegraph and telephone
through the machinery which already exists under con-
troll Of the postof6ce department. Many who have been
opposed to public Ownership Of other great utilities have
favored this, recognizing q relationship between the bust
ness of the postofnce and that of the wire transmission
Of intelligence which does not exist in other fields. But
thus far congress has declined to make provision for this
change.
The war came, and with it arose the need for the as
sumption by the government Of powers vastly greater
than most Of US desire to have the government exercise
under normal conditions. Authority had to be central
lied, and industries had Immediately to be taken over
and operated for and by the government: This need was
versa FecoSHizeu' aho, Wnie not all were agreed As
to the precise methods to be employed, there was prac-
tically universal agreement that the federal government
should enter any field which it might find it necessary
to enter for the effective prosecution of war work. Au-
thortty was given for the taking over Of the telegraph
and telephone, but, strangely enough, the most impor-
tAnt part Of this work is being undertaken BY the post
master general after the war is over. and when the need
for it has entirely disappeared.
MI. Burleson wants to make the telegraph and tee-
phone business part Of the permanent business Of the
postofice department Perhaps he is right, notwith-
Standing the deplorable record that the government has
MADE IN the handling Of this work thus far. But IL he
~ right. 1t would be more manly and more business like
to 80 before the country with the presentation Of the
plan az . permanent business policy on its merits. rather
than to seek to bring 1t about secretivsIy and indirectly
ly creating conditions under authority, Of var lertsla-
tion which will practically force upon the country the
retention Of this business for ali time. The question lust
now is not ~ to the soundnesa Of the policy Of govern
rnent ownership. II 10 os Of good faith In using war
LEGISLATION ~ 1t was intended. for the necessary business
aaf war. and Of presenting regular businssu poncie, on
their own merits.
The Townisy managers are not likely to be pleassd
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