The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-13 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1871

THE telegraphs of the United Kingdom have now
been worked by the Post-office for twelve months.
The experience of this period has been attended
with difficulties which cannot occur again, but
the results as a whole are such as to
leave no doubt that the change has
been one of great benefit. The obstacles

encountered were inevitable in, commencing an
undertaking of this kind. Whilst in private hands
the telegraphs of the country were owned by three
distinct companies, working on separate systems.
The union of these three organisations in one har-
monious whole was in itself a work of great
labour. In addition, however, the machinery of
all three united was inadequate to the wants of the
country : the new department had to extend as well
as to reorganise. New wires were laid ; fresh esta-
blishments set up ; and the telegraph introduced to
many districts where it was previously unknown.
Business men will readily appreciate the onerous
character of this double labour—providing for the
amalgamation of the companies, and making
arrangements for a large extension of work at the
same time. It was inevitable under the circum-
stances that some failures and interruptions should-
arise; but the number of these has been, comparatively
speaking, not large. The complaints that have been
made have proceeded in great measure from persons
who, under the old system, enjoyed special facilities
which could not equitably be continued under
the new. It should be remembered, more-
over, that complaints were prohibited under
the companies' rule, whatever justification there
might be for them. In the eyes of the companies
the publication of a grievance was a serious offence,
the just punishment for which was supposed to be
the withdrawal of the news supply; and as
there was no other means of obtaining
information, silence in respect of errors
and deficiencies became matter of necessity.
Under the rule of the Post-office free trade in grumb-
ling has been restored, and the privilege has been
largely used.
Some just grounds of complaint have undoubtedly
arisen. But that the transfer has proved of great
benefit on the whole may be clearly seen by contrast-
ing permanent advantages with temporary drawbacks.
Me increase in the number of newspapers and news
rooms receiving supplies of telegraphic news is -four-
fold. Under the old system 306 was the total num-
ber of subscribers for intelligence, whilst, at the
present moment, the Post-office is supplying
upwards of 1,200. The public get the advan-
tage in the largely - increased proportion of
telegraphic information both in the London and pro-
vincial papers. All kinds of news are now furnished
to provincial news-rooms with a promptitude that
was not thought of under the old system. Such results
have not been obtained without strenuous efforts
on the part of the Post-office officials. For many months
both before and after the transfer, and even down to
the present time, official hours have been entirely
disregarded. Mr. So UD AMORE and his able
staff of assistants have literally worked day
and night, without regard to personal comfort.
They have the satisfaction of knowing that the most
stupendous business undertaking of the present time
is now most successfully achieved. A few figures
will serve to shew the magnitude of the results