Arizona republican., 1919-05-23
PUT N|RE-PHONE
 TOL.C.C. SAYS bURLESON
Urges Commission Should Also Control Wages - Thus, Increases In One Could Be Offset By Ad- vances In Other-Sends Letter To Congress
[RepubIican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, May 22.-Recom- mendations of the wire control board, that legislation returning the telephone and telegraph systems of the country to private ownership. provide co-ordi- mated operation of the various systems and fixing of rates by the Interstate Commerce commission, were forwarded today by Postmaster General Burleson to the house postoffice committee. The wire boards recommendations also in clude creation of a tribunal to hear all controversies between employers and employees, and that changes in wage schedules shall not become effective until submitted to the Interstate Com merce commission, so that correspond ing changes may be made in rates.
 Mere returns of the wires to their owners, will not solve veXatious prob lems confronting the companies, MT. Burleson said in his letter to Repre- sentative Moon of Tennessee, trans mitting the recommendations. Extraor- dinary costs of operations and mainten- ance, fastened upon them as a result of war" the postmaster general said, will continue for some time after con- trol 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 pos sible, consistent with sound policy, to protect the public and enable owners to operate their properties.
 Should Control Wages Also "The members of the board are unanimously of the opinion that in or der to provide the most efficient wire service, the various service systems should be co-ordinated as to operation. This does not require monopoly of own ership. but is necessary so there car be a consistent and harmonious regu- latory policy. Through this means only can the attempts at wasteful competi- tion and the economic loss occasioned by Implications of plant and force be avoided. It is and can be reached by amending the law so as to provide, sub ject to the approval of the Interstate Commerme commission, that any tele- graph and telephone company doing an interstate business may purchase the property of any other telegraph or tel ephone company, or consolidate witt any other company, or pool traffic, un- der provisions which will protect the public.
 Hence, it is believed that the law should be so amended as to empower the Interstate Commerce commission tc fix rates for telegraph and telephone companies, subject to provisions of the act, and that any company whose lines are located entirely within state, but which transacts direct interstate bus mess, should be made subject to the act"
 The commissions use of its ratt making power, the letter said, would ensure the companies sufficient rev enue to yield a reasonable return or the value of property, and also to giv, proper service.
 Dealing with management prob lens, MT. Burleson said the board wa: convinced that "a tribunal should b, provided upon which the public, tn, employe, the managerial force and cap
 ital shall be fairly represented, and be fore which all parties may be heard, s,
 that prompt redress may be had fo
 just grievances"
 Changes in wage scales, it also wa.
 suggested. should be reviewed by tn
 Interstate Commerce commission, il order that rate alterations may b, made simultaneously with effectiv, date of the new wage changes.