New-York tribune., 1875-02-22
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH Az
FAIRS.
INVESTIGATION BEFORE A HOUSE COM.
MlrTEE.

INVESTIGATION BEFORE A HOUSE COM
MlrTEE.
TESTIMONY OF PRESIDENT oRToN-PREss CONTRACTS
or SIMPLE BUSINESS MISUNDERSTANDING OF
J.w sIMONToN-No CONNECTION WITH THE Asso-
GATED PRESS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-The Sub Committee of
the House Committee tho judiciary began to-day tue
examination OF President OrtOn relative the business
fairs OF the Western Union Telegraph Company It
Dpe red from his testimony that no two press contracts
with the Company are alike. different rates being
charged FOR different classes OF service. The Company
could afford charge less those who did large
uar business Its than to those who only
small quantities, the prucpe that railroad com
pany could afford to charge cheaper reghts TO whole
sale dealers than to occasional customers who sent
bit little over it's road. He was asked whether
tho wealthy papers in afliation with the
Sew-York Associated Press had not greater IA
cilities than those of limited means, and whether
hstcass papers could not OBTAIN their dispatches
cheaper than those Of less prom,nence. Mr.. Orion
tnou sht they could, because of the larger
cred IN the arrangemeuts AS 10 tue American Press
Association 1t got It's work done over the Atlantic and
Pacific Telegraph lines great deal cheaper tnan 1t
would pay for ike amount or service over the West
Union Ines Tne reason why the Western Union
Press Association was mat by taking of a
aud serving that Association for less, heavy
loss to the Company woLld hHye been occasoned.
Bulletin, in the NewYOrx Associated Press ARRANGE
ment, tuere would be q difference IN the tecgraphlc
charges TO that paper sending 1000 words, ana the
to tue Associated Press sendiug exactly tie
matter. Mr OrtOn replcd tlat, ,tlere would,
the business with the NewY rk paper mentioned would
be but single trahsacdon and indepondent OF any pre-
ylOus contract.
the session the examination OF Mr. Orton
having resumed, he sid that there fUrm.
contract between the Western Unl0n Company aud tne
New York Associated Press but mere memoranda,
chlneeaO!e irun time to ne according to the eharac
the service. Tho news furnished u the press
the property OF the Western Union Telcgrdpn Com
pany exclusively OF the New York Associated Press
There was no arraugemeut VI understanding between
tue Company and the Associated Press which would
prevent other prrsous scndug dispatches over Its wires
he same rates.
NJ James W. Simonton, General Agent Of the New
YORK Associated Press. testified as TO the nature or his
dudes Tue Associard Press no pa rtnersnip wit h
the Western ULon Telegraph COMPANY, aud that Com
pany under no Obligation to tine Associated Press
10 ake arraDgemchts with others for the transmis
Western Union TO come 70 the socated Press
tor news. In answer to question, the wituess said
lIat Tue Associated Press sometimes refuses 10 deliver
dispatches 10 tue newspapers ana us ease III point,
rary 10 Contract ana In cVus qienco of an interruption
10 teleeraphlc communication Oy thunder storm, vo-
leny denounced tue Associated Press. Ia consequence
or tLs CONDUCT no uf The Lder tho witIess had
pared circular 10 aIrns, Ia the way or lnIormaOn
Instruction. 10 the ell CT tat te General Agent de-
sired To De privately III Urc OF all trouble 50 that Jll-
dculties be remeGed II not beyond control aud, not
ouirCting To puIJs, invited Ia ali cases Tue
with the controversies beCwoeD the Associated Press
aud newspapers ana had NJ power 10 prevent the fur-
nshiDg of DISPATCHES 10 newspapers that attacked Tue
Western UAIOu Company even IL the western Unlon
ence. Tne Of Aesterl Uulon Company and
tue Associated Press was lDdepouLent aud Altogether
separate
fue Committee adtoIr1ci until Monday.