The Portland daily press., 1884-02-01
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
DIR. Norvin Green Testifies b Before the SEN

DIR. Norvin Green Testiies Before tho Sem
ate Committee.
WAsHINGToE, Jan. 3l.-The Senate commit
tee on post offices and post roads to-day began
it's hearing of arguments from interested par
ties, on the subject of the proposed government
tai ownership or control of the telegraph sys-
tenn.
DR.. Norvin Green, president Of the Western
Union Company, addressed the committee.
He said be should confine himself tn the ques-
tion OF policies as to whether it was worth
while for the government to undertake the
telegraph business. The government system
OF Europe had been established, with the ex-
ception of that of England, as protection for
the governments, as means of learning what
was going on and of defeating conspirators
Under this government, no necessity existed
for such a course. Unless there was something
defective In the services rendered there seemed
to be no reason why the government should
take hold of the telegraph. He mentioned
that we had telegraphic facilities in larger
proportion TO the population, better service
and cheaper service than In any country of
Europe and he was prepared to substantiate
that, in any careful investigation, reductions
wers The rule as the result of consolidation.
There was but one exception, consolidation
with the Atlantic and Pacific, previous to
which competition had pushed down the rates.
He explained the apparently cheaper rates of
counted once Ia every country through which
1t passed, while in this country it was couated
but once. No company could send 20 words
Tor 20 cents without loss. In this country op-
orators were paid higher rates, material was
more expeDs ", and all cost of constfuc-
ton was greater. A new tariff was in process
of preparation to go into effect on 1st of March,
giving maximum rate one dollar, for which
sum message could he ssUt 1900 miles from
h al fA1kto Washington Territory.
raf r., IA anpaao ~ m. oats
said be would furnish the committee with o
copy of the crhtrsct 18th the associated press
Il contained he said, clanse that no cheaper
rates shonid be- made with any other associa-
ton without giving he associated press the ad-
vantage OF the reduction. A careful estimate
o. the cost of press work performed By the
Western Uuiou showed AN average of 81 cents
per hundred words. The excess of social tele-
grams in Switzerland, Belgium, France and
other countries of Europe was due to the fact
ira. that was the playground of the world.
Millions OF wealthy tourists were there every
year with no other business than to enjoy
Themselves and nothing but social affairs to
teles raph about.
with reference to capitalization of the Wes-
tern Union Company, he said it made no diff
erence with tie rates II no profits were made
Il a as all the some aud whether the capital
was small or great there had been capitalza-
tion OF the stock since 1866 without represen-
tatlon In values. In conclusion he asked that
the Western Union be heard before the COM
mittee through an attorney and that the cam-
miitee tix day when it would hear Mr.. Ey-
arts.
Mr.. Gardner G.. Hubbard, who was present
stated 10 the committee that he desired to be-
heard and would attempt TO contravert some
of the poiuts made by DIR. Green. Dr.. Green
had said that unless something was defective
In the service no reason cxis, ed for govern
ment interference. He wound undertake to
show that here was something defective in
the Western Union service; that their rates
were excessive, or In other words II they had
a rate not exceeding 60 cents for the whole
country hey would make more money and
give better service than at the present rates
and thst one company could not serve the
county when it was allowed 10 capitalize as
rapidly as it pleased without reference to the
yalue of nroDertS