The New York herald., 1879-09-16
TELEGRAPH WAR ENDED.
COMPROMISE ENTERED INTO BY THE RIVAL
COMPANIES AT BUFFALO.

COMPROMISE ENTERED INTO BY THE RIVAL
COMPANIES AT BUFFALO.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
BUFFALO, n. Y. Sept. Is. 1872
After the obtaining of counter injunctions by both
telegraph companies. which were returnaole at
Lockport tomorrow. the officials decided 70 make
some amicable arrangement. Negotiations were
commenced this morning aud continued the greater
part OF the day, and compromise was finally ef-
fected the terms being that the Western Union
Company permitted to carry their wires
down Seneca street. so that their lowest wire
shall be at least thirty-six feet above the grade
or the sidewalk, and the American Telegraph Com
pany carry their wires down Pearl street at NOT
more than thirty feet above the sidewalk. Ad-
ditiona wires allowed to be run; but in no case
must either company come nearer than two feet OF
each other. By the agreement one company goes
the other side OF the street. and the other
the other side. All suits are also to be dis
ton of the emnIoves to- follow. No further attempt
is to be made to block each other for twelve months
Both parties however. reserve the right 10 enforce
their legal rights. AS soon as this agreement was
signed work commenced and everything is progress
ing quietly now.
CAUSE OF THE CONFLICT AT BUFFALo--INTER-
VIEWS WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE AMEII-
THE WESTERN UNION.
JOsepn owen, secretary OF the American Union
Telegraph Company called upon yesterday at
his residence, in East Twenty-frst street. by
HERALD reporter and questioned iu regard to the
causes which led to the telegraph prevailing
in Buffalo. In reply to the reporters inquiries
Mr.. Owen said:--"The policy of the Western Union
has been to ascertain the routes would select in
various Cities and to distribute and erect poles
those routes during the night by employing large
bodies of men. We were early informed that an
attempt would be made to do this in Buffalo, but in
tho construction of lines in this State we have
in all asked permission of city councils before
beginning our work. Consent was given by the
councils Of Buffalo more than three weeks ago for
tho construction of lines along the routes des
ignated. This route was entirely distinct from the
occupied by the Western Union. but in two or
three necessarily crossed theirs at intersectng
streets. That company seemed to make no open
opposition to the construction of our lines there
but early ascertained that they had prepared q
large number of tall poles, intending to place them
at the ntersecting streets, and by placing large
number of wires upon them, efectually bar the
way against the American Union especially from
reaching Commercial Wharf where the business of
the Western Union Is about thousand dollars per
day. Mr.. s. b. Clifford, the superintendent OF the
Western Union that division took this work under
his immediate direction and gave his orders that
under condition were the American Union to
construct their line to the Commercial Wharf OF his
intention the American Union were advised. and on
distribution Of our poles and their erection during
the night. BY Saturday night at one O'Clock the
line far constructed that We apprehended
no further trouble. At that hour, after the work
had ceased, the Western Union summoned u large
teree began to err erect their tall poles and and strung
streets, intending to put large number of wires
across Pearl street at that point. The American
Union Company was at once summoned to the
ground by watchmen. and both parties work.
ing in conflict throughout Saturday till nine
O'Clock; but the American Union had succeeded
in completing their line of eight wires at this
point, when all parties were arrested and work
ordered to be suspended till noon to-day. To-
day the Western Union Company Will be
joined f they have not been enjoined already from
further interfering with the construction OF our
lines. We have secured counsel in Buffalo. and
have fears of the result It Is not to bo presumed
that the Western Union intends to prevent the
| only intends to delay their completion. every
| days delay is worth $4,000 to them. The public
have no idea whatever OF the rapid increase Of this
telegraph business since the return Of activity in all
| lines of trade"
THE WESTERN UNIONS SIDE.
| Dr. Norvin Green, president of the Western Union
| Telegraph Company. when interviewed by HERALD
reporter in regard to the troubles at Buffalo said:-
1.-THE hrst knowledge had Of any trouble late on
Saturday afternoon, after the row had commenced
| and when the men had been arrested My only in
structions, which then sent out. Of general
natureto employ counsel and to take his advice so
preserve right OF way beyond the possibil-
ity Of constant interruption. 1t is very difficult to
build two lines Of telegraph along the street,
and especially along the same side of the street. As
| we were there before the American Union Company
have interfere with wires. Moreover, we had
ordered the construction Of additional wires our
lines required higher poles to accommodate our in
creased business They proposed to cross over our
wires with higher poles just at q time when
were increasing our own facilities without hav-
ing to build additional line. II they had crossed
under our wires probably NO objection would have
been made. In any such crossing the upper wires
necessarily have the advantage, because the wires
below them cannot get up to interfere with those
above. while the upper wires may get down and in
terfere with the lower ones. Our boys ran up their
poles to compel these parties to go under wires
AS rights Of way established long ago it is
not unnatural to suppose that had it such q
purpose, and especially for such construction
business might require, and that We had the choice
of top bottom tor our wires. proposition has
just come to me for settlement to allow them to
cross under wires. aud that further inter
ference he had with the construction of their wires
the city of Buffalo Ihave answered that the first
part be accepted but shall the right to
resist their construction wherever believe 1t will
interfere with the construction Of our wires"
SrRAws-rhe swelling Of the OF The
more thun ton copies within At