Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-23
COMPETITION IN TELEGRAPHY

as IL was then ca piSooVN, ON N
ITCHY of conscience"
COMPETITION IN TELEGRAPHY.
There is nothing that is doing more
to solve the problems of American civil
ization than cheap travel and cheap
methods of communication between the
different sections Of the country. When
a man can be transported from one end
of the country to the other at about the
cost of staying at home; and when the
citizen of Boston can sit down and con-
verse with the citizen of San Francisco,
about as cheaply as he can send a COM
munication by mail, we have virtually
abolished space and Incorporated the
whole country into one community.
Every mans business will command
the patronage of the United States, and
every section Of the country will in great
measure be placed upon an equality
with every other section.
There is at this time very little other
advantage than that of climate between
one locality and another. We eat and
wear the products of every other section
as layishly as those of our own. The
one remaining problem is, how to make
them cheaper, or, in other words, how
can we still further promote the facilities
for cheap and speedy inter-communica-
tom And, we believe the grandest
stride in this direction is in the compete
ton that is soon to be established in
telegraphy. Nothing solves the problem
of expense in any enterprise like COM
petition. Hitherto We have depended
upon a single corporation for our tele-
crap facilities. Now, the way will he
opened for that individual or company
who can send our messages the cheapest
to step forth as claimant of the public
patronage.
The unanimity with which the bill
known as the JONES telegraph bill has
already passed both Houses OF Congress
twice, within the last three months, in
sures the right to railroad companies to
open their lines for general business.
Even in the event of veto of the army
bill, of which JONES bill is a part, the
Washington Post says "the original
JONES bill will be introduced as an in
dependent measure and passed without
delay"
eve have reason to believe" says
the POa, ''that the proposed law will re-
suit in the establishment of q competing
line of telegraphy that will afford relief
from the monopoly that has so long ex-
isted. The leading railroad managers
were the very first persons to signify
their approval of the measure, and, in
fact, as soon as il became apparent that
il could be- enacted into law, they or
ganized for the purpose of putting it in
to effect. This organization embraces
all the principal railway lines, except
those controlled by Vanderbilt, whose
interest in the Western Union induced
him to stand by ii. The delay caused
by the failure of the army bill has
been utilized by the companies pro-
posing 20 take advantage Of the
Jones bill in extending their lines OF
telegraph so that they will, without loss
Of time, be prepared TO engage in public
business. Within the past few weeks
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad has
erected additional wires, running into
Washington, and il is understood that
this company is to be the first to brake
from the old order Of things and enter
upon the new competition. Senator
Jones has received the most substantial
assurances from prominent railway Of
ficials Of their intention 10 establish by
combination line of telegraph that will
meet all the requirements Of the coun-
try. According TO the terms Of the Jones
law the government will have a super
wishing power over the rates of the COM
bination, and this would prevent any
pooling" arrangement with the present
monopoly. OF all the monopOlies that
have flourished and fattened in this
country none has ever been more AFRO
CANT OF oppressive than the Western
Union Telegraph Company. Efforts to
establish competing lines have only re-
suited in benefit 10 this corporation, as
its vast wealth enabled il first to break
down the opposition and then buy up
its property at low valuation. Ii has
swallowed up everything, and il the
great railroad interests OF the country
can be arrayed against it, and so COM
bined as 10 furnish even a fair Compel
ing line, then will Senator Jones have
indeed won the gratitude OF all classes
Of our people. lie has devoted his
time and his ability industriously and
faithfully to this practical measure of
relief, and TO him will the country be
l.. NJ =. ,ka ,,oo.l M hal;o,.o yr,u