The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-06
BURLES0N IS.
CHARGED WITH
PASSING BUCK
Order Returning Wires "Flim-
Flam," Phone Official Says.
He Merely Turns Back Respon-
sibility, Says Kingsbury.
WON'T AFFECT LEGISLATION
Congress VIII Go Ahead and
Repeal Law Anyway.
Senator Watson Says p. G. Is
DOdging Strike Issue.
Order Returning Wires "Flim.
Flam," Phone Official Says.
He Merely Turns Back RespOn-
sibility, Says Kingsbury.
WON'T AFFECT LEGISLATION

Washington, June 6.-Unanimous
decision to press legislation for repeal
of the wire control resolution despite
Postmaster General Burleson's order
returning telegraph and telephone
properties to private operation was
reached today by the senate interstate
commerce committee. Chairman Cum
minis announced the bill would be
called up in the senate next week.
After a further hearing today, how
ever, the committee amended the bill
so as to continue existing telephone
toll rates in effect for ninety days
after the wires are turned back in
stead Of sixty days as originally pro-
posed.
Washington, June 6-That Post
master General Burleson still controls
telegraph and telephone wires; that his
order restoring control to the owners
was film flam" and designed to pass
the buck on the wire strike" were
thoughts advanced today as the SEN
ate interstate commerce committee
met to consider wire legislation.
N. C. Kingsbury. vice president of
the American Telephone & Telegraph
yesterday wiped out the operating
board only and allowed the companies
to take charge of actual operations"
But the postmaster general, he said,
still holds control over the wires with
the wire control board, of which he is
chairman"
Then his order was simply piece
of film flam,' said Senator Kellogg.
chairman of the committee. TT
doesn't amount to anything"
Pass Buck on Strike?
Wasn't its purpose, perhaps, to
pass the buck on the strike? ?" asked
Seantor Watson.
Kingsburv asserted there has been
an error in the official statement is
sued last night by the postoffice de-
partment.
The publicity bureau in it's heading
written over the text of Mr.. Burleson's
order was unfortunately misleading"
Kingsbury declared.
1T stated that the telegraph and
telephone wires were being returned to
their respective owners by Burleson.
The publicity department tried to re-
call this heading but apparently it was
too late as the statement already had
been sent out"
Federal Control Remains.
Senator Kellogg began by asking
kingsbury if the order meant relin-
quishment of federal control.
NO" answered Kingsbury.
Then Burleson turned back the re-
sponsiDlHty ana Kept the control,
Kellogg observed.
The order merely means that the
companies will now operate their own
wires for the postmaster general"
Kingsbury explained. We will still
have to report to the wire control
board
Has More Power.
1.-THE authority of the operating
board is now transferred to the post
master general" Senator Fernald,
Maine, suggested.
'Exac city," answered Kingsbury.
"Burleson still has the same powers
over the companies as he had before %
| Kellogg asked.
Yes" replied Kingsbury.
Wilson Was Consulted
That President Wilson was consult
| ed by Postmaster General Burleson be-
| fore the order was issued returning
control of the wires to their owners
was accepted here today as certain.
President Wilson. it is known. sent
over the order some weeks ago which
| resulted in Burleson announcing that
/ the wires would be returned soon.
Burleson himself. in letter to the
! committee today, expressed desire
to correct any impression that he had
| turned back anything but control of
! operation. So after adopting an
| amendment to continue existing rates
for ninety days instead of sixty days,
: as pTONlu0u III IUc OIlS4Itdl
! the committee decided to stand pat
| on the Kellogg wire return measure
as submitted to the senate.
! BurlesOn's Letter.
| Burleson's letter to the committee
follows:
"An order issued by me relative to
. the operation of the telegraph and
| telephone system. has been construed
J by some as actual return of the prop
! critics to the owners. No such action
/ had been taken by me nor is any con-
/ templated. This order simply dissolves
the operating board appointed by me
under date of December 13, 1918. and
directs that the systems be again
operated by the regular operating Of
/ ficials under government supervision.
Responsibility of the government
! to these sytems in no wise ceases.
| 1T being evident that these proper
+, ties are to be returned in the very
/; near future, it was necessary for the
postmaster general to take steps i'm
mediately to set up the regular oper-
ating organization of the companies
so that when the properties are turn
| ed back it can be done without con-
fusion or interruption to the service
was the purpose of the order.
Doesn't Affect Legislation.
This order in no wise affects tht
Legislation pending before your com
mittee or before congress. 1t will
enable the companies to begin steps
imme ediately to prepare the data anc
collect their information to be sub.
mitted to the state commissions fol
the rate cases. which will probably b'
taken up Immediately after the period
of government control ends.
'T am attaching copies of the order
and statement made by me at th'
time same was issued"