The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-02

the telegraph telephone ana capie bys-
tems of the country; and
Whereas the emergency that led
the Government five days after the sign
ing of the armistice to take over the
cable systems must now have immeasur-
ably subsidized; and
Whereas the experience Of business
men generally with the service rendered
by public utilities recently taken over by
the Government has strengthened con-
viction previously deepseated and wide |
spread that Government ownership OF
such utilities should be limited TO the
field occupied prior to the war and the
experiences OF nine months have created
an equally profound conviction that Gov
eminent operation of such utilities should
be discontinued at the earliest possible
date and
whereas in the proclamation issued
by the President OF the United States on
the 22d of July. 1918. taking over the
land telegraph and telephone systems
Of the country. he said this. among other
things:
by subsequent order OF said Post
master General supervision, possession,
control or operation may DO relinquished
in whole or in part to the owners thereof
Of any telegraph or telephone system or
any part thereof, supervision, posses
sion or control OF which Is hereby as
sumed or which may be subsequently
assumed in whole or In part hereunder :
and '...'..
whereas on April 2s. 1919, Post
master General Burleson announced that
he had recommended to President Wilson
| the return of the ocean cables to their
owners, and would recommend that the
| telegraph and telephone lines also be re-
turned as soon as Liquidation could be
obtained from Congress safeguarding the
| owners.
Tried TO Extend Control,
| Whereas the Postmaster General
| further stated that he hoped to return
the cable lines to their owners not later
than May 10 and It Ia now seni-offi-
cially indicated that the cable lines are
to be returned on Friday. the I'd. at
midnight; ard -
whereas Federal control over the
telegraph and telephone lines ceases au-
| Dramatically upon the proclamation by
the President OF the exchange Of ratih-
| cation of the peace treaty and
| whereas the Postmaster General
through Judge Noon, former chairman
Of the House Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads, in January last at
tempted to extend Federal control Of the
telegraph and telephone lines inden-
nitely: and
Whereas in a statement In THE SUN
OF April 4, 1919, Mr.. Clarence H. Mac
kay. former president OF the Postal Tele-
graph and Cable Company system, re-
moved from his once by Postmaster
General Burieson on March 10. 1919,
said that II the Postmaster General
would return the Postars lines to the
company at once It would carry on its
business at old rates; and
whereas Mr.. Mackay in the public
press on the morning of April 20, 1919.
stated that there Is no earthly reason
| why the Postmaster General should not
return the Postal SYSTEMS lines to their
owners Immediately, and stated further
that no additional legislation was neces-
Sary: and
whereas Mr. Mackay is reported to
have specifically addressed the 'Postnnas-
lter-General yesterday april 500 stating
that the Postal Telegraph Gable Com
pany asks no legislation and Is prepared
to take back Its property on one hours
notice. charging the Government moth
ing for the use of its lines during the
period OF Government control and ex-
pectins only to receive what the lines
actually earned during that period.
Resolutions Favor Return.
Resolved, That the Chamber of Conn
merce of the State of New York is
strongly opposed to any unnecessary
continuance Of Government control and
operation Of public utilities. and espe-
cialiy Is opposed to It's existing control
and operation of tho telegraph. tele-
phone and cable systems OF the country
Resolved, That We applaud the &C.
ton OF the Postmaster-General In his
apparent willingness to return the cable
lines to their owners. and that we rec
ommend to his careful considerati ton the
expressed willingness Of the former on
GERS OF the Postal system Immediately
to take back their properties; be 1t fur.
Their
Resolved, That the existing opera
. ton OF these public utilities has been in.
efficient vexatious and costly, and while
We cannot from lack OF complete knowl.
edge assert that the war necessities o.
OF the Government have not justified
this inefficiency and cost, we are
not persuaded as to that; and we are
} persuaded so far as the Postal system
at least Is concerned that such contro
, Is no longer necessary; be It turther
Resolved, That a copy of these pre-.
ambles and resolutions be sent to the
Postmaster-General. Warrington"