The daily banner., 1919-05-23

SUGGESTS LABOR TRIBUNAL
Postmaster General Would Have
Congress Sanction Mergers and
Pooling of Interests.

Washington, May 23.-Recommcii-
dations of the wire control board tha'
legislation returning the telephone
and telegraph systems of the country
to private ownership co-ordinated OPP
,eration Of the various systems and
fixing of rates by the Interstate com
merce commission We're forwarded by
Postmaster General, Burleson to the
house pOstoffice committee.
The wire boards recommendations
also include creation of Il tribunal to
hear all controversies between enl-
ployers and employees, and that chang
eS in wage schedules shall not become
effective until submitted to the inter
state commerce commission so that
corresponding changes may be made
in rates.
Mere return of the wires to their
owners will not solve vexatious prob
lens confronting the companies, Mr..
Burleson said in his letter to Repre-
sentative Moon, of Tennessee, rank
ing Democratic member of the COM
mittee, transmitting the recommends
tions. Extraordinary costs of oper-
alton and maintenance fastened upon
them as result of the war;" the post
master general said, twill continue for
some time after control passes from
the government"
because of these extraordinary
changes in the operating conditions OF
these properties" the letter continued
"a serious responsibility rests upon
the government to adopt every means
possible consistent with sound policy
to protect the public and enable own
ers to operate their properties.
"The members of the hoard are
unanimously of the opinion that in
order to provide the most efficient
wire service, the various service sys-
tens should be cp-ordinated as to Op,
GRAFTON. This does not require mo-
nopOly of ownership, but is necessary
so there can be consistent and har
moni0us regulatory policy.
Through this means only can the
attempts of wastefui competition and
the economic loss occasioned by dupli
cations of plant and force be avoided
1t is believed that this is desirable
and can be reached by amending the
law so as to provide, subject to the
approval of the interstate commerce
commission, that any telegraph and
telephone company doing an inter
state business may purchase the prop
erty of any other telegraph or tele-
phone company or consolidate with
any other company or pool traffic, un.
der provisions which will protect the
public.
"Hence, it is believed that the law
should he so amnded as TO empower
the interstate commerce commission
to fix rates for telegraph and tela-
phone companies subject to provisions
of the act, and that any company
whose lines are located entirely with
in a state, but which transacts direct
interstate business should he made
subject to the act"
The commissions use of its rate
IlldhlHS power, Tie ltlltI SftIi, N'u'i
insure the companies sufficient rev.
nue. to "yield a reasonable return on
the value of property" and also to
give proper service.
Dealing with management problems
Mr.. Burleson said that the board was
convinced that "a tribunal should be
provided unon which the public, the
employe, the managerial force and
capital shall be fairly represented. and
before which all parties may be heard
so that prompt redress may he had
for just grievances"
Chances in wage scales, 1t also was
suggested. should he reviewed by the
interstate commerce commission il
order that rate alterations may ht
made simultaneously with the electiv,
date of the new wage changes