The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1882-04-25
TELEGRAPH SERVICE IN TEXAS.

IELEUhAIh II EOEIlN IOL In 1EAAECt
The EXAMINER does mot know how
other daily publications in Texas are
affected by the telegraphic service of the
Western Union Telegraph Company,
but with this paper it has reached a pass
that is OnerOus in the extreme-so on
erous, in fact, that its operations are
not short OF an actual injustice With
in a few months past we have been com
PEELED to submit to an increase of one
hundred per cent. in the price of our as
soclated press report-this, too, without
any corresponding increase in the
quality or quantity of the
report. If this were all it
might be accepted in silence, no
matter what our opinion of the equity of
such a proceeding. But unfortunately
it Is not all. While rates have been
doubled the efficiency of the service has
been materially impaired until now it is
a steady annoyance. The daily reports
come with a degree of irregularity that
almost renders futile the most intelli-
gent and faithful efforts to issue a live
daily paper. Complaints to subordi-
mates IN Texas either elicit no response
at all or explanations that would
be laughable for their INSULT
cencv were it not for the gravity
of the interests involved. The fault
seems to lie III the utter inadequacy of
the companys equipment in this state
and the failure of subordinates to prop
erly manage and handle the volume of
business. If little rain storm occurs
the reports are cut short. "Wires
working badly" is the stereotyped plea.
A weather disturbance that would not
be noted in other states, suffices to par
alyze the telegraph system in Texas. In
like manner special reports, so essential
to the makeup of an energetic, sue
cessful newspaper, are manipulated
in manner to try the patience
and test the temper OF the customers.
Delays are the rule and not the eXcep-
ton. The telegraph, elsewhere cheer
ful and intelligent auxiliary of the
daily press, is made, here in Texas, to
play the part of whimsical, unreasona-
BILE agency. There does not appear to
be responsibility anywhere III Texas
no servant or employe of the company
competent or disposed to rectify a
grievance or investigate a complaint.
Commercial men inform us they are
subjected to the same sort of annoyance.
Cotton men are especially emphatic III
the reckless, devil-may- style
in which market reports are
transmitted. The same irresponsibility
is apparent when cotton men complain
as in our case. We cannot believe the
higher officials of the company are cog
nizant of the true condition of the tele-
graphic service in Texas. The Western
Uuion is monopoly, we grant but
surely its managers are not unmlndful
OF It's duties aud responsibilities as a
common carrier. We find individual
subordinates who seem anxious to pro-
mote efficiency and give satisfaction,
but their commendable efforts are rem
dered futile by the course Of other sub
ordinates, and thus it goes. The
EXAMINER would ike to hear the expert
ence of other Texas publications in this
this matter of daily news service; also
of commercial organizations throughout
the state. We have reliable intimations
that the hardships of which we complain
are shared by others. 1t is probable
| that united and appropriate presenta-
ton of existing facts to the managing
officials of the Western Union corpora.
ton may result IN better service. Ii
not, then the case is desperate one
1t is desperate enough now to evoke an
earnest effort for relief The daily pa
| pers want news and are willing to pay
for its transmission, but the class of
news I'VE mean associated press and the
manner in which If is served is of the
poorest,