Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-07
Jay GOULD TALKS.

The FeIegraphic Consolidation Entirely IL
the Interests OF the Public at Large
cnAoper Rates and More Efficient Ser
vice.
New YORK, Feb. GA reporter OF the
World was yesterday sent to get the news Of
jay Gould in regard to the recent consolida
tion of the three telegraph companies, and the
results. Gould expressed his entire willingness
TO speak on the subject when the following
conversation ensued:
Reporter-Has the consolidation OF the tele-
graph companies, Mr.. Gould, against which
Rufus Hatch asked an Injunction, been nnally
accomplished?
Mr.. Gould-It has
Rep-So that it is not likely to be disturbed
by any legislative or judicial action.
Gould-Certainly. 1t is competent tran
saction, completed on just and fair terms 10
al concerned as well Us to the puone, ana IN
compliance with the laws, so that 1t cannot be
disturbed bv legislation, and, as you Will see
bv the very able decision of Judge Barrett,
which has been coneueed in by the attorney
general of the State courts, affirm the absolute
legality of all that has been done.
Reporter-This being the case, perhaps you
win not object to stating what was the object
of consolidation?
Gould-Certainly not. On the contrary
am very glad to have an opportunity 10 say the
object of the consolidation was to carry out
LONG cherished plan of developing in the Uni
fed States an efficient system of cheap tele-
rronhy on a great scale both by sea and land.
when I was in Europe in 1879 was struck by
seeing how much more freely the telegraph
was IIsed in ordinary private business there
than in this country. This IS espe-
.eiallv true of Switzerland. Of course
the distances to be covered in this
country are so enormous and populaton
sparse we cannot for some time to come ex-
nect 10 see the works of covering the whole
country with the telegraph system so cheaply
as in a country like Switzerland, but l am
sure that under one system without conflict
inc interests to look after, and with the eX.
penses of only one organization instead OF
three or four to be met, such economies can
be introduced with American telegraphy, that
rates to the press and public can be gradually
and Systematically reduced Without lnJurlng
the efficiency of the service.
Reporter-Do You think, then this VIII DC
the result of the change.
Gould-Of course I do, for 1t Will be the
policy and purpose of the new company 10
effect this. I went into it with this view, and
I shall certainly use my constant effort and all
nv influence to make this policy and this
purpose successful.
keporter-Of course you know lhls Is not
the general impression, and that there are
movements in the produce, stock and cotton
Exchanges looking to new telegraphic projects
Gouid-Yes, know this, and am not sur
prised at these projects, nor at the solicltude
with which merchants and business men have
have looked ct the consolidation, about which
go many stories have been set afoat. II there
had been any truth in these stories whatever,
the exchanges would have very good reason 10
set about organizing new companies, but When
sensible people come TO understand zen: Eek
ert's practical and comprehensive plans for the
future, which embrace establishing direct
special wires between business exchanges all
over the country, and putting them into di-
rect communication with each other and with
the great markets of Europe, think they will
see matters in a differe Mt light. My idea OF
telegraph system is to supply everybody who
wishes control Of telegraphc facilities with
those facilities giving private business houses
wires and operators of their own whenever
they require them and doing the same thing
for the newspapers, exchanges ana
raiIways-in short all interests.
Reporter-I observe you speak OF communi-
cations with Europe How will consolidation
affect cable matters?
Could Very favorabiy, because the new
company row has under contract through the
new cable company organized at Albany, Two
cables betwten this country and England,
which are to be laid carly the coming sum
mer. Cables will also be laid FROM Cuba,
where they will connect with our present sys-
tenn to other West India islands, to Brazil and
other ports Of South America, as we'll
as from San Faneisco To China
.yapan, Oceannica and Australia with the
Northern line by way OF Puget Sound to
Alaska and Northern Asia, connected IN Kan
schatka with the Russian system, so that at
no distant date St. Petersburg will be in COM
munication with New York via Asia, as we'll
as Europe and England, will reach her Aus
tralian colonies through New York ana 0y
our American lines cheaper and more expedl-
tiously than by English wires through the
Red Sea and via India,
Reporter-Then you contemplate general
cable and telegraphic system around the world.
Gould-Certainly we do, and we contem.,
rlate such system as an American system, OF
which New York and not London, shall be the
center. I see no reason why the United States
should permit position which geographical
" belongs to the United States to be taken
away from us by England. While the tele-
craph companies of this country were fight
fnr each other for domestic business, they
could neither do domestic business on sound
principles nor do anything to compete with
Great Britain for the general telegraphie busl-
ness of the world. Now, we have changed al
this; how completely, you may judge, when
tell YOU that since the consolidation SlO,O0O,
900 has been subscribed to carry our new CABLE
connections into effect