New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-16
HEAVY STORM IN THE WEST.
LETTERS FROM TIE PEOPLE.
TELEGRAPH COMPETITION.
REDUCTIONS BY 1HE WESTERN UNION REvIEwE


REDUCTIONS BY 1HE WESTERN UNION REVIEWED
AND EXPLAINED.
TO the EdftOr or The Tribune
SIR: fnOtice an article in your paper of this
morning giving the substance OF an interview between
one Of your reporters and DR. Norvin Green, VccPres
dent OF the Western Union Telegraph Company, from
which it would appear thai the Western Union Company
had been pioneer reducing telegraph rates aimee
the general consolidation of lines in 1866, ami which
mentions that tat company made reduction from
81 80 for ten words Ia 1866 TO ~ 80 between NewYor
and San Francisco before the Atlantic and Pacific Com
pany began business believe there few persons
who understand well the venerable Vice President
tina. the Western Union Company has never made any
reduction in its rates. except when compelled by compe
tion actually in operation hand TO lead
the managers Of that company to suppose that they
could prev its extension b. making such reduction
The Atlantic and Pacific Company began practical opera
ton about OF the general consolidation of the
then existing lines in 1866. having then line completed
only from NcwYork to Albany. As it threatened to
tend west OF Albany, the Western Union Company not
only made reduction to that pOIn but also To Utica,
Svracusc and Rochester. As the Atlantic and Pacific
line extended. the western UuiOn Company continued
this policy Of decreasing rates few miles in advance OF
IT, thereby placing IN the hands OF the projectors Of the
Atlantic and Pacific limo the beat possible argument for
the continued extension Of their line When ncSota-
tons were begun with Pacific railroads by the ATTAIN
tic and Pacific Company while the probability OF their
contamination was ridiculcd by the Western Union.
The possibility OF competing connection with
California. together with the fact that It's existing
rate OF - 30 almost prChiD!tOry, awakened the
generosity the Western tuOn Company To so great an
extent that il reduced the NeN-lOrk ana san Francisco
late to 80. After telegraph competition mad been es!D-
lSei and proved ability u serve IT'S patrons, be-
tween Atlantic aud Pacific tOasis the regard OF the
Western Union COpIny for the Interest OF the public
led 10 further reduction 10 - 3d. and during the last
year aectionatc admUnitiOn. on the pdt of IN Az
untic and Pacific Company has led the western Union
Ia make the rate -. Ia" IVES cr1l Union Company has
this morning announced it, reduction or rates from New
York Chicago and incinat 10 % cents ana 10 other
points in spending proportion 10 meet the rates o
ihc Atlantic aId Pacific Company, as established Jan l.
after having given oJt the statement That II would hotdo
So but would permit The Atlantic AMI Pacific Company to
90 To ruin under such The statement OF Dr. Green
thar the Western Union Company has Increased us rclt
nue. by every Ot tarrS made, IL the pest evil
decc tie people desire that the policy OF that CON-
pany toward the pIbi" and toward telegraph cOinpc-
iitiOn, thoroughly unWiSe ana UNJUST ana tht
the of the mpTacticabiy OF lower rates lne
in testimony by President Of the western Union
Company before IL Congressional committee on certain
occasion years ago, was, To say the least,
serious error Of judgment , A. ,r. ,-,
IL is "A most significant fact that the western Union
Company notwithstanding the great dement, 10 IL
according 10 Dr. Cir ems stl emcnt-0f the reductions 10
which mas been compelled by the Atlantic ana Pacihc
COMPANY, never makes any reductions excepting 10
points reached by the lines Of the Atlantic and Pacific
Company. CALiio'hA''
Ns0- York. Jan. Is. 1877.