Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-04
Telegraph Lines I'm Europe and
America.

America.
The ownership and extent of the telegraph
lines in the countries of Europe are not with
out interest to those who would have the best
system Of management in the United States,
and secure to the people the greatest posi-
bic advantage, with the least expense
Austria Hungary ha. 81 600 miles Of tele-
graph line and 10000 miles Of wire The
numb~r Of teIegraphic stations is 5000. The
lines are owned by the State
Belgium has $500 miles Of line, 1880 Of
wire, and 80 stations. owed and managed
BY the STATE. Denmark has 2.200 miles Of
! line. 1000 IF wire, and 27j Offices. owned BY
the State.
France has 5000 miles of line, 10000
Of wire, 5 800 stations, owned and managed
/ by the State.
Germany A, 900 miles of line, Isl, 900 Of
wire. and Il. 800 stations. all owned spd
managed By the State.
| Great Britain and Ireland have $500
miles Of line, I22000 Of wire, and 500 sta
tons. owned and managed by the STATE.
Greco. ha. 1900 miles of line aud 26o
I stations. oxnel ~ the State. , &
! Italy ma $500 miles of line, and Loo
stations. Of which ~othirds belong to the
State.
Netherlands has $500 mile. of line, 5000
miles Of wire, and 425 stations, owned and
directed by the State.
Portugal has :. 500 miles Of line, 800 of
wire, ami - stations. Of which the State is
osner and manager.
Roumanil ha. ; 800 miles of line, 5000 Of
wire and $50 stations, Of which the state is
owner and manager.
Russia has 10000 miles Of line, 10000 of
sire, and 3 900 stations, of which the State
owns and directs about seren-eighths.
Sersia has 400 miles of line, so stations,
and the State is the owner.
Spain ha. 10, 800 miles Of line, 5000 of
wire. and 500 stations. owned and managed
by the Stale.
Sweden has 300 miles OF line, 10000 of
wire and $50 stations, all of which i. owned
and directed by the State, except limited
amount which belongs to the private railways.
Norway has 300 miles of line, 1000 Of
wire and 2GO stations, mostly the property
of the State.
Switzerland has I, 200 miles of line. 10, 200
of wire. and ,225 stations, chiefly owned by
the State the remainder for the use of the
private railways.
Turkey has 5000 of line, 30, 900 of wire,
and $50 stations, wholly the property of the
State.
Thus Europe has 28s, 200 miles of line,
S67 400 miles of wire, and the public is served
with 80, 100 stations, and nearly all this prop
erty belongs to the public.
In the United States there are 10000
miles of line, 400, 900 miles of wire, and -
500 stations, owned by few individuals.
The whole subject is now before Congress.
for Investigation ami decision We hope
it will be considered with all the intelligence
and candor which its importance demands.
with the single aim to the public good and
the nations welfare
If it be true that the entire people Of this
country can be served by telegraph lires at
one cent IA word on the average, foi short and
long distances, Congress should sec 20 it that
Tia are not long lepriyc of t i. beneficent
Average on such favor bic terms. But f it
shall appear tiat it ia lot expedient
for the people to have their own
telegraph lines, and that the experience
of European countries Affords no guide for
the United States. the decision of Congress
should be made accordingly. Let all the
facts and arguments pro and con be well I'M
derstood by the public.