Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-19
A GOVERNMENT rELEGRaPu,
The Topic Di~casseA ~ the National
Beard 81 Trade THIS MOruimg.

"Postal telegraph' was the flrst subject taken
up for consideration By the National Board OF
Trade when II convened this morning az WIZARDS
for the second days session. Mr. Thurter, OF
New York. In speaking In favor OF the Post-ofnce
Departments assuming charge OF telecraphie
communication, read q statement from the secre-
tary OF the London chamber OF commerce, Mt
Murray, showing the success OF the postal tele~
graph In England Mr.. Murray stated that public
opinion In England was Overwhelmingly opposed
TO the return OF the telegraph to private hands
He also read letters from a number OF English
business men, claiming that the government
management OF the telegraph was a complete sue
efficiency.
OPPOSED 10 rHs POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
Mr.. Erastus wiman, OF New York, spoke on the
other side. He reviewed the report OF the British
post-ofrice department, and said that the figures
showed constant falling OF In revenue since the
management OF the telegraph service was under
taken. Mr.. Thurber, he said had omitted some
features He argued that the telegraph was used
by only per cent OF the people In this country,
and IL would not be right 70 tax the whole popu-
lation for the oenent OF this small number. lie
said that II there was a deficit OF two millions
for this service In small, compact country Ike
England, In this country, with It's great extent
or country, the detcit would reach ten millions
year at least. he estimated that postal tele-
graph would duplicate the present number OF
Government employees and would be long
stride toward Capitalization and a paternal gov
ernmenL He maintained that the expenditures
o, the Navy Department In the attempt 10 build
tsst 1hs iusIate9 What Would be- the outcome
or the carrying on OF such an enterprise as the
telegraph by the Government. lie spoke OF the
economy and efficiency OF the management OF the
telegraph under one company, and compared the
rates OF twenty years ago with those OF to-day.
The comparison proved conclusively, he Thought,
that the service was the cheapest and best pos
sble. He also called attention TO the yearly de-
crease 10 the tolls. the telephone, he said. was
rapidly growing, and was becoming a menace TO
n n
ernment control the telephone service also.
Mr. THuRBER EXPLAINS
Mr.. Thurber, in reply, complmented Mr. wiman
the clear and forcible presentation OF the sub
ject He said It was true that the British govern
ment had not paid intere on their bonds, but IL
would have done so II they had capitalized the eN-
tensions OF their lines. The deficit referred To by
Mr.. wimau due TO extraordinary expenses
defects In the British service the speaker claimed
were manly due TO their connections with lines
which were under private management The
| British government was now endeavorinS 70 get
control OF these lines. He thought that the poiit-
ical effect OF the Increase In tue number OF Gov
eminent employees was rather eNaggerats d. AS 10
the telephone, that was a matter for the future.
He referred to the connection between the Western
Union Co aud the Associated Press and said that
the way In which the Latter upheld IN former had
great influence In educating public sentiment on
this subject He created much amusement by
stating, In Illustration OF the relations between
those corporations, that the remarks maize by Mr..
wiman on this subject would possibly be given
the widest publicity by the Associated Press while
the arguments on the other side would remain
buried IN the records OF the board
Mr.. Wiman, In response, said that III ny. Thurper
would TAX much pains a be did 10 prepare his
remarks for publication in the newspapers that he
would guarantee that they would receive equal
publicity.
A member remarked that he had lost q large
sum OF money, owing TO a mistake OF the western
Union, and he would like TO ask Mr.. Wiman how
he could get ii back.
show could you recoverit from the Government
asked Mr.. Winan. The discussion was then re-
sumed, and a number OF members spoke In favor OF
Government control OIL the telegraph.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
The resolution which had been under considera-
ton and was proposed py the New York board OF
| trade and transportation was adopted by rising
vote OF % TO O. This resolution de- ares shat the
usefulness OF the Post-Office Department shou d be
extended In the direction or Geographic communi-
cation and we urge upon Congr Is the earliest Ia
vorabie consideration OF this question"
BUREAU OF STATISTICS.
The board resumed consideration OF the resolu-
ton providing for the appointment OF a bureau OF
statistics 10 be composed of representative from
each OF the I'VE leading boards OF trade the object
being TO collect and dss inmate accurate reports
as 10 the average yield Of the various crops Of the
United states, especially those OF grain and cot
| ton. A recess was taken until this afternoon De
| fore action was reached.
After the report or the proceedings OF the
National Board OF Trade closed In yesterdays STAR
| a judicious ant-adulteration law and in favor OF
law Tor the labelling OF impure or spurious lard.
| OLher topics were discussed and action deferred