Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-21
NO CONSOLIDATION IL CONrRm-
PLATED.
President Chasaicr says tho Postsi
VIII Not Consolidate with
the Western Union.

Mr.. A. B. Chandler, president OF the Pos
tal Telegraph Cable Company, was seen al
The general Office OF that company IN this
CITY last evening, when his attention was
called to a special news report published in
Yesterdays Tribune indicating that con-
solldatien Of the Postal Telegraph Gable
COMPANY with the Western Union Company
is likely 10 occur 5000. lie was asked whe-
Their IL Is true that plans for such action are
in progress. He replied "No, there Is not
the slightest foundation IN fact Tor such q
statement or intimation."
"But is there not some identity OF interest
between the companies, or has not some ac-
ton been lately had which will remove the
active competition hitherto existing z"
"There is no identity Of interest what
ever. The TWO properties are " holly dis
tinct and lust as sharply competitive as ever.
Neither has any interest I'm the other, direct.
" or Indirectly, and it Is the design OF the
owners OF the Postal property to so con-
tinue; otherwise they would have adopted
methods designing to lniure rather than pro-
tect the telegraph business as others have
done, whose purpose has been TO force sale
or lease OF their property"
"What methods do you refer TO az tend
ing TO protect the telegraph business"
"The severe aud wasteful competition OF
the past has not only reduced rates, but has
brought into use the pernicious and unjust
practice OF giving rebates and commissions.
and has led the companies TO bid against
each other IN many ways to such an extent
as to destroy all possible profit, snd in some
cases to prevent the payment OF operating
expenses. While the Western Union Com
pany could hope TO destroy competition. and
while the motive OF competition was TO com.
It hot fV m
terms, this manner Of carrying on business
served q temporary purpose. But 1t could
have but one end--namey, the ultimate re-
moyal of the competitor. as has been proved
by the history OF tHe telegraph for more
than twenty years past"
"Then your company do not intend to
dispose OF their property to the Western
Union on any terms, suppose?"
"The best evidence that | can give YOU
that your supposition is true lies IN the fact
that we MAINTAIN that the Western Union
Company cannot permanently remove COM
petition, and that II the telegraph business Is
fairly conducted and on sound principles a
competitor of the Western Union Company
extending ifs liUes between the commercial
centres OF this country can earn moderate
return upon the capital actually invested IN
1t. We believe this 10 be especially true oil
company having such cable connections as
ours. The Postal Telegraph Cable Company
has now become well established, and with its
connections in British America and across
tue Atlantic, comprises the only competing
telegraph service on this continent. To its
existence the public is largely indebted for
the low rates now prevailing and for the I'M
proved service at competing points, both on
land and cable business. Ithas been formed
for the purpose Of carrying on legitimate
business, and not for the purpose OF COM
polling its purchase by the Western Union
Company, rs has been true OF previous COM
petitors OF that company. 1t has therefore
been willing to make such arrangements
With the Western Union Company as will
prevent wastefui competition, and the
Western Union Company, for the first
time In It's history, has been disposed
10 recognize that 1t cannot own the
earth, and that since 1t must divide the busi'
ness with somebody to some extent It had
better TO do so with fair competitor rather
than TO run the risk OF piracy. The rates as
now arranged are as low as the cost OF cons
strueting, maintaining. aud operating tele-
graph lines will permit, aud II is true that q
conference has been recently had between
the executive officers OF the TWO companies
designed simply TO prevent the use OF de-
structiye rates and such methods as | have
before referred to. The maintenance oil
the low rates now agreed upon, many oil
which are reduced much below the Western
Union schedule as heretofore fixed, and the
preservation OF prompt, efficient, and cour'
teous service depend largely upon the sup
mort which the public afford the Postal Com
pany."- Chicago Tribune.