The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-05
MASSACHUSETTS.

The telegraph Monopoly Of the Agc-An I'm
derground Cable Proposed Between Bostsa
and Washinst0n-The Boston Brokers Co.
tempIating Line of Their Own 60 New
York-A Conflict Between the Boston NAM
agers Of the Franklin and Western Unien
Companies.
The matter OF having the telegraph lines OF the
country placed under the control OF the general
government IL attracting considerable attention
from the business community OF Boston. II Is hardly
necessary to add that the general wish Is in favor Of
the project, and that there is loud howl from all
quarters against the extortions OF the Western Union
monopoly II Congress fails to take immediate
and favorable action in the premises there are
several Geographic enterprises projected here
which wiz be carried forward to completion
early In the spring. and which will have the eect 70
greatly reduce the tariff between the principal cities
OF the East and South. One OF these enterprises
Is the laying OF underground line between Boston
and washington. 1t is proposed to lay cable which
shall contain half dozen wires, each insulated
with offices In all the principal Cities The advan-
tages OF lines of this sort numerous, the chief
ones being that they will work in all kinds OF
weather, will always be ready Tor and VIII
be out OF repair except through the malicious
propensities Of bad apd designing men. Half Q
dozen wires, 1t is claimed win be sufcent to trans
act all the commercial business between New YORK
and Boston, and with the double transmitter Of Mr..
Stearns OF the Franklin Company, applied, which
allows the sending OF messages both ways at the
time over single wire, the capacity or twelve
lines can be obtained 1t may be argued or inferred
that the construction Of q telegraph line under
ground will be attended by an extraordi-
nary expense but practical constructor has,
made an estimate and given 1t as his opinion
that cable containing half dozen wires can be laid
in the manner described as cheaply as nalf sdQzen
wires can be put up In the Q-uiafy way on poles.
The model Of machine for ploughing up the eartn
to receive the cable has been made and mannfac.,
turers have been consulted as to the best kind o.
cable to be used. II the government takes charge
os e. s e. do
sp an The Company win probably be chartered IL
Massachusetts and most Of the stock Will be owned
In the event OF the government allowing the West
ern Union monopoly to continue its eXt0rions upon
the public the brokers OF Boston viii undoubtedly
do something to protect themselves. For some
months they have been &C the
here and New York, and only the possibility OF 70
lief through Congress has prevented them from
taking active measures for the early completion OF
During the past two or three days there has been
u ss IN n o.
some time past the Franklin Company has had .
branch ONCE In Franklin street. for the benefit Of
the merchants In that section Of the city. About
week since OF the officials OF the so-called Bank
ers' and Brokers' Ltne but which is actually an af.
fair OF the western Union Company came here from
New York and hired the ofice (paying an increased
remit, with the understanding that possession was to
be given on the LIST OF February and that the Frank
lin Company would be made to vacate on that day.
The Office alluded to consisted simply Of corner in
q wholesale dry goods store. The fact that the
premises had been let 70 > rival company became
known TO the Franklin ofcials, and they determined
to retain possession under the law requiring land
lords to give tenants months notice when they de-
sire them to quit the premises. Tho Western Union
offcials were bound. however, to make an
effort to get possession, and early on the
morning OF the LIST OF February managers ana
operators appeared the premises FOR that purpose
Franklin managers and operators were also there to
protect their rights and prevent trespassng ON the
part Of rivals. AS soon as the doors Of the store
were opened the representatives Of the respective
the store, and both got inside the railing stimuli
other to leave, and both declined. Matters began 70
assume the appearance OF q EMIL" and the Frank
lin officials, having the combined advantages OF
physical strength, law and justice on their sde the
Western Union, or Bankers and Brokers', men con-
sidered presence OF mind and absence Of body the
best thing available, and Immediately retired from
the disputed territory. They have succeeded since,
however In hiring another corner or the same store,
and the rival offices are In successful operation
under q single roof. The facts IN the becoming
known TO the merchants generally in the nelghbor
hood they have shown their substantial approval OF
the Franklin Company by giving them their entire
business.