Show WILSON TO TAKE CHARGE OF WIRES AUGUST T 1 SET AS DATE FOR FEDERAL FED FED ERAL CONTROL OF TELEGRAPH AND A D T TELEPHONE LINES I I Administration of Wire System Placed With Postmaster General Burl Burleson son Present prese t Managements and Em- Em Will Continue I Washington Acting under author author- I tty re recently conferred by congress President Wilson July 23 issued a proclamation proc proc- lam tf all aU t n taking telegraph tele tele- graph raph lines under government operation operation opera opera- tion and control at midnight Wednesday Wednesday Wednes Wednes- day July 31 Although congress empowered him to do so the president did not Include wireless systems because the navy already already al al- ready Js in control of them and he heIso helso Iso did not lot Include ocean cables pre presumably because contracts the c cable ble companies have with foreign governments governments govern govern- ments on whose shores they land co con contain tain clauses respecting government government- operation which raised Involved ques ques- The navy already is In practical practical cal control of the ct cables bles through Its censorship The presidents president's proclamation placed administration of the wire systems with Postmaster General Burleson and provided that until otherwise otherwise decided the present managements and will continue Present financial arrangements ar ar- also will continue with the approval of the postmaster general Minimum of Interference In a statement accompanying ac the th presidents president's proclamation Postmaster General Burleson announced to the country that his policy would be one of the least possible interference nce with the wire communication systems consistent con con- with the interests and needs of the government Press wire service Mr Burleson Burles m said w would uld be Interfered with only t to improve Its facilities and farmers farmers' 1 telephones would be i Interfered with I only to facilitate their connection with the the larger lines No general policy polley has b been en decided upon the postmaster general general gen gen- eral announced aud public notice will willbe be given of any plans to change present present pres pres- ent arrangements Pledging to the the public his best efforts ef- ef ef efforts forts for the most efficient service at atthe atthe the least cost the postmaster general od declared he welcomed the suggestions and operation co-operation of the men who have i built up the systems Committee Is Named Postmaster General Burleson Burles n will v personally take ke charge of the a admin administration of the wire communications and and will be bet assisted by a n committee of three co composed posed of of John L. L Koons 1 first assistant postmaster general in subjects of organization and administration adminis David J. J Lewis former congressman con con- gressman now a member mem- mem member ber of t the tariff commission on subjects subr sub sub- r of operation and William H. H Lamar solicitor for the postoffice department de de- r. r i on matters of finance l |