The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-03-19
Postal Telegraphy.

We give below a synopsis of the bill
known as the Hubbard Postal TELEGRAPH
Scheme, which provides for the incorpo.
ration OF private company to perform
the work Of postal biography under con.
tract with the Postmaster General. It
will be seen that the scheme contemplates
q material extension of the advantages of
modern telegraphy, by largely diminish.
ing its cost, and by encouraging its use
in business correspondence, and to that
extent relieving the mails Of q heavy
burden. The plan contemplates no
additional expense to the department, and
seems to carefully provide for the reeula-
ton of charges, ETC.:
Section provides that the Postmaster.
General shall establish telegraph Offices
at all Postofices on Geographic circuits,
and at all other Postoffices within ten
miles of any circuit where the salary of
the Postmaster is not less than $500 per
annum, and at such other places as, in
his Judgment, the wants of the public may
require.
Section provides that the charges for
the transmission of kilograms, excepting
service and Government kilograms, shall
be prepaid by stamps and at the follow.
ing rates for kilograms of twenty words
or less: When the distance of transmits
sion is under 200 miles, 80 cents; when
over 200 and under 500 miles, so cents (;
when over 500 and under $50 miles, Is
cents; when over $50 and under 1000
miles, Fl; for all greater distances, $1.25;
for kilograms directed to be transmitted
by night, 1000 miles or less, 80 cents; for
greater distances, 80 cents. All words
shall be counted, and for every five addi.
tional words or less one-fifth additional
rate shall be charged. These rates to
cover delivery within half q mile of the
telegraph Office. Governmental and
service kilograms to have priority in
transmission.
Section 8 fixes the rate for special dis
patches to newspapers and commercial
news associations as follows: For each
100 words or less, for each circuit of $50
miles, shall not exceed 70 cents if sent by
night and 81 by day; but when copies Of
the same dispatch are dropped off at one
or more Offices the rate for each office
shall not exceed SO cents by night and rs
cents by day, and at the same rate for
each word in excess, and 10 cents addi.
tional for each 100 words or less for mani
folding to each newspaper receiving it.
Section 4 authorizes the Postmaster
General to contract with the Postal Tele.
graph Company for the transportation of
correspondence by telegraph as his agent
for that purpose; such contract to
be terminable at the option of
Congress. The Postmaster General to
furnish suitable accommodation for the
employees and instruments of the com.
pany; said company to have the right on
all post routes; to keep its lines In good
working order, and promptly transmit all
kilograms. After the payment Of 10 per
cent. per annum upon its capital stock
its profits are to be appropriated to the
construction and the extension Of its
lines, and to the reduction of rates under
the direction of the Postmaster General.
Section provides that the Postmaster
General shall supply stamps of the proper
denomination, make proper rules and
regulations, defines the punishment to be
inflicted upon those who interfere with
the lines or the working thereof, or who
divulge the contents of any message that
may be transmitted.
Section 6 authorizes the Postmaster.
General to increase the rate Of transmits.
sion in any State or Territory which may
levy any tax or assessment upon the COM
pany until the increased amount realized
by the company equals such tax or IL
cense. It also provides for monthly state
ments from all Postmasters, and the Post
master General L. directed to cause to be
prepared for the company statement of
the amount Of telegraphic stamps sold,
and OF all other sums received for the
transmission Of telegrams, and Of the mum.
her Of kilograms received by the depart
ment, and their stamped value, and, after