Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-14
.BURLEsON STRIKES BACK
At PLATFORM BUILDERS
Issues Statement Denonncing Re-
publican Plank Relative to Tcle-
graph and Telephone Lines.
my Universal scrvIcc1


WASHINGTON, juno 13.-Postmas
tcr-General Burleson hit back hard
today at his critics among tho Ro-
publican platform builders who in
serted the following statement in the
PLATFORM:
we took from the incompetent
Democratic administration, tho ad
ministration of the telegraph and
telephone lines of tho country and
returned them to private ownership. /"
Immediately after tho wires were
returned" said Burleson, 1.-THE chief
executive officer Of tho telcphonc
companies. great Republican and
recognized as the greatest EXPERT on
wire communications In the world
said
during government control by the
iostmcster-Genc not n single or
der was issued which was not in the
interest OF tho SERVICE"
Mr. Burleson quo,ed a convention
OIL the United States independent
Telephone Association as expressing
III resolution its appreciation for
ms fair' Just and impartial admins
tration OF the wire systems of the
country" The president of the
largest telegraph company" is quoted
rs declaring that the policy OF the
fost-oiilce Department was construc-
tive and eminently fair.
Republican Commended Efficiency.
Representative Good. Republican
ana chairman of the House Commit
&c on appropriations. also is quoted
Go ooinIhendins Burieson for his
economic and efficient handling OF
the telegraph and telephone systems.
me Republican organization" de-
clared Mr. Burlcson. mot having the
GGp rui 70 make direct charge.
tentative draft of their platform a
sinister insinuation that during tho
n nirns OF government control tho
wires were used for political patron
age and political espionage
me entire administrative cost Of
government control was one two
hunuredths OF per cent of the wire
,r,'; Sues' record without parallel,
when wrung from those OF the OPP
Posite political faith only words of
concentration. Only four new places
were created. two of which were
hiled by Republicans.
Another false statement contained
IN inc republican platform is: 1--WE
reduced the cost of postage and in
creased the pay of the postal en-
lie servants. 'o'
NO reduction was made by the Re-
publican Congress. The only reduce
irons OF postage during the past seven
years were those made BY order of
the PostmasterGeneral on parcel
post matter. The Democratic Con
Eress did. on February -. 1919, at
the suggestion of the Postmaster!
General, relieve tho people OF the |
war tax imposed on first-class mail |
matter.
Urged Rate Reduction.
The Postmaster-General did urge |
me Republican Congress to reduce |
tnc nrst class postal rate SO as to |
give the business interests of the |
country, who now bear an unjust nor
tion OF the postal burden, a relief to |
which It Is justly entitled. After ac- |
ENCOURAGEMENT that IL should be done, |
me republican majority refused to |
The clair OF increased wages for !
postal employees would be ridiculous
Tut Tor the tragic consequences OF |
INC action OF the Republican ma
Jority, Democratic Congress made J
provision FOR postal commission TO /
rcclassify postal employees. SIS a |
result of the death Of Senator HANK |
mead. control OF this commission !
passed from the Democrats. This de-
icated the earnest request of the |
i,os. ,a,ster-GSneral for plan Of In
creased compensation.
me Republican Congress has pur-
sued policy that has in a measure
stranslcd and throttlcd tho postal
service, which stood up under an ad
verse condition Of the war betiar
than any other public service. beinr
the only postal service in any OF the
countries engaged in war which ala
not practically break down.
truth is mighty, and will prevail"