The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-04

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To THE ,rDrroR or THE HEKALD:--
have been much interested In the articles which
have appeared in the HERALD recently concerning
the Postal Telegraph ana the Telegraph bills now
before Congress.
For many years connected with the teegraphs OF
the country. with good opportunities of watching
their management have no hesitation In declaring
that your statements are correct and your conclu-
sions just II live and healthy competition existed
In the elegraphing business. promising permanency
and management that would secure to the public
prompt transmission OF messages ut fair rates.
then, indeed. there would be but little
need OF government interference But such Is not
the case. The Western Union Telegraph Company
virtually monopolizes the business. What opposl-
ton lines there are fagmentary and their facii
ties for business 80 limited that they can do but
little to meet the wants and demands of the public,
ana, Tor obvious reasons, nothing whatever to re-
lieve the press from the exactons Of the western
Union Telegraph Company. There Is not . news
paper publisher In the United States who Is not
aware that II is within the power OF this company
to crush his paper out OF existence by making
enormous charges for the transmission OF news re-
ports or wlfuy neglecting to transmit them until
too late for use.
No opposition to the behests or interests or the
Western Union Company Is one Of the conditions
upon which this company will offer reduced rates
for the transmission OF press reports and any paper
daring to employ opposition lines for the transmits
sion Of specials is liable to be cut entirely on from
all privileges over the lines Of the monopoly. Hence
It Is not to be wondered at that the press OF the
lines and are for the most part silent on the subject
Of postal telegraph: Only few have
Of "a hoa cfiaaI
telegraphers OF the country who have done more to
develop and utilize the telegraph than all the old fogy
gladly furnish valuable information to Mr. Hubbard or
the Congressional committee who are now consider
ing .ne sn sgGeSs OF postal telegraph l. like the
Is, too, general fear among teegraphers that II
ever the government assumes control Of the tee-
graph the Western Union officials will In some
way secure the management, just as they secured
the management OF all the military lines during the
late war, with how much profit to themselves let
some oftne Western Union officials with military titles
answer. But wish to note very briefly few points
suggested by Mr. Orton's statement to the Congress
sional committee. He gives ffty-seven cents as the
average sum paid on messages transmitted over the
western Union lines. Now, unless deadhead de-
spatches and ONCE messages are taken into the cal
cuatlon no such figures can be reached. II any one
doubts this let him examine one OF the tariff sheets
OF the Western Union Company, and, II he has any
knowledge or correct Idea OF the business he will
doubt no longer The charges between New York
and Boston thirty cents for ten words and between
New York and Philadelphia twenty-five cents for
ten wOrds) are the lowest rates the list and 1t
can be easily proved that the average amount paid
on messages between these points Is nearly If not
paid for dispatches between New York and more
distant cities. The tariff on ten words to Cincin-
matt L 81; to Chicago, 81 rs; to St. Louis, 81; to
San Francisco 81 90. These rates are sufficient to
Indicate how nearly correct Mr. orion is in his state
ment that the average charge on dispatches Is 1fty
Mr.. orion claims credit for the western Union
Company for recent reductions in Geographic lis.
Now It Is notorious that the only reductions which
MAJ Ia hat vva au tpfc hal
pcting lines. Every bit OF valuable property owned
by the Western Union Company can be duplicated
to-day for less than ten millions OF dollars the net
profits OF this company according TO their monthly
statements, are upwards OF quarter million rising
three millions per annum. IT, then, the capital OF the
company had not been extensively watered they
could pay thirty per cent annual dividends; and yet
Mr. Orion declares that nowhere else has there
been so earnest an endeavor made to serve peo-
pie faithfully and satisfactorily
Says Mr.. Orton:-"If Mr.. Hubbard's bill to incor-
porate the United States Postal Telegraph Company
should pass, who would maintain teegraphic facli.
ties in the smaller townsn-the bill providing for
offices only in towns OF 5000 Inhabitants and up
they do now. Does Mr.. Orion think any S1' on nc
Is verdant enough TO believe that the western
Union Telegraph Company are maintaining q
modaGe the peoples With the valuable franchises-
such as exclusive rights ofway, free transportation
no s aco o as
with them for the maintenance OF telegraph stations
In small towns which, 1t Is wen known generally
"
way employees. But to my mind the strongest ar
gufnent IN favor OF governmental interference In the
Geographic business Is that improvement Of any
kind can be reasonably expected OF the Western
Union Company With their badly insulated ana
poorly constructed lines they cannot cheaper the
rates and do business enough to pay dividends on
their enormous capital. 10 improve the working OF
their wires would Involve too great IN expenditure
for them to incur Mr. orion boasts Of the superior
ability OF his operating corps, but he insulted them
by importing an Englishman TO examine and report
upon the condition Of the western Union lines, as II
there was no one In the country competent for the
work.
The fact Is. that under monopoly, exacting and
oppressive the best telegraphers rapidly leaving
the business. and their places are being supplied by
unntelllgent machines made from messenger boys,
lacking even q common school education, and by
girls who have no knowledge Of commercial terms
and are entirely unit for an Intelligent performance
OF telegrapher's duties. Hence the many absurd
mistakes made In the transmission OF private mes
sages and news reports, resulting In great annoy
ance and frequently IN great pecuniary loss which
the Western Union Company invariably refuse TO
make good.
The business men of the country have been 80 often
swindled By telegraph contractors and stockholders
that there 10 no hope Geographic competition except
through government add ana those VINO would have
The telegraph what Il should bean impartial,
M for cornr nj