East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1961-12-14
G>~i;a% yours,
W. BY GENE HfRSH -
Whereas, We P'y into
A Space-Age Problem

THE RETURN OF LAISSEZ FARE. "Less government
in business more business in Government
This slogan became the political faith in the 1920s
and the subject of recent conversation we had with
S. v Cummns 5000 Gynn rd who is district commercial
manager for the Ohio Bell Telephone Co.
The discussion centered around the development of
commercial satellite communications system compared
to an operation contracted by the Federal Government
To be this column is not the usual place Tor dis
cussng worldly subjects and likewise certainly
the least expert on the technicaties involved
Occasional Liberty
Yet occasionally we like to wander afar times and
since the brought to attention, would
like take the liberty of expressing our views on
the subject
Early development of space satellite communications
system is of fundamental national Importance Such
system gives promise of revoutionizing international
muncations and communications within the United States
The question to bear in mind is who would be more
capable Of exploring this important fieldthe government
private enterprise?
Naturally, Cummins, representative of Ohio Bell
and the American Telephone and Telegraph Co.. is for
private enterprise. And. matter Of fact are
Refreshing Departure
In mind the proposal of satellite communications
system with potential worldwide usefulness is refresh
ing departure from the usual the field of rocke
And when it comes proposition not using public
money, it seems almost too good to be true
Of the mpleXes involved in this countless,
but nevertheless that here is good where
the less government, the better.
Certain congressman. however, do not feel this way
arguing mostly that the project will be dominated by
few large organizations such AT&T 1t is further
tended that establishing the system would be beyond the
possibilities of private enterprise.
Early Century Thinking
Perhaps this type of thinking prevalent at the turn
of the century when dreamers thought of putting
that new-angled gadge the telephone every home and
to hook together every city and hamlet.
At that time it thought if such dream be
of telephone wires the whole continent There
host of little telephone companies. many using different
kinds of equipment Some cities had two telephone
companies that couldn't Nowhere in sight there
the capital necessary, the organization carry
such dream.
At that time thought if such dream to be
realized it would be to the Federal Government because
it beyond the resources of private industry.
Free Enterprise Prevails
However. because this country Jagged in sociastc
trends the telephone system allowed to grow the
fruits of free enterprise.
For those who do not the benefit of the type of
development take heed of the telephones used in foreign
movies. Aren't they similar used here 20
DO years ago..
of giant relays in the sky with sound bouncing all
in the great beyond
And again, there those who feel the apparent
culean task of establishing satellite communications
system far and above the realm of possibility if left to
the dreamers of private industry.
If the government took the important role of
administrator of space communication system. it would
assuredy have to bow to political pressure and spois
system of operation
So, in this all important space race here is track
where most certainly the could do better
a coach than a