Evening journal., 1919-07-31
WIRES GO BACK To
OWNERS TONIGHT
P. NJ. Burlesou Issues Or
der Making Elective
Congress Bill
COMP ANIES TO
COLLECT DEBTS

WASHINGTON. July 3i-Postmaster-
General Burleson has issued formal
order making effective Congress- bin re-
turning telephone and telegraph sys-
tens to private ownership at midnight
tonight
All companies under Government con-
troll. said Burleson, with vhichcompen-
saiion has not been fixed or concluded.
should at once take up their compensa-
tions With Chairman Lamar. Of the
finance committee Of the Wire Control
Board. This. he said is In order that
he may make his report TO Congress
upon the operation Of the wire systems
by November 4, 1919 as required By
law
Under Burleson's order all companies
are directed TO close their books at The
hour Of return and TO proceed prompt
~ 10 collect an outstanding Indebted
ness and accounts arising out OF the
operation OF the systems during the
period OF government controls They
must submit a full account 10 Lamar
al The earliest practicable Time.
All companies who have an excess
over their allowed compensation must
transmit the excess 10 Lamar within
Ave days after the ascerlalnlng Of the
amount due.
Burleson declared that all books and
accounts kept during the period OF
government control must be preserved
bv the companies and shall continue
under the control and supervision OF
Lamar. They shall, at all times, he
added be subject TO examination by
the auditors and accountants Of The wire
control board
In a statement accompanying his or
der. Burleson said
"Wiih the Issuance Of order No 1880,
providing for The Auditing and Account /
ing Division. the flrst government con
troll Of The wire systems Of America IS I
hroughi 10 an end. Sound public opin-
ion VIII ultimately determine how TINS
trust has been met and the Postmaster
general Is content 10 abide TIE result
During government control lust m I
crease Of wagrEfor operatives mas Deen
made IN an eases where they were de- /
served and where the revenues Of the
companies permitted Their ~ be made. /
n Is a source of qualification that the l
National independent Telephone Asso-
ciation. on June 26 and July y, 1912
unanimously endorsed The governments !
control as wise. just and partial And
the greatest living wire expert In re-
port July Is. 1919. TO the stockholders
Of his company. representing nearly ~
Der cent Of the telephone service OF our
rounirv said: There has been no pol !
icv adopted by the Postmaster general
during The period OF Federal control
which was not in the interest OF tho
service and with which your organlza-
lion has NOT been in fun accord. This
co-operation has resulted In The main
tenance of The service at the highest
standard possible under the extremely I
ar,luons conditions. 10 is gratifying now
10 slate that your property has been
maintained and win be returned IN as
good physical condition as though u
had never been out OF your possession
increases or telegraph and telephone
rates have been made during govern
mcnt control, but the percentage OF
such an Increase markedly less than tle
average of increases OF rates made our
ing the same period for other pubic
utility services, and but Tor court IN
functions IN eighteen States, insusateu !
by state utility commissions, the wire
svs,ems would have been returned 10
their owners without any oplgatons :
IN the Federal treasury because OF com ,
pcnSdtlOn toHNIdDANs /
"The P0stmaster-General desires to ,
express TO the officers OF the various ,
telegraph and telephone companies his !
grateful appreciation Of the uniform CO. !
operation given during the period OF ,
control 10 is source OF
qualification and pride to thin That, 4
with one notable exception, the reason }
Tor which Is thoroughly understood by r
those who have kept Informed, that I
every wire company has given him loyal
cooperation during the period OF stress n
through which he controlled the wire :
systems Of our country. This co-opera-
lion has resulted In the work Of the
being made quite
EASY and has enabled him 20 derive an !,
amount Of genuine pleasure and enjoy I
ment from the task that was imposed
upon him. which was not in the slight
est marred, save by the controversy
with the one company above referred TO.
The Iabors OF the Postmaster-Gen. are
brought to an end with a consciousness 9,
on his part OF having at all times ad-
ministered these wire systems with jus
tlce and fairness to the employees and
he owners OF these properties and in
such way as 10 render the best service
possible to the general public under
abnormal conditions. .,
The Postmaster-General will be ready
20 report to Congress on November
iext as required by law"