Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-02-01
THEY MEAN BUSINESS.

The Vice President OF the Baltimore
and Ohio Talks Abont Its Coming
war with the Western Union.
New YoRK, January 3l.-Mr. Robert
Garrett, Vice President of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, is in the city, stopping
at the Brevoort House. In answer to In
quiries about the Baltimore and Ohio Tele-
graph he said plans were in process OF eH'
ecution that would bring 1t in competition
with the Western U MON at all important
points. ''Our policy" he said, lis to go
after commercial business, and our hines
are being extended as rapidly as possible so
as tafeseh ail-ths largo toEns and eitiekI
Oar telegraph system is already extsnsive,
but until recently it has been confined to
the lines of the railroad routes Of the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad and its connec-
tons. What We are now doing will make
complete and perfectly equipped general
system of telegraph, covering the entire
area OF commercial business North and
South as we'll as East and West"
"Has any actual work been done ON these
extensions?
Every point has been covered Con-
tracts have been closed for q large quantity
OF wire, great number OF poles, cross
arms and large amount OF other Telegraph
material for immediate delivery, and rights
of way have been secured. Poles are being
cut and material gotten ready for the work
of building the line from New York to
Boston, which will be begun as soon as the
frost comes out Of the ground so that the
poles can be set.
The Northwestern ExtensiOn.
The contract for building the North
western extension was awarded last Satur-
day. One lsrge extension o. our telegraph
system we have already secured BY the
purchase juSt concluded of the telegraph
line along the West Shore and Nickel Plate
roses. We bought it outright, and it be-
longs TO the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph.
This line is believed to be the best there
is bt tween New York City and Chicago. 1t
is Ell tirely new, constructed Of the best
material, and it has very favorable con
tract relations with the West Shore
ard the New York, Chicago
and st. Louis Railroads in re,
gard to the transportation OF material, use
of stations, &c. This gives US an immediate
connection with the Canada telegraph sys.
tenn, which we reach at Detroit and Buf-
fslo. We thus get at once by purchase
IL
build. There are at present four wires on
this line. Orders hsve been given to string
| twelve more at once. This, with our pres
ent line, will make our service between
New York and Chicsgo and intermediate
cities almost as extensive as the Western
Urion's in number of wires and better in
actual efficiency.
what are the relations OF the Baltim IRE
and Ohio Railroad TO the Baltimore and
Ohio Telegraph Company
Safe and Sure Policy.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad CON-
trolls The telegraph company and advances
il Il g Necessary capital. You know the
b Il more and Ohio Railroad has never
prsct'ced stock watering, but, after declar'
ing ten per cent dividend, credits its in
veStmer,s of earnings TO surplus fund.
This surplus fund now amounts
20 SI5,7G3 479 50 while the capii al
stock of the road amounts only 10
| $l4. 1888. 100 This enables the Balt,mor1
and Ohio railroad to build its Philadelrh q
extension and ex pand telegraph syste n
at the same time wltHout floating any
stock or straining its credit. / have a
q great respect for Mr.. Goulds opinion,
Mr.. Garrett went on, land when we were
| Union enterprise he used to argue, when
the STOCK OF the Western Union
amounted to S4l 100000, that
that company was so enormous
| oyercapitalized that an opposition com.
| psny could earn dividends at rates that
would not pay the Western Union. Now
| that the stock Of the Western Union has
been swollen to $50, ,0O0, 900, plus, believe
its cable, Mutual Union and other guaran'
| tees, We think Mr.. Goulds argument il
| stronger than ever, and that the Baltimore
and Ohio telegraph, built for cash and vi B
| no watered stock to carry, will realize sstls
factory profits for Us, while giving the pub
Lie The benefit of telegraphic com petition