The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-30
THE CABLE MONOPOLY.--MODES OF RELIEF.

From the Journal OF Commerce. April 2a.l
Next Thursday, May 1, the new eXtortlon OF
fifty per cent advance in cable rates goes into
eficct. We have already denounced this breach
OF faith, this outrage on the public patience in the
terms 1t deserves; but II is a theme that invites
frequent and most indignant comment, and we
mean to cut and come at 1t again and again until
the company learns that 1t cannot with impunity
repudiate Its pighted word and sacrifice every
thing and everybody to its insatiate avarice. If
merchant should seek to increase his line of Gus
toners by announcing that on and after certain
day he would reduce the price of his goods
twenty-five per cent TO all who bought from him
up to that time and then should turn about and
run up the prices on them fifty per cent,
that operation would fairly be called false pre-
tence. This is precisely what the cable company
has done. as We explained In a former article. It
tempted its patrons into making arrangements for
regular dispatches some time ago by the promise
that on and after the LIST OF May the then exorbi-
tant rates would be cut down one-quarter; and
now that the newspapers and business houses have
perfected all their plans Tor a larger use OF the
cable. and engaged new correspondents in the
various capitals of Europe, the INSCRIPTIONS cable
management coolly tells US that the rates have
been raised fifty per cent on the former price,
100 per cent on the tariff promised. The
This cable company owes its existence
to the aid obtained from the United
states government I'm money and ships ard
rom the press But for government patronage
and wnoe.souied newspaper support there would
be no working ocean cable to-day. The moment
the cable was operative, the press became It's
most liberal and constant patron. and has con-
ony ea and aupey There r eeHea
has been a time when the newspapers
were decently treated by the cable people II any
concession was made or promised II was seemingly
only for the purpose OF enticing the press into
new arrangements for correspondence. or which
than taaE ndtan
by advancing the rates, or by throwing every
obstacle IN the way of the press obtaining pri-
delay press dispatches far out OF their rightful
order. The cable company hos always treated its
enemy Sa0 AT tea last our patience long and sorey
tried, gives way, and we cast about for some
relief from this greediest and most coldblooded
the pride OF power can be taken out OF tins
boated corporation. one is the laying OF a cable
by the governments OF the United States and Eng
land. We are opposed, on principle, 10 the as
sumption OF the work by the United states gov
eminent, in whole or part But there are two
do not deny that there Is much force In the
arguments that can be used against our own:
be but an extension OF the original policy by which
the present cable company was assisted. That
concern would have no right to oppose the princI-
pie OF the thing. Our government could claim that
there was an absolute necessity Tor owning lalone.
or in company with Englandl a cable through
which it could send without the least delay the
constantly growing heaps OF kilograms TO its finan-
cial agents and diplomatic and consular represent.
Geneva the American government patronized the
cable enormously, paying enough into the treasury
OF the monopoly TO make handsome dividend on
the stock. We have no doubt that henceorth, owing
to the exceedingly intimate and fast increasing re-
atons between this country and Europe, the neces-
sary government patronage of the cable company
Will nearly amount TO the interest and the OF
laying new one. All that can be said In behalf OF
the government purchase OF the land telegraph
lines and the creation OF a postal telegraph sys-
tem-to which we are opposed-could be said with
IN HQt
to Europe. All government undertakings OF this
character are theoretically Objectionable, but this
desire, we presume, will be felt throughout the
country that the government should now engage
reasons can be given. IN the event Of
government cable being laid, the
pres, and the public at large would
az last Be honestly forced 70 say that the case Was
another escape rom this lntolerabIe tyranny and
that Is Tor the press OF America to lay its own
cable. The press is strong enough and rich enough
aid to almost any extent Primarily the object OF
the press would be to get its own dispatches
done, there would still be ample time Tor the
transaction OF an immense quantity OF other
allies and supporters OF the press, would
be peculiarly inclined TO assist In the laying OF a
cable under press auspices. IL would everywhere
be felt that 50 powerful an institution as the Amer
lean press, which manages Its own concerns so
successfully, could be trusted TO manage q cable
with economy and profit to all concerned, and with
a system and despatch unknown to the monopoly.
A press caSie would coin money at rates far less
than those now charged and. what is of great Inn
portance, the public need have fear that such a
cable would be sold out to the grasping combina-
ton. IL would always be Tor the interest OF every
newspaper concerned In the enterprise to keep up
the competing company; for there is no assurance
that any terms which the press might make with
the monopoly in selling out a company OF Its own
would not be perfdousy broken the very next
day. We could say much more in support OF the
plan OF q press cable, but at this time only throw
out the thought Tor general discussion.