The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-10
Col. Jones, or Florida, on Governmental
Control Of the Telegraph.
A Banquet at the New Denison Gives to
the Meeting Happy Conclusion.
Entertaining and Eloquent Responses to
Toasts Relating to the Press and Public
Affairs, by Visitors and Citizens.


Address by Col Jones, of Florida, on "Gov-
eminent Control of the Telegraph"
Yesterdays sessions of the American Newspa-
per Publishers Association were devoted princi-
pally 70 hearing papers from members who had
been assigned special topics. One relating to
s'Puffs, by j. NJ McManus. of the Philadelphia
Record, showed the little value that can be at
tached to that form of advertising. Occasion
ally reporter, when Entrusted with writing
one. can give 1t value, he, from his training
in reporting facts only. is discreet in the use of
qualifying words. But puffs are to be con-
demned. because if the price of papers serv-
ices has been fixed, and those services are
marketable, it is sheer folly for q publisher to
attempt to divert or buy trade for his columns
By publishing notices free of charge. There is
exception, however, when the matter
be claimed as legitimate news. In that event
puffs, IL they can be SO regarded to degree
lose their Objectionable. features. and do not
compromise the dignity of the paper. The key
TO the situation rests altogether in a careful and
consistent business management, which means
that the door to Objectionable privileges con-
cessions should be Theoretically sealed.
An advertising man. Hoffman, of New York,
was observed among the members, and as he
did not bear proper credentials for admission,
he was requested to retire. He did co. but not
before he attempted 20 assert right to being
there In few minutes he returned and wished
10 have an understanding with the president,
Colonel Jones, in regard to statement made by
that gentleman. He politely reminded that
he had no right a member, but this he did not
accept as settling the difficulty. nor did he yield
until the sergeant-at-arms led him out of the
Colonel Jones, of the Jacksonville Fla Times
Union. read the following paper on ''Govern-
rnent Control of the Telegraph"
propose to zeal with the subject which has been
viewed from the standpoint Of the newspaper pub
fishers and propretots regard It as very practical
The question has been gravely conside red both IN
Congress and out, to whether not the constitu
tona authority is vested in Congress
purchase a telegraph system and operate it liz
junction with of the administrative departments
of the government. shall not discuss this aspect
of the question however because in the first place it
Is not necessary to my present purpose and because
in the second place. it is generally found that Con-
gress finds in the Constitution the requisite authority
for any step or exercise of power that seems 20
people Of the country, with any approach to
unanimity manifest a desire to have the government
postal service Congress will surely enact laws requi.
site for putting that desire into effect. 1t
therefore, ftable at this stage of the
discussion to consider whether not there good
reasons why the ipeopls should urge such a demand
The strongest argument in behalf of a government
telegraph system, and the that is relied upon
Is that IL would be cheaper Most OF the advocates of
government telegrsphy to consider that the
gument is closed when they assert that governments
telegraph service would be cheaper than that fur
nshed by private corporations.
In reality however, several very important ques-
tions raised by this assertion In the first place.
10 it likely that the government telegraph service
would be cheaper than that furnished? [
constrained to say that the experience of this and
other countries with government work furnishes no
reason for believing that exceptional cheapness would
be feature of it. The postal service of the country
Is on the whole well done and cheaply done, but
many wellinformed persons believe that it could be
done cheaply by corporations and private indi
vduals, and the only that the has
competitor is that such competition is prohibited
by law. In every other department, both in this
country and in other countries characteristic feat
OF all the work done by the is its
wants work done at reasonable price that work Is
let out by contract and believe it is the uniform
perence in s countries that work done by contract is
both more efficient and less expensive than work done
by the government under executive supervision.
1t is true, of 1courss, that the government might
make lower rates for tslegraphing than would be
made by any private corporation or individual, be-
the latter must make and pay for bet
terments or improvements. his place in the bust
world would soon be vacant. Tho government
whoever, if il chooses, fix rate less than cost
ciseiy what would be done by the United States gov
ernment if the experience of other countries having
government Telegraph system is any criterion
The government telegraph system in connection
Britain for years. and during that period it
has never in any single year paid expenses. On the
contrary there has always been de felt and that def
icit is constantly increasing, the following figures
will show:
1881. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1852, 625
1888 !a5o,9.O
1854 .-..-..---------------. $50