Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-05-02
WILL SURRENDER Wires
Mr.. BufleSOn Makes an Important
Announcement
Federal CONTROL NO LONGER NEEDED

Postmaster General Makes an Import
ant Announcement, the Full Meaning
of Which is Probably Subject to (;
Variety Of Opinions.
Washington, April 2S.-The govern
ment Is preparing to relinquish con
troll next month Of American cabl,
lines and to restore the telegraph ant
telephone systems to private owner
ship Immediately after enactment b!
congress Of laws necessary to safe
guard the properties.
Postmaster General Burleson, as di
recting head of the extensive wir'
communication service taken over a.
war measure, announced today HI
had sent to President Wilson q recon-.
mendation that the cables be returned
back forthwith, probably not latel
than May 10. An hour after the post
master general gave out a statemen
saying he would recommend that th'
telegraph and telephone service be re-
turned to private ownership, contin'
gent, however, on financial protection
to be obtained from congress.
It was explained by Mr.. Burlesor
that no legislation was necessary in tht
case of the cable company properties
Lessening of the traffic borne by tht
cables and other circumstances arisint
from transition to peace basis, Mr.
Blrleson said, had resulted in his rec.
ommendation to the president that tht
line be no longer operated by the gov
ernment. His announcement follows
"The postmaster general has recon-
mended to the president that the gov
ernment return the cable lines to theil
respective owners. This action is made
possible by the fact that the congestion
resulting from war conditions has
largely passed. The enemy CONNER
cial blacklist has been abolished and
the tremendous volume Of government
cable messages from and to the wal
trade board have ceased. The bar tc
commerce code messages has been re-
moved thus materially lessening thu
cable loads. The use Of the cables II
connection with the peace conference
have been greatly diminished.
"The postmaster general hopes tha'
the return Of the cables may be erect
i've not later than May 10.
Up to Congress.
In the matter Of land service, how
ever the solution Of the problem vii
be put squarely up to congress. Com
ing so soon after the recommendation
in his annual report that the telephone
and telegraph lines become govern
ment owned at the conclusion Of peace
the postmaster generals statemen
created unusual interest in some quar-
ters. The statement follows:
1.-THE postmaster general will recon-
mend that the telegraph and telephone
lines be restored to their respective
owners as soon as legislation can b.
secured from congress safeguarding
the interest Of the owners in ever!
way that it is possible to safeguard
them.
1.-THE information Of the postmastel
general as to the condition of the Wir'
companies convinces him that 1t Is i'm
perative that such legislative actor
must be had before the various tele
phone and telegraph lines are returned
This is not true as to the CABLE
lines, which are in a condition to of
returned at once"
Postofflce officials who have aidet
in control Of the telegraph and tele
phone companies expressed the belle
that few of the companies coule
weather the financial storm If th'
| properties were turned back withou
remedial legislation. Some official
said that while the properties must b.
returned in the same physical condi
ton in which they were taken over, II
do this now, without added revenue II
meet wage demands and increased cos
of operation would wreck the entir'
industry.
Officials responsible for the actua
MANAGEMENT Of the properties undel
government control declined, however
to suggest exactly what sort Of legisla
ton would be necessary. Republican
in congress have made no secret o.
their intention at the forthcoming ex
ira session to press for tho immediate
return Of the service to private man
agement. Leaders in this movemen
have asserted that In so doing the!
would endeavor to protect the com
panies' interests.
Taken Over in July.
BY proclamation Of the president th'
entire wire service, with the exception
of cable lines, was taken over by thu
government on July 81 last and placee
under the direction Of the postoffict
department. The proclamation as tt
cable control, as shown by postoffict
department files, was signed by ths
president on November q, put no oil
nouncement as to this action was made
until after the signing Of the armistice
on November II.
Taking over of the cable system:
was followed by'a controversy between
the postmaster general and Clarence
H. Mackey, president Of the CONNER
cial Cable company, which resulted ir
the dismissal Of Mr.. Mackey by Mr.
Burleson.
Further controversy involved the
Postal Telegraph company, when or
ficials of that company objected to the
postmaster generals plans to amalga'
mate the Postal company with the
Western Union. AS a result OF thu
controversy Mr.. Burleson dismissed
from government service Edward Rey'