Arizona republican., 1919-06-06
TELEGRAPH AND PHONE CONCERNS BACK TO OWNERS
Burleson Issues Order Elf fective Immediately = Leaders Call It Physical Return with Retained Control = Rates to Be Continued as They Are
fRepubIIcan A. p. leased NVirel


 WASHINGTON, June 5.-Telegraph and telephone companies whose lines have been controlled and operated by the government since last August l. were ordered tonight to resume imme- diate operations for their own account ancy by Postmaster General Burleson. The postoffice department, under terms Of Mir Burleson's order, retains a measure of control of the services, pending final legislative action by con gress.
 Regulations prohibiting discrimina- tion against wire employees because of union affiliations, maintaining exist ing rates and charges and instructing companies to keep special accounts, to facilitate cost settlement between themselves and the government, are retained.
 MT. Burleson accompanied the order with statement giving the reasons which impelled him to take the action. He asserted that the president having recommended the return of the prop critics, the senate interstate commerce committee having indicated that i'm mediate return was advisable, and the house committee having, through hear ings manifested a desire for action to- ward that end, he felt it his duty to return operative control to the various private owners.
 Strikes threatened by the telephone and telegraph employees union had no bearing on the departments action, of ficials said
 i Board Also Abolished
 The order issued by the postmaster general abolishes the wire operating board, of which Union N Bethel of Now Work ie cha i1-r1oor h1rT rbo xr-i,-e control board, consisting of John A. Rooms, first assistant postmaster gen eral; W. P. Lamar and the statistical and legal staff, will continue to exer- else the control retained by the order until the governments connection with the wire system is ended.
 Contracts for compensation and awards by state commissions remain in effect under the order, as well as the increased toll rates, service con nection charges and special exchange rates recently authorized by the post master general. Special arrangements are provided for compensating mutual and cooperative companies.
 Members of congress who have been interested in wire control expressed great surprise when they learned of the postmaster generals action. Con gressional leaders had been proceeding on the theory that no action would be taken until legislation had been en- acted.
 With this in view, congress, early in the session which began two weeks ago, began consideration of such legis- lation. In the senate a bill for return of the wires with existing rates in eff feet for 60 days after the return was prepared by Senator Kellogg of Min nesota, and has been reported favor ably by the interstate commerce com mission. Arrangements had been made to call the bill up tomorrow in the senate. The house interstate com merce committee closed hearings on a similar measure just a few minutes be- fore Mir. Burleson made public his order.
 Congressional leaders said the order was somewhat confusing in that it re- turns physical operation of the sys- tems but retains actual control. For that reason they were reluctant to- night to express an opinion as to the , legislation that would be necessary.