Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1886-03-11

csseY A'
Al think ] shah be able 20 far
nish you sash a caae.
Q-Are yo1 sble to do i. nor1
nov. -
Mr.. Beck-You will furnish then
Al uIii furnish s1ca cases.
10 reply TO further Inquiries by Hsr-
rison- tee Commissioner proposes. to
furnish at another session Of the CEN
Itiee the number Of employees 10 tbs
once on the day be took control. 10.
9-fher With detailed information a. q,
the duties OF those whom be tad sd
pointed and their politics. and hos
many rad besn appointed nnder the
c'Vll service rules 10 . general CAV, he
could say that be had made from l55 to
10 Appointments, Of which number l42
were Democratic.
Presidest BATES ConcIudc. His Arru.
meat.
President Bates, II the Baltimore and
Quo Telegraph Company today con
eiGdsd bis Argument before the House
Committee On Postsfficss and Pos,
Roads, engaged " the Investigation of
the alleged telegraph monopoly. He
stated that the average rate for tele-
grams charged by the Western Union
Telegraph Company was . cents This
Sss 4 iox average as compared With toe
rate In England and was attributed al
most completely ~ competition east of
tue Missouri river. Ihs average rate
east OF the Missouri river Was very much
less than that figure. because Of the fast
at vest of the Missouri river the tar,f
OF the western Union Vas very copsii-
erably greater. IL the land grant rail.
says we're required to accept busines.
IRON the BALTIMORE and Ohio Telegraph
Company and other companies, he be
ilesed that the ben. at OF competition IL
reduction Of rates which had accrued
10 the pahlie east of the Missouri rIver
would, rs matter Of course, accrue to
'be people west OF that river.
Mr.. J. G. Ref OF New York vas then
heard. lie went Tito the history Of tel
e2taphio communication With the Pa
sitie cast. He said that the teIs-
graphic service of the whole country
YES: of the Missouri River Was a so
lntsly under the control OF the Western
Cnton, as far as pieces of waste paper
called contracts could put IL. He be-
lieved that the Northern Pacific had
actually undertaken TO buiid its teie-
graph line jointly with the Western
Union. The various Railroad Commits
sioners OF the Government, who we're
appointed for the purpose of seeing that
ths laws were executed respecting tn .se
land grant railroads. had utteriy failed
| either 20 spprebend or to perform tseir
doty. The Commissioners, when ap-
piled to concerning a number of short
eomisRs on tbs part OF several of these
railroads. made answer When any
matter rs brought before nay Office thst
demands my opinion in formal way.
will sndeavor TO give it and without
fear, bat do not think 1t Is necessary
for me to exercise the functions OF my
oftice 10 looking up trouble" II the
railroad companies had acted In CON-
plisncs with the requirements of the
granting sots, they would have given
facilities to new telegraph Companies
which sprung up from time to time,
eut they were handicapped by their
contracts with the Western Union. II
was time. not only for plain speech, bot
for positive action. When Congress
determined ,hat the laws should be en-
forced against individuals aud CORPORA
tions, there would be fewer complaints
about monopolies and fewer strikes
throughout the country The attempt
of corporations to pay interest and divi-
dsnds on bonds and stock that should
never have been Issued constitutes a
crying evil and justified much of the
complaints OF the laborinR class. Two
thirds Of the Western Union stock Was
clear water without q spsok Of dye in
1t. LIST Congress say that the telegraph
companies should net combine. Let II
ssy that no telegraph company should
earn more than ten per cent On the ac-
tual cash vslu alton of its existing eapi
tai. Let IL compel the Pacific railroads
to perform all of their duties according
TO the letter and spirit Of the Law. After
fair trial had been made with such
laws aud II no beneficial results fol-
lowed, Congress could consider the pro
priety of taking control of she whole
telegraph business aud the establish
ment OF q postal telegraph system. IL
Congress would enact such laws as
would prevent consolidation, prems ts
com petition and prevent the telegraph
companies from increasing the rates
they had themselves established, IL
would accomplish vastly more for the
public service than by any postal tele-
graph system.
Representatives of the Western Union
will be heard on Tuesday next.
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