The New York herald., 1877-02-15
TEIEGRApH1c COMPETITION.

TRANSFER OF LINES TO THE ATLANTIC AND
vIcToRY-THE FUTURE OF TRANSATLANTIC
TELEGRAPHY.
The recent struggle between the western'Unon and
Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph companies, which re-
suited in the securing by tho latter company of all
the Offices and lines the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
ROAD main.stem ana branches being totnl OF 175
Offices and ., 200 miles OF wire, which heretofore
included in the reports of the Western Union Com
pany, has been the notable victory yet achieved
by this young and energetic rival OF the older CON-
pany. This addition to the working force and terri-
tory covered by the Atlantic and Pacific will increase
it's Afford those OF the interior cities and
States opportunity TO send messages to Europe by
the Direct United States Cable which have heretofore
been sent by the Anglo-Amercan line. The western
Unions connections all with The latter line, while
the Atlantic and Pacific connections win the prcct
Cable Very recently reductions were made by the
Atlantic and Pacific, when were followed by The West
ern Union and not very long ago The Direct Cable re-
duccd the price OF transatlantc messages to 10 cents
per word from 81 word which was charged oy inc
Anglo-Amercan Company
GENERAL EcKgRr ExrLrASr
General Thomas I. Eckert, the President OF the
Atlantic ana Pacific yesterday expressed the OPINION
that the recent TO his linc would result IN
very material aid the Direct Cable company, as
there exists u twenty year contract between The TWO
conipapes aud ali increase OF business IN the ono
would necessarily inure 20 the benefit of the other.
The General thought that was great victory Tor the
Atlantic and Pacific Company Tor as he expressed II,
s'Wc have got some Iiing whIcn VIC uiu not nave
and the Western Union did
UpOu calling the Office Of the Direct Cable NO. 10
Broad street. this opinion was confirmed The recent
controversy in London between the Direct Cabo Com.
pany and tho AngioAmerican Company. which rs not
yet settled viii doubtless Affect the question OF the
rates for transatlantic telegraph service, no matter
which way terminates, but General Eckert thhks
that any event the settled contract between tho
Direct Cable and tho Atlantic and Pacific companies
will have 10 bo adhered " until its expiration, which
will be twenty years from next May.
PROSPECTIVE WAR OVER CABLE RATES
That there viii be u telegraph war of rates would
certain from tho reports that have been received
OF the recent meeting OF The Ango-Amcrican Com
pany. The question has got into the law courts IN
England and decision must be reached before March
g. which time the next meeting OF that company IS
TO be held. From the announcements oil the chairman
az the last meeting II would seem that If the decision
of tho Court the question OF the charman's ruling
favorable 10 the Direct Cable Company Lord MoncK,
the chairman OF the Ango-Amercan Company, mas
threatened that the latter company would at once IN
augurate an internccne war, which means "a war Oh
tariff and the probability that the rate would, in
that event, be Immediately put down TO twenty-five
cents q word where they were during their former
rivalry. IT, the other hand the decision Is adverse
Direct Company the question VIII be considered
how adjust rates IN manner more favorable 10 INC
interests oil the Anglo American Company, which
MEANS doubtless, higher tarii thah the one now eX
isting.
NEW CABIN PROJECTED.
The bill which the other day passed by Congress
| to establish cable between Baltimore and
Europe, with the proviso that the rates shall not ex
ceed shilling English about twenty-h centsl per
word is laughed by officers OF the Direct Cable
Company. They say that u is impossible TO maintain
"a cable such low rates, MS proved by the ruinous
| competition between the two existing cable
panes at those some time ago. This newly pro-
lected cable is to run from Baltimore to Holland,
which is entirely 100 long distance to send message
The power OF transmission through ocean cable do
pends entirely upon It's length, and alter 800 miles
tho cable begins 10 be 100 long. II would DO imposs
bic to obtain battery sufficiently powerful TO send
over such cable at faster rate than three words
minute whereas capacity of the English cables ID
twenty words u minute Such a cabIe as this projected
one would therefore, be absurdity II the cable Is
to taken around the south OF England and up the
Chan mel II becomes liable to be constantly picked up
by the numerous vessels which anchor there and If
aken around the north OF England would be so long
20 be comparatively worthless The competition,
therefore, such a route Is not feared by either OF
the two ira psatanlic cable companies now IN exist
encc but rather is invited, as the opinion Is that II
would undoubtedly tan and eventually pass into the
hands OF one OF the other OF them.