Tombstone epitaph., 1919-06-01
ASK RELIEF MEASURE
 UPON RETURN OF LINES

OpON hetOHN Of LINES
 Manager II. Smart of the local Of fee of the Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company has received a copy of letter which was recently sent to members of Congress by Theo. x. Vail, president of the American Telephone X Telegraph Company. and G. w. Robinson. president of the U. $. Independent Telephone association. urging upon the members of Congress that proper measures be passed at the telephone companies to handle their business satisfactory and at a reason able prof; after it's return from the government. Following is the let ter:
 To the members of the Senate and
 House of Representatives:
 On midnight. July $1. 1918, under the authority of Congress for war purposes, the President took supery: | sion, possession. control and operation Of the telephone systems of the coun- try and has since operated them. The war has practically ceased The pub lice press is strongly demanding. the general pubic and the owners of the telephone properties are urging. tha: they be returned as speedily as pos sible. that former conditions may be restored and more satisfactory service he afforded The President and the Pos;mas;er-General have announced that this will be done as soon as adequate arrangements be providei i for receiving and simultaneously op- erai:ng them IL remains only tor Con gress to enact such legislation as specify as possible.
 The expenses or these systems have largely increased during the past year, for wages alone at tie rate Of more than s20.000.0 .0oO per annum. This was inevitable and necessary by reas on of larger proportional increases by the railroads end industries Of the country The revenues are inadequate ,o care for such increases. and the de felt of the Government on that ac. count to date is large and steadily in. creasing The Postmaster-General ordered that steps be taken 10 secure adequate revenues. but contentious with the regulatory authorities Of the States, not yet settled. have prevented such adjustments.
 If such conditions continue, neces. sar.ly the credit of the operating com panies will be impaired. proper ex penses cannot be met. the best operat. ing forces capno, De retained, needed ex'elsions and satisfactory service cannot be provided. 4 deterioration will ensue which in some localities may threaten recurrence to public ownership or operation in order to care, even inadeQuate,y. for public needs. By prompt action Congress car prevent this contingency
 Just and speedy settlements should be made for all properties taken un der the existing law. that such bal ances now in the possession of the Government may be restored to as sist in the upbuilding and extension c, the various systems for better pub lie use. The conditions and regulatio of operation should be clearly defined So as to permit the companies 10 re establish and maintain a satisfactor; service with reasonable rates withou; discrimination and procure the bene fits of legitimate competition. The principal operating companies of the United States are vitally interested in cooperating with Congress and the officials of the Government to accom- piish these results.
 THEO. N VAIL,
 President American Telephone ( Telegraph Company.
 C. w. ROBINSON,
 President U. S. Independent Tele phone Association.
 AME BIC AM KIl En-