Show wm S J ST EM I RETURN J N T TO I TOWNERS WN Tonight Sees End of Government Government Government Govern Govern- ment Control of Telegraph and Telephone Lines W WASHINGTON July 31 At At At midnight mid midd night tonight go government eminent control of ot I telegraph and telephone systems which began July 22 1918 when the I lines JInes were taken over as a war measure measure measure meas meas- ure will end and the properties will willbe willbe be turned over to their private owners I IAn An order to this effect was Issued yesterday by Postmaster General I Burleson in accordance with the resolution resolution resolution reso reso- lution adopted by congress and re recently recently re- re recently signed by President Wilson Mr Burleson in a statement accompanying accompanying accompanying ac ac- ac- ac companying his order said sound Bound I public opinion ultimately would de determine determine determine de- de termine how this trust has been I Imet met and that he was content to abide by the result Besides this reply to criticisms of ot his management I of ot the wire companies the postmaster general also took a parting shot at atthe atthe atthe I the Postal Telegraph company most I of the officers of ot which were removed several months ago because of ot what I he termed Interference with government government government govern govern- ment management I The postmaster general did not I mention the company by name but said that with one notable exception the reason for which Is thoroughly I understood by those who have kept informed every wire company had given him loyal cooperation Under the resolution of congress I directing the return of the companies I government fixed Intrastate telephone rates are to remain In force for a a. I period of ot four months unless sooner changed by state commissions but no provision was made as to telegraph telegraph telegraph tele tele- graph rates Clarence II H. Mackay president of ot the Postal company in urging congress to provide for speedy return of ot the properties said his company company company com com- pany could reduce rates 20 per cent centI and still earn a profit I This statement was recalled today in connection with the return of ot the properties and a rate war between the telegraph companies was viewed In some quarters as a possibility Telegraph rates were Increased approximately approximately approximately ap ap- ap- ap proximately 20 per cent last lat March to meet Increased salaries of ot operators an dother and rising rising costs of materials Referring to the advance In telegraph telegraph tele tele- graph raph and telephone cha charges Mr Burleson In his statement statement said the percentage of ot these increases ses was markedly less than the average of ot increases of ot rates made during this same period for other public utility services and added that but for court Injunctions in eighteen states Instigated by state utility commIssions commissions commissions commis commIs- the wire systems would have been returned to their owners without any obligation on the federal treasury because of ot compensation contracts The amount of ot this obligation cannot cannot cannot can can- not be determined until accounts for forthe forthe forthe the present month are adjusted and an agreement has been reached as to compensation for companies which so far have not been willing to accept the government figures Control of ot the wIre companies was taken over by the postmaster general as a war measure on July 22 1918 I under a resolution of congress and a proclamation by the president A I wire control board and an operating board were established and various various' consolidations were made with a view I to Lo effecting economy in operation Administration of ot the affairs of ot the companies by the postmaster general I led to sharp criticism in recent months and this found expression In congress when the resolution for their return to private management was considered In his statement today the postmaster postmaster postmaster post post- master general said his labors were brought to an end with a conscious conscious- ness on his part of having at all aU times administered these wire systems systems systems with Justice and fairness to the and the owners of these properties and in such a way as to render the best service possible to the public under abnormal conditions |