The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-08
TELEGRAPH AGAIN.
VIM. M. Evarts Discusses the CUES.
ton Before the Senate Committee.
He Argues Against state COntrOl---
No Purchase without Owners
Consent The Bills Criti-
cised-- Capital Notes.

WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. S-Hon. Will |
lam Evarts, representing the Western Union
Telegraph company, appeared before the |
senate committee on postofflces and post |
roads. made argument in the legal points in
volved in the bills introduced looking to the |
establishment Of a system of postal teleg- /
raphy He thought one of the principal
reasons for the seeming luminosity
which has recently arisen respect |
ing the Western Union Telegraph
company due to,what was supposed to be its
exaggerated capital. He reviewed the cir
cumstances of the purchase of the Atlantic &
Pacific and American Union, and endeavored
to show that the additional stool, issued on
account Of the consolidation of those compa-
MES was entirely legitimate He referred to
the litigation which followed the absorption
of the American Union, and detailed the
findings of the court to the effect that the
properties were worth what the Western
Union paid Tor them.
Mr. Hill-Was the purchase of the
American Union lines made for the purpose
of increasing the facilities of tie Western
Union, or for getting rid Of a rival!
Evarts said he was not prepared to answer
the question fully; that the company had the
right 70 use its property for prefit was be
yond doubt, and the consequence was rot an
increase but a reduction Of rates.
Gardner Hubbard interrupted the
speaker with the remark: Il think that as
matter Of fact the rates were increased
Evarts replied that he was not prepared to
discuss the matter. He thought the recent
telegraphic strike had attracted general at
tention During its tendency it had been
seen what power the employees might have i'll
disturbing the Gensral interests Of the com
pany; how TINS action might involve serious
power Of oppression. In other words, he
thought the great conflict between employer
and earpioye had a bearing upon public
business that suggested a question as to the
propriety of placing an important branch
business under public administration He
argued that Ednund's bill proposed
to diSparage and reduce existing
telegraph property to wreck. He
took up tie several postal telegraph
bills and proceeded To criticize each as I'M
just, and point ont the provisions which
were imprac,irGo.e. The people of the coun-
try woald n0s have the telegraph service in
terTuptei Either OF the pending bills pro
posed was striking fatal blow at the pri-
vate administration of public
necessity. Reference was incidentally
made by Evarts to the fact
that owing to the agitation of the question,
Western Union stock suffered considerably
in market value. He denied the right OF the
I government to take the property at a large
! fixed price unless the owner Of the property
| gave assent. Referring to the opinion ox-
/ pressed by EimundS that a tribunal could
not he found to do justice TO the government
/ if it determined to purchase the existing
telegraphic properties, Evarts said he did
/ not think that such a conclusion would war
/ rant the government in doing Injustice to
/ private individuals. The law OF 1850 was not
/ intended AS a contract between the govern
ment and the telegraph companies If the
/ former would even buy the telegraph
1 lines under that law the companies
| were TO conduct the business or
/ have it taken off their hands at fair price
/ 1t had been under that understanding that
/ the service has been 50 generally extended
| The hearing was continued, and Mr.. Gardner
/ Hubbard will appear in opposition to the
/ Western Union ald favor a postal Telegraph