Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-09

I ton Oh the lclcSFdpu OOlsOl-
idatiOn-It IL all for the Inter-
est OF the Press and the Pub
lie.
A reporter Of the World was yester-
day sent to get the views OF Jay Gould
in regard to the recent consolidation OF
the three telegraph companies and the
results. Gould expressed his entire
willingness to SPEAK on the subject
when the following conversation en-
sued:
Reporter-Has the consolidation Of
the telegraph companies, Mr.. Gould,
against which Rufus Hatch asked an in
junction, been finally accomplished
GOuld-It has.
Reporter-So that il is not likely to
be disturbed by any legislative or judi
cial action
Gould Ii is a complete transaction;
completed on Just and fair terms TO all
concerned, As we'll as 10 the public and
i'm rompliance with the law, so that II
cannot Ice disturbed by legislation, as
YOU will see by the very able decision oil
Judge Barrett.
Rgporter-This being the case, per-
/ hans Won will not object stating wh9t
/ was the object of the constellation
Gould-Certainly not, on the contrary
7 am very clad TO have the opportunity
IN saw the object Of consolidation was to
carry out long cherished plan OF devel-
opipy in the United states an efficient
system Of cheap telesraphy on great
scale. both 10y land and by sea. men
/ was in Europe IN 1879, / was struck
by seeing how much more freely the
telegraph was used in ordinary private
/ business there than in this country.
f. This is especially true OF Switzerland.
D OF course the distances To be covered IN
/ this country are so enormous and the
| populat!Ons 50 sparse we cannot Tor
some time TO come expect 10 see the
work of covering the whole country
with a telegraphiC system done as cheap
Is here as in a little country like swift
zrrland But | am very sure that under
one system without conflicting Interests
20 look after, and with the expenses OF
only one organization instead oil threeor
tour % be met, such economies can he
introduced into American telegraphy
that the rates beth to the press and to
the public can be gradually an" sys'
Dramatically Cheapened without impair
ing the efficiency OF the service.
Reporter-Du you think then TINS VIII
be the result OF the change?
Gould-Ot course | DO; for 1t Will be
the policy and purpose OF the new COM
psny 10 effect this. went into 1t with
this view and | shall certainly use my
constant effort and all my influence to
make this policy and this purpose sue
cessiul.
Reporter OF course you know this IS
not the general impression and that
there are movements on the produce,
stock and cotton exchanges LOOKING 70
new Geographic projects
Gould-Ies, | know that, and | am
not surprised at these projects, nor at
/ the soliritude with which the merchants
/ and business men have looked at the
consolidation about which 50 many SEN
/ satjonal stories have been ahOat. ii
there had been any truth in these
stories, whatever, the exchanges would
. have yeIy good reasons 10 set about
organizing new companies. But when
| sensible people come 20 understand Gen.
. Eckcr.'S practical, comprehensive plans
\ for the future, which embrace the estab'
| fishing of direct, special wires between
I the business exchanges all over the
country, and putting them into direct
communication vii each other and
with the great markets OF Europe, |
think they will see matters in different
light. Ny idea of Geographic system IS
to supply everybody who wishes con-
troll % telegraphiC facilities with those
facilities giving private business houses
wires and operators OF their own when
ever they require them, and doing the
same thing for the newspapers, ex-
changes, railways-in short, all inter
pS;S
Rcporter-I observe Won speak OF
COMMUNICATIONS with Europe. How
will consolidation affect cable matters?
Gould-Very favorablv, because the
new company now has under contract
through "A new cable organized at Albany
two cables between this country anu
England which are To be laid early IN
the coming summer. Cables will also
be laid to other points.
Reporter-Then you contemplate a
general cable and Geographic system
around the world
Gou.d-Certainly we do; and We con-
template such a system ss an American
system OF which New York and not
London shall be the centre. see no
reason why the United States should
permit a position which geographically
belongs to us to be taken away from us
by England.