Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-23
Wire Control Board
Recommends Return
Systems Private Ownership

"dSnl-iStOH, May 4-IeeCOIlIIleIod.
tons of the wire control board that
legislation returning the telephone and
telegraph systems of the country 20
private ownership, provide coordinated
operation of the various systems and
fixing of rates by the Interstate Com
merce Commission, were forwarded to-
day by Postmaster General Burleson to
the House postoffice committee.
The wire boards recommendations
also include creation Of a tribunal to
hear all controversies between employ
ers and employees, and that changes IN
wages shall not lie effective until sub
mitted to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, SO that corresponding chang IS
in rates may be made.
Mere return of the wires to their
owners will not solve vexatious prob
lens confronting the companies, Mr..
Burleson said in letter to Repre-
sentative Moon of Tennessee, ranking
Democratic member Of the committee,
transmitting the recommendations.
Extraordinary costs of operation and
maintenance fastened upon them as
result of the war the Postmaster
General said. will 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 board are un-
animously of the opinion that in or
der to provide the most efficient wire
service the various servit systems
should be co-ordinated as to opera
ton. This does not require monop-
oily of ownership, but ia necessary so
there can be a consistent and har-
monious regulatory policy. Through
this means only can the attempts at
wasteful competition and the econ
omic loss occasioned by Implications
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 approx
al of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission that any telegraph and tel
ephone company doing an interstate
business may Purchase the property
OF any other telegraph or telephone
company, or consolidate with any 9TH
er company. or pool traffic, under pro-
visions which will protect the public.
should be SO amended as to empower
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion to fix rates for telegraph and
telephone companies subject to pro-
visions of the act, and that any COM
pany whose lines are located en-
tirely within a state but which trans
acts direct interstate business should
be made subject to the act"
The commissions use of it's rate
making power the letter said. would
ensure the companies sufficient reve-
nue. to yield reasonable return on
the value of property" and also to
give proper service.
Dealing with management prob
lens, Mr.. Burleson said that the
board was convinced that "a tri-
bunal should be provided upon which
the public. the employees, the man.
agerial forces and capital shall be
fairly represented and before which
all parties may be heard, so that
prompt redress may be had for just
grievances.
Changes in wage scales, it also
was suggested, should be reviewed
BY the Interstate Commerce Com
mission in order that rate altera-
tions may be made simultaneously
with the effective date Of the new
wage changes.