The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-16

The same results are observable in other
countries as well as in our own. In Belgium
the proportion of kilograms to letters was as
one to 2l8 in 1860; in 1866 II was as
one to 81. In Great Britain the proportion
in 1860 was one telegram to 296 letters;
in 1866 one to l2O and this, too, with the
number of letters In the meantime nearly
doubled
The most striking feature OF telegraphic
in the profits, as well as in the amount Of the
business, has been largest at those points and
in those countries where the rates have been
lowest. In Belgium, where the charges have
been very moderate, the ratio of increase in
kilograms to letters has been about six hun
high tariffs prevail, the ratio has been only a
little over two hundred and fifty per cent. The
experience in this country illustrates vet more
forcibly the benefit of low rates to the stock
holders, as well as to the public. Within the
past eighteen months most of the paying points
on the Western Union lines have been reached
by its great rival, the Atlantic and Pacific
Telegraph Company, and to these places,
under the wholesome effect of competition, the
rates have been decreased from thirty to sixty
per cent. The increase in the receipts for six
months in 1868 under low rates over the cor
responding months of 1867, when there was
no competition, has been over three hundred
and twenty thousand dollars, or over two
thousand dollars for each working day.
These facts are conclusive as to the profit
able character Of the telegraph business
They prove that any well conducted line in
the United States must pay dividends larger
than can be realized in any other enterprise.
But new lines in especial must be remune-
rative, because they are built of the best and
most approved material, equipped in SUI
perior manner, and touch only paying points,
thus avoiding the heavy drawback OF non
paying Offices. The Atlantic and Pacific lines,
for instance, representing only FIVE millions
capital, constructed in the best manner. free
from debt, and touching only paying points,
could pay handsome dividend upon the
amount required to satisfy the interest on the
bonded and miscellaneous debt Of the Western
Union, a company which represents forty-one
millions capital, is hampered with old, worn
out lines and equipments, and burdened with
thousands Of expensive non paying Offices.
! The Atlantic and Pacific Company have been
in operation one year, and their business has
| increased in nine months over two hundred
per cent. They will be open through to Chi
cago, Milwaukee and st. Paul this week, and
TO Cincinnati and St. Louis before November.
They viii then touch every paying point
reached by the Western Union, and connect
with other Independent lines all over Canada
and the United States They now offer their
stock for sale, after having withdrawn il from
the market for six months, in order that they
! may secure the means 10 double their present
wires for immediate purposes to meet the
pressing demands OF the business, and thus
double, also, their receipts and profits. Their
stock to-day is more valuable than any repre-
senting old, used up, dilapidated lines, and
offers an excellent Investment for capitalists.
II il to be hoped that the company will put NJ
additional wires everywhere without any de-
lay, and thus meet and accommodate the
wants or the business world,