New-York tribune., 1873-01-18


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ssa fT5 o Sss S R'cT'd % a,Sss ysS; s, E
tn; evening du need not say 80 but ey Of the THO vi" come
bot oSr star onx-w~ afraid they bad been tiUg to
ne 1g y very .S. s3SS b.. iss s Ts; I S@'' d' '''
CONVERSATION BETWEEN SIGNAL OFFICE AND BALrr-
S,,,,, ono, % 8aamors see Wolf minute ~ To
Bog Do you time in afternoon and evening trains
e1S sSs,or1 SsTI' uS 10 o To G. NJ There one leave, a,
o. m one at at i;io at $3.50 and
signal ooc 10 BaanOy" Thanks That's trains enough. May
Baiiors to sicral Oa,,- Do win be glad to see youD
It will be noted that occupation of the wires which
these conversations illustrate at other times than the
regular hours named In the schedules for making tho
that the Signal Office should interrupt and suspend the
business of the public the great commercial lines OF
the country during the most active hours OF the day with
such riing matters. The pr0prety OF exhibiting the
working of the wires to the Honorable Secretary OF War
is not Quesoned yet it would have pleased the Com.
pany better TO have received an intiaton that t would
be agreeable him accept courtesy from than TO
learn afterwards that had been extended without the
knowledge OF its officers But the proprety OF taking
wires for the purpose OF nquirng the times OF de-
parure of trains for negotiating the enlistment of OBJ
any the various other purposes not directly connected
with Commerce and Agriculture, is not apparent eyeni
the COMPANY was be compensated for their use. But
when il is understood that the Company was not deemed
entitled compensation for such occupation OF lts wires
be possbe 10 ascertain the extent to which Il
red 1t will not excite surprise tgat the Company be-
Another serious difficulty arose from the issuing of
orders from the signal Office TO the Companys employees
When the arran cement with the signal Office made
it was understood that all changes or notifications OF
the service should be & 70 the ePOyeS os
this course not adopted the signal once MAKING s ing
Company Thus In August, 1871, reports from Portland
Boston New York, and Baltimore were sent TO New
Orleans from Augusta without the knowledge OF the
Gomnanv's Officers aud in September other changes
were made in the transmission Of reports over the
In October arrangements were made with the Com
pany holding Offices open for the reception OF storm
Signal Reports on the goth OF December orders were
sent by the signal Oice several OF these Offices noti-
fvng them of the disconnance OF the reports for the
Winter notice OF such action was sent 10 the E1
ecutiye Office OF Company, and the fact was only
incidentally learned through the offices which had been
instructed In order 10 prevent te confusion ahu ue-
ronrement of business resulting from the issuing OF in
strncons by the Signal Office over the wires 10 the en-
nloyes of the Company, II became necessary TO give
notice that all orders relating to the working of the
Company's lines which did not come from the proper
Notwithstanding the frequent complaints and urgent
protests of the Company these abuses were not rem
eded II became necessary therefore, 1or the pr9tec
ton Of the COmpanys interests That some decided ac
ton should be taken and accoTdnsy after iut eonsd
Grafton OF the subject by the Executive committee no.
tce was given TO the Honorable Secretary OF War, by
letter dated March T. 1872 oil desire % 70 ternnhe & ,f
had been made but at the reqne. OF lhs slg9ai Oee
year. June 80, 1872 During the interval tne company
was invited send TO meet those OF the
Signal Office Washington, ON the second day OF May
1s2 for conference upon the matters pending between
The United States and the TELEGRAPH Companies Pur-
suant 10 this invitation the representatives OF the Com
many attended at the Signal Office that day aud being
invited TO submit proposition for continuing the trans
mission OF Weather Reports, they submitted the IoHo"
ITO transmit the weather Reports for the year sue
ceedng MAY "a 1872 substantially the basis fixed by
the POstmasterGenera Tor the transmission OF ele
graphic communications other than Signal service
Messages and Reportsthat Is 10 cent per word
for each circuit or distance of $50 miles, frac
tOpal part thereof, through when IL snail ne trans
mitted-the distance TO be computed by adding the as
tances from one station 10 anoher, WhIe ~
dropped received the route between the initial
and terminal stations OF each working circuit ana III
addition thereto Onefourth OF one cent per word Tor
each drop such intermediate sations all words to be
counted and no communication 10 DC AT rate less thah
II viii be seen that this was an offer TO transmit the
the conpensation established by the Postmaser-Gen
eral for other Government business except for the
extra required 10 take copies OF the reports a
intermediate stations on the circuits over which they
were transmitted.
requiredone to send the other to receive The
time of two operators ENGAGED at nermeciate stations
worth 10 the Company precisely the same as II they
engaged in sending and receiving messages IN the
ordinary But, as in the case or the weather Re
ports the operators connected herewith were all on the
same wire in any circuit. IL deemed equitable TO
treat four drops requiring four OPERATORS equivalent
10 the cost of ordinary transmission circuit Of 25o
mes and IL was therefore proposed to charge. in add
on 10 the one cent per word for each go miles,
fourth of cent per word Tor each drop at the inter-
This proposition was declined by the representatives of
the Signal Office and no offer was made then or subse
1uently TO the Company for the continuance OF the SER
vice. But the Congress then in session enacted pro-
vision the appropriation for continuing the weather
Reports during the next fiscal year. for supecting to
severe penalties any Telegraph Company which should
neglect refuse to perform any Geographic service Tor
the United States required Dy any 0neer theIeo AT
rate of compensation fixed by the POstmasterGeneral
| The Company informed that this provision was
drafted and submitted TO the Committee on Appropra-
tons by the representatives OF the signal Once ana s
enactment urged by them.
AT an interview between the representatives OF the
Signal Office and OF the Company after the adjournment
of Congress- and before the expiration Of the fiscal year.
the former distinctly declined 10 negotiate for continuing
the service alleging as reason that they had t1e ign
require it's performances. This right not admitted
| by the Company, and the service terminated.
The foregoing statements, together with those made In
previous Communications, contain all that ~ material
concerning the relations of the Signal Office and Of this
Company in connection with the transmission OF the
Weather Reports except the discussion Of ;he subject
before the Committee Appropriations OF the House OF
representatives As the official record OF the proceed
ngs before Committee has been published IL Is not
deemed necessary make further reference thereto In
| this connection.
IL is gratifying to the Company to know that the Signal
Office was able make satisfactory arrangements for
the transmission Of the Weather Reports by the lines OF
Telegraph COmpanlesWhereby this Company mas
been relieved from burdens which unable 10 bear
without inconvenience to the Signal Oice, and with
out deprvng the public OF the valuable results OF s
operations. have the honor TO be, very respectfully
| your Obedient servant,
| Csgned) WILLIAM ORION, President.
EorH-The bills Of Company transmitting Weather Re
we're paid by Of The Honorable Secretary Of Var
APPENDIX ID.
REBoSsTRANCE OF WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH
| COMPANY AGAINST THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH BILL.