The Portland daily press., 1875-02-22
WASHINGTON.
The Western Union Telegraph Company
and the American Press Association.

and the American Press ASSOCIATION.
WASHINGTON, Feb 20.-The subcommittee
of the House Committee on Judiciary. com
menced to-day the examination of William
Orion relative to the business affairs of the
Western Union Telegraph Company. 1t APP
pears from his testimony that no two press con-
tracts with the company are alike, dlfferent
rates being charged for different classes of ser
vice. The company could afford to charge less
to those who did large regular business over
the wires than to parties who send only small
amount ..t-. .-s..'
He was asked whether the wealthy papers in
utilization with the New York Associated Press
had not greater facilities than those OF limited
means, and whether first-class papers could not
obtain their dispatches cheaper than those of
less prominence.
Mr.. Orion thought they could, because of the
larger surface covered in the arrangements.
AS to the American Press Association: it gets
work done over the Atlantic and Pacific Tele-
graph Company's wires great deal cheaper
than it would have to pay for like amount OF
service over the Western Union lines. The
reason why contract with the American
Press Association was refused, was that by
taking off a part of the business of its best
customers and serving that association for less,
heavy loss to the company would have been
occasioned.
He was asked whether, in the case of the
Commercial Bulletin, lot in the New York
Associated Press arrangement, there would be
difference in the Geographic charges to that
paper, sending 10000 words, and the charge to
the Associated Press, sending exactly the same
matter. - -
Mr.. Orion replied that there would be, as the
business with the New York paper mentioned
would be but g single transaction and indepen-
dent OF any previous contract.
AT the afternoon session of the Judiciary
Committee, the examination of Orion having
been resumed, he said there was no formal con-
tract between the Western Union and the New
York Associated Press, but these memoranda
were chaugeable from time to time according
to the character of the service. The news
furnished to the press was not the property of
the telegraph company but exclusively of the
New York Associated Press. There was no
arrangement or understanding between the
telegraph company and the Associated Press
which would prevent other parties from send
ing dispatches over its wires at the same rates
that intelligence was sent to other parties.
james w. Simemton, agent for the New
York City Associated Press, testified that the
Press Company has DO partnership with the
Western Union, and that that company was
under no obligation to the Associated Press not
to make arrangements with others for the
transmission of news, nor was there any ar
rangement by which the Western Union Co.
was to come to the Associated Press for news.
In answer to question witness said: ''rhe
New York Associated Press sometimes refuses
to deliver dispatches to newspapers" As a
case in point he referred to the Petersburg In
deX, which had contrary to contract and in
consequence of an interruption to Geographic
communication bv thunder storm, violently
denounced the Associated Press. The Western
Union Telegraph Company had nothing what
ever to do with the controversies between the
Associated Press and newspapers, and had no
power to prevent the furnishing dispatches to
newspapers who attacked the Western Union
Telegraph Company Even if so disposed it
could exert no such influence. The business OF
the Western Union Company and Associated
Press was independent and altogether separate.
The Louisiana Reports,
The Louisiana Committee will report through
Mr.. Foster Tuesday, and and a minority report
will be submitted through Mr.. G. f. Hoar.
The report of the committee, which will be
signed by Messrs Foster Phelps, Potter and
Marshall, will adhere to the original views pre-
sented by thr sub committees report, and will
contain recommendation that resolution
urging the proper authorities in Louisiana 10
give the control of the lower House to the
Conservative members, be adopted by the
House. Some of those signing the report will
express their willingness to support resolution
formally recognizing the Kellogg. government,
but this resolution their report does not urge
for the reason that the rights of Kellogg have
not been established by any evidence taken by
the comm ttee, but are admitted upon general
reasons as the best possible solution of the
present difficulties.
Various Matters.
The Republican Senators held caucus this
morning on the order of business. There was
much discussion on various measures including
the civil rights bill, but no agreement was ar.
rived at on any point.
Ohio Republicans in Washington are max
ing arrangements for vigorous campaign in
their state.
The trunk containing specimens OF ores, pho
tographs, etc, which was stolen from an ex-
press wagon. has been recovered and returned
to the Austrian Minister, its owner. The
thief has been arrested.
Various members of the House are pre- pairing
speeches on the Arkansas matter, which
comes up this week.
The Committee Oh War Claims report adj
versey on bill to pay indemnity to the owners
of the Phllo Parson and Island Queen seized by
a piratical expedition on Lake Ere in Sept,
1864.
There is no probability of either House or
Senate telegraph bills passing this Congress.