Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1902 — GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPHS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPHS.

Senator Mason Propose* to Make Them Part of the Postal System. There Is an unusual amount of talk in Washington concerning government ownership of telegraph Lines. It lias been

hinted that the administration favored legislative action tending such a result, and that the selection of Henry C. Payne of Wisconsin as Postmaster General was a step in that direction, as he was understood to favor government ownership. Mr. Payne’s

friends deny that he Is committed to the scheme. It appears now that Senator Mason of Illinois favors such a project and will stand sponsor for a bill. By virtue of the rank which he holds in the Senate as chairman of the committee on posrtofficcs and post Toads, Mr. Mason commands attention by the announcement that he favors government ownership of the telegraphs as part of the postal system. He says the question of the purchase of the Western Union and Postal lines has been recommen' to his attention. It Is understood t'l.-i Mr. Mason is preparing a bill to provide for the Issuance of bonds by the government, bearing 2 to 2% per cent interest, for twenty-five years, to pay for the property of the existing cornpanics. The seryice is to be extended to all postofflees gradually, with a reduction In rates. A sinking fund from the earnings of the lines is to be created for the payment of the bonds. The United States postal telegraph bonds can be used by national banks for a deposit In the treasury as a basis for calculation. Senator Mason Is not meeting with any very enthusiastic support from Republican members. Ths composition of the Senate committee on postoffices and post roads la such that the Illinois Senator will have difficulty In securing a favorable report upon any peculiar legislation. Th* Senators selected with th* object of holding them in check are Ix>dge of Massachusetts, Beveridge of Indiana and Dillingham of Vermont.

BENATOR MASON.