New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-05
that il will be wise for The Government to inaugurae

the proposed system Of eegalhs part OF the postal
service not only because Of lis doubtful financial success
but also its questionable feasibility under our political
system.
Among the documents submitted by the Postmaster
General in response the resolution OF the Senate re-
spectng the erection of Government telegraph lines is
the answer Of the American, Western Union and United
States Telegraph Companies TO his inquiries This docu
mept is somewhat voumnous yet one which cannot fail
10 attract attention. and will convey many facts not gen.
orally known and of interest to all connected with tele
graph enterprises Among the points reached are;
F,s-The mpraccabty OF predieating telegraph tariffs
on the Pooce system Of one charge to all places and tax
ing the minimum Of present tariffs as the standard rms
claims Woud be making what called social messages
suffer FOR commercial business the former being chiefly
local and representing The latin ana me "a
lines under such rarH unless with an enormous increase
Of business which If offered could not be sent without inc
corresponding of wires the increase OF capital and
the absorption Of large sums Of money without any certainty
Sco~d The faacy Of the proposal send siIywcrd mes
sages the present Of postage showing that me mere
cost OF delivering message III new LOT, cd oaors with
the wres constantly occupied during Twelve hops fae s
ineon and New York would entail net loss OF over s"V
per annum - .. ..-;as
showing mat thew haye not been increased beyond the general
advance OF the cost Of labor and other values ,
The Of assuming that corresponding increase
OF business from every reduction the tariff claiming that
there limit to the exposure by telegraph OF anu
absorb nearly sll communication not requiring immediate
dispatch. 80, >.
cuahe companies economic theit and preserve
the value Of telegraph property bat for the purpose OF sending
single and responsibility thus avoiding the CHIEF
i that these combinations are necessary preparatory
steps before the contamination Of the great enterprises which
look 10 Se speedy tng OF ae SIa
Srsa That the consolidation of telegraph companies has
result Of mutual necessities showing that the ex
~ ma
render next 20 impossible for two vigorous companies 10
contend business and maintain TO their properties ana CON-
Es the average earnings Of The large cOmPsnies
popury enormous beenvery small the
united earnings not averaging over Tour per cent Tor the past
Va. That the United States tax has averaged
over four each independent OF local and
state assessments which have In States been equal to
-four The revenue tax on the net receipts OF te
American Telegraph Company for 1905 was % per cent III
the dividends and state taxes were added the
total tax would third of the entire receipts
7ta That any ATTEMPT 20 found system Ike that pro-
posed and sustain upon s own revenues must De unsuc
ere IN the protection OF private enterprise and hat Severn
should neither compete with repress 10 long as
proof aaHahe Of he correctness Of the basis on which the
Elsread, That under institutions ateegraph system
controlled BY the Government must be- in the nature oil things
Objectionable Especially must be so 70 the press TO al
lines could TAIL later 10 become mere Govern
ment vehicles for espionage and power.
Of constructing lines visionary and untrue 1t is shown
that the expenditure for the mere cables laid IN tne hrds9n
whole Of tie pnoc estimate made Of the cost OF an
entire line between these cities
Much collateral information is given including the r.
nanca results of the past years and the difficulties and
pecuhares Of the business II appears from this answer
that there are over 20 telegraph Offices in NcwYok City
with force II 375 PERSONS that there 80 wires
between NewYork and Washington aud that nearly 100
wires leave the citv Of New-York. The American and
Western Union companies have about 1900 Offices, with
5000 employees.
The names 80 companies gwen with aggregate
capital of $50 600 OOO employing 5000 persons.
description Of the various telegraph instruments is
added with their capacity qualities and the extent to
which they are or have been used
The answer closes with brief review Of The business
and Of its development rapid and extensive TO have
necessarily left the work Of organization less i'm
perfect. Referring to the examination going by
Government, the answer closes follows:
II NAV reveal much been offspring Of
hope personal ambitions which more or les a great
s s nbsse ~ SBc pesev Is steSsr sd
yancing and that the processes which give Qense
8$ s% ,. s;%P e ss'SS y gas.I o.
IN reality sses for carrying 70 suecesnl fruition
greatest scbieyemeni o. cur times
Union Telegraph Company r. S sanford Presden, Amer.
lean Telegraph Company wilsn Orion President United
Bills APPROVED.
The President hss approved the bill concerning the pro
duce o. The forests Of the State OF Maine upon St. Croix
RIVER aud its tributaries owned by American citizens the
same bting unmanufaeiured in whole In part and hav
ing paid the same other American timber that
River shall be admitted into the ports Of the United
States free Of duty.
The President has also approved the bill authorizing aud
directing the Secretary Of the Navyo appoint Board to
examine site at or near Portland for fresh basin
for the vessels Of the United States Navy and TO
ascertain the advantages and cost OF said SITE and report
to Congress during the present session.
THE FISHERIES.
On the 3lst nliimo, Sir Frederick Bruce, the British
Minister addressed note 10 Mr.. Seward from which the
following is an extract:
the honor inform you that the Government Of
Canada have authorized r. Porter ESQ., the magistrate
mapdng the Government vessel La Csnadianie employed
protecting the fisheries Of Canada Issue fishing censes
the payment Of the Of 30 cents per ton OF measurement
will remain force during this and will confer
holders Of them far the Canadian fisheries
cerned all rights enjoyed BY the fishermen OF the United
States under the Reciprocity Treaty This measure Is OF
provisional nature
PLANTING FORESTS AT THE WEST.
The House Committee Public Lands, under the lead
Of their Chairman the Hon. g. W. Julian, intent
upon arriving tangible conclusion concerning tree
planting the woodcss Western plains which is attract
ing such widespread attention. They have asked for
report this subject from the Agricultural Department;
also from the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs TO the
character Of Indian College in Kansas which proposes
to plant 10000 Of experimental forests within five
yesrs.
XXXIXTH CONGRESS.