, 1866-06-13

wire It planted Its poles along all ths public
roads. Finding its tariff too low for snstcu-
ance, It also followed the general necessity
Tor increase and at last, with its wires all
occupied, under the most vigorous admtlis-
sration, It's Expenses reduced within the
closest limits, fonud that it was conducting
its business at 40 average net loss OF yearly
$4,000 per month.
Wig did this young organization not profit
by the e1tortion Of The othery Why did 1t
not reduce Its ta1iGs Why did It not open
wider it's doors to the public and " organize"
success on the assurance Of an enlarged bust-
litnit which the Instinct Of EelEpFesesyation
forbade ita passing. and because 1t saw that
to grade its tariff lower was to secure speed
Ter deeease.
The Western Union Company meanwhile
Was made to feel also that the opposition was
go reducing their income that their accustom-
cd dividends could not be maintained And
thus It happened again, that, to save the com.
mon property BY the economy OF a united
management, seen to be necessary for both,
the two companies were CONSOLIDATED.
TEE COST OF CONSTRUCTING AND MAINTAIN.
ING F1RsT-c1Ass TELEGRAPH LINES.
The following is the reply to the intersoga-
tory Of the Postmaster General as to the cost
per mile for constructing aud maintaining
nrst-class telegraph lines Of six wires:
The cost Of building lines varies according
to locality, timber, method, nature Of the
ground, and the wires to be borne.
A linz from New York to Washington
represented by the following figures:
g poles delivered at sta,tons ..S16l.25
Is ho1es, @ iiss isss dep, tooi:, xc...,....: 5tt
1abo1-bandltns. preps1sps, s,sciinE. &C.. s5.SS
SIX Wlret. at 12cents rer pound 30 %
LaboI-Wlrfug, transportation, Gc.......... SlU0
yst5,o1tanG pc.e! g. oo %
s6e5.ss5
240 miles at z6G5 Is. Washington to New
1osk..t...-.......-.-...--. ..@159,GIu
This amount Is exclusive Of the cost Of
franchises, TINT Is, the use Of patents and the
right Of way, and OF cables, of which the
American Telegraph Company has seventy
one in Use between New York and Washing
ton, {tourtecn on the Hudson a1onc) costing
no less than $780, 900.
The average cost Of machinery, batteries,
| &C., for first-class line OF six wires, With
switches and all the usual conyeniences,
taking slx-wiea Ing from New York to
Washington, and estimating IN Office for
every Ave miles us an average, would be SO
| per mile.
For a single wire over the same route the
cost will exceed SO per mile.
! The cost Of maintenance, by Which Is meant
| the ordinary repair Of q six.wfre liuc, rs de-
scribed, with patrol force such us Isnow en-
| ployed between New York and Washington.
would be 10 per cent per annum on the orig
| fnal cost Of construction, or about go, 900 per
/ annum.
| The actual cost Of the repair aud patrol Of
for 1865 was ISL. G.100-51.
| The cost OF reconstruction would be 10 Der
cent per nnnum on the original cost.
These per centagges will be- greater or less
| route, md the climate.
Along railtoads In mild latitulcs, repairs
| would exhibit their minfmum cost; along
| pike roads, In northern ATTITUDES. their maxi
1 mum.
The maintenance of cables at The North
| River for six wires would approximate tlily
| per cent per annum Of their cost for current
| repair and attendance, and my per cent more
fur their renewal.
Both at these arc liable to increase accord
1 Ing to circumstances.
On sfngle-wire lines, costing $50 per mile,
the cost Of repairs, with one rcpalfer each
fifty miles. would he thirteen per cent per
annum, and ten per cent for renewal.
| 1t Is true that the durability Of wood Of a
| kind quito atta1nah1e exceeds ten years; yet
| no one experienced in telegraph pursuits or
management, on review Of every casualty
| " 4tiSos "4kA AACA AhtAlEa I'LL lUdA~
latogB, are lEnGte, can safely increase the aver
| age Of yenrs given.
Cables cannot be estimated as having dn-
| rability beyond two years, aud are liable to
be destroyed at any time. At Important eros
| sings. such IS the Hudson River, q considera.
bic number Of men, with boats and buildings,
have to be provided, SO Is to be ready Tor
instnnt service, causing current annual cx-
! pcnse equal to to the current cost Of the ca
| bles.
! THE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL REPRESENTED DT
THE LEADING TELEaRApu COMPANIES OF
! TIE UNITED STATES.
Tie following figures arc cla'med to repre-
sent the capital Of the several telegraph
companies named. The enumeration In.
c.udes all but few small companies In yazi.
Gus States. Or course, the amounts given do
I not represent the money actually inyes ted,
but the amounts Of stock Issued by the sevc-
I Sr3-x