Evening journal., 1919-08-01
WIRES RETURNED;
POSTAL CUTS RATE
Cuts Charge a Fifth. Drop
ping Increase Burleson
Imposed
MAY BE ONLY
I E Nj PO R A z 7

NEW YORK, Aug. 1.-The telegraph
and telephone wires Of the United
states passed from governmental con-
troll back to their private owners at i2
O'Clock last night.
The New York Telephone Company,
the Western Union and The Postal
Telegraph Company issued statements
last night dealing with the resumption
OF private control. Clarence H. Mackay,
nresident Of the Postal system, an
nouncod that his company had made a
20 per cent. cut in telegraph rates all
over the United States, thus restoring
the rates TO what they were before
postmaster-General Burleson. took over
ehe wires. At the Same Time how
ever. he indicated that this reduction
would be only temporary, stating that
n faxes and expenses continue TO in
crease 70 will be necessary 90 restore
the rates established by the govern
mcnt
The statement by Newbomb Carlton.
president OF the Western Union said
that in view Of present conditions that
company would not reduce rates, as 1t
was unable % do better than il is doing
at present.
Mr.. Wackay's Statement.
Mr. Mackay said
In accordance with ITS promise to
the public. the Postal 1elegraph-C
Company at midnieht tonight VIII re-
duce telegraph rates throughout the
United States 20 per cent by cutting on
tho % per cent. increase which POST
master General BurlesOn put into ef-
feet April 4. including leased wire
rates. and restoring raics TO what they
were before Mr.. Burleson seized the
lines. In doing this we wish 10 stale
that n taxes and expenses continue TO
increase n will be necessary for The
company 10 ask the indulgence Of the
public in again advancing telegraph
rates for Che whole or a part OF this
20 per cent
"In order 20 continue to give fast
service. the present rates on Interstate
night lettcrgrams win not be disturbed
for the present. We expect 90 reduce
those ratrs n little later.
"The return Of the wires tonight 10
their o,vuors marks Che end OF an
epoch and OF this cOmpany's 0ght
against a powerful effort by the POST
mastcr-General and our opponents, The
Bell Telephone Western Union Com
panies. TO eliminate the composition Of
the pospl Telegraph Gable Company
10 was a ileht wasod against heavy
odds. hut we had The wholcheartcd
support Of the public and the press,
and for This ] am deeply grateful
Mr.. Cartoons Statement
The statement by Mr.. Carlton said:
The Western Union wires reach %
J2l communities. The only other tcle-
graph system reaches 100 commune
lies. or less than s per cent. OF the
total number served by The Western
Union The Offices in over 10000 small
communities exclusively served by our
wires are essential 90 the country az
large and must be maintained If the
Western Union restricted IFS business
to those communities only between
which service is profitable. then some
2oe0 places now q part OF The national
system would have no telegraph ser
vice whatever
"Ne feel that The public Is primarily.
interested in the adequacy Of telegraph
service. Having IN mind the greatly
increased cost Of everything that en-
ters into that service. il is hoped That
The telegraph using public Will CON
slider The adequacy and quality OF ser
vice and the liberality OF treatment OF