New-York tribune., 1919-06-07
Just "Flim-FIam"

Just "Flim-Flam'
"Then his order was simply piece
of film -fam," Senator Kellogg asserted
ut does not amount to anything"
Wasn't it the purpose to pass the
buck on the strike?" Senator Watson
wanted to know.
Mr.. kingsbury said he did not think
so. He explained that the confusion
as to the Postmaster Generals motive
was due to an error which crept into
I the official statement issued by the
Post Office epartmDent last night
The publicity bureau, in the head
ing it wrote over the text of Mr..
Burleson's order, unfortunately was
misleading" Mr.. Kingsbury said. "The
heading said the telegraph and tele-
phone wires were being returned to
their respective owners by Mr.. Burle-
son. The publicity bureau tried to re-
call this heading, but apparently it
was too late"
Then the order meant that Mr.. Bur-
Lesson had not relinquished Federal con-
troll at all?' said Senator Kellogg.
"That is right"
Mr.. Kingsbury Explains
"He turned back the responsibility
but kept the CONTROL" Senator kellogg
remarked.
"The order simply MEANS" Mr.. Kings
bury explained, 'that the companies
will now operate their own lines for the
Postmaster General 1t simply did
away with the operating board, but the
companies still have to report to the
Wire Control Board.'
THE authority of the operating
board is now transferred to the Post
master General? ?" Senator Fernald suc-
gested
"EXactly,' Mr.. Kingsbury agreed
Does Bureson still have the same
powers over the companies that he had
before? ~ Senator Kellogg asked
Yes" Mr.. Kingsbury replied.
The committee decided 10 press for
quick passage of the resolution now on
the Senate calendar for the immediate
relaxation of all government control.
The resolution will be taken up in the
Senate Monday. The committee agreed
that existing rates should be continued
tor ninety instead of sixty days after
the suspension of government control.
Burleson's Letter to Committee
The letter sent to the committee by
the Postmaster General follows:
"An order issued by me yesterday
relative to the operation Of the tole-
graph and telephone systems has
been construed by some as actual re-
turn of the properties to the owners.
No such action has been taken by
me, nor is any contemplated
"This order simply diss.I-.-- the
operating board app...-.ed by me un-
der date of December 13, 1918, and
directs that the systems again be
operated by the regular operating
officials, under government super
vision. Responsibility of the gov
ernment to these systems in no wise
ceases. 1t being evident that these
properties are to be returned in the
very near future, it was necessary
for the Postmaster General to take
steps immediately to set up the reg
ular operating organizations Of the
companies, so that when the proper
ties are turned back it can be done
without confusion Or interruption to
the service, which is the purpose Of
the order.
This order is no wise affects the
legislation pending before your com
mittec or before Congress. 1t will
enable the companies to begin steps
Immediately to prepare the data and
collect their information to be sub
mltted to the state commissions for
the rate cases, which will probably
be taken up Immediately after the
period of government control ends
Sent to House Committee
The Postmaster Generals letter vac
also sent TO the House Interstate For
cign Commerce Committee, which
closed its hearings on the resolution
for the immediate return of the wires
to-day. The committee is agreed that
the wires should be returned at the
earliest possible date, and it has only
the question of how long the existing
rates shall continue in effect after the
wires have been returned still to be
decided