The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-10-29
The Telegraph in Canada.

The Telegraph in Canada.
Mr.. +. L. Pope, telegraph engineer Of
this city, has lately returned from an ex-
tensive tour Of observation in Canada, and
contributes to the 7elegrapher an interesting
report upon the extent and condition Of the
Dominion Telegraph system.
1t appears that at the present time there
are almost 1900 miles Of wires in opera
tion, an1 675 telegraph Offices in Canada.
The engineering and construction Of the
Canadian telegraph lines display a great
deal Of British thOroughness. together with
much Of the conservatism that characterizes
that nationality. They have apparently
been very slow to adopt any Of the innova-
tons and Improvements Of later years, but
their construction every where strikes the
eye as being careful, Substantial, and
durable, while the lines are everywhere kept
in such admirable repair that the general
result is exceedingly satisfactory. The
style of construction is nearly everywhere
the same. Cedar poles are invariably EN-
ployed, 2j to 80 feet long, and Of much
size 10 CDnthOu III AIC ~ hAtNA
States. They are placed ten rods apart, or
32 to the mile, and so firmly set that it s
exceedingly rare to find one out Of the
perpendicular. Glass insulatOrs are in
variabiy employed, one being placed on a
locust pin inserted in the top Of the pole,
and the others, one above another, upon
brackets nailed to the side Of the pole, in
the usual way. Cross-arms are used but in
rare instances, even with great number Of
wires. No. Q English galvanized wire is
universally employed. The lines of the
Montreal Company are built by gang Of
men, under an experienced foreman, who
has been employed BY them for twenty
years. They work during the entire season,
being provided with tents and provisions so
that they eneamp at night wherever they
may happen to finish their days work.
The Grove battery is employed on all
main circuits, except for unimportant branch
lines, where the bchromate battery Is
sometimes substituted For locks an ex-
ccllent form Of Daniell's is in general use,
in which the containing vessel is Of copper.
and constitutes the positive element Of the
battery. The favorite relays are those Of
Chubbuch, Of Utica, ard Williams, Of
Boston. Relays Of the Williams pattern
are now made in Montreal, and are being
much used. The old standard Chubbuck
register is found everywhere.
Taken altogether, the telegraphic system
of the Dominion impressed me as being in
a very prosperous condition. The Montreal
Company pays an annual dividend Of 10
per cent upon a capital Of $3.50, 900. The
actual cash valve Of the property Of the
Company, however, exclusive Of franchises.
&c, can scarcely be under 81 900, 900, if
taken at any reasonable valuation. The
competing lines have been so recently
established that it is impossible as vet to
form an accurate idea Of their condition and
prospects. 1t is probable, however, that
the total amount Of business done will be
largely increased by the competition, as is
the case in this country. and even in the
event Of the competing companies doing a
profitable business, the revenues of the
Montreal Company will not be seriously
effected.
As by far the greatest portion Of the
Montreal Company's business is done upon
25 cent tariff, it would hardly seem to
leave large margin for profits 1t must be
remembered, however, that the expense of
line repairs Gin this country heavy item),
is greatly lessened BY the substantial con-
struetion Of the lines, and interruptions are
much less frequent than with us. The ex-
pense of operatOrs-auother large item-is
less by 25 per cent, and the Canadians are
also fortunate in an exceptionally favorable
climate. 1t is probable that this latter
fact, in connection with the excellent me
chanical construction Of the lines, is sufficient
to accodnt in a great measure for the salts
factory condition Of the annual balance
sheet.
Tbs enterprise shown by the managers of
the Montreal Company in supplying every
portion Of their territory, however remote,
with telegraphic facilities, is worthy Of warm
commendation. The traveller who pene-
trates to the lumber regions Of the upper
Ottawa, the distant coasts of Gaspe, or the
heart of the Adirondacks, now finds that
wires have preceded him. and it will pro
baby not be many years before a cable line
will be laid through lakes Huron and
Superior, connecting with a land line to
Red River and across the plains Of Sackat-
chewan, and over the Rocky Mountains, to
join the Western Union line in British
Columbia.