The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-08-07
PLAIN TRUTHS
Regarding Telegraph Monopoly
Told by Mr.. Wanamalrer
In Letter to the President Of the
Western Union About Rates
for Government Messages.

: :.
Tho co'npany's ch'm that ~ mas 10.
Been Granted Special PRIVILEGES SHOWN
to be unfounded-An Able ArgumenI
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-Postmaster Ten
eral Wanamaker has addressed long letter
to Noryin Green. president of the Western
Union Telegram Companv. in reply TO the
,atter,s nrotest AGAINST the proposed reduc-
~. a.. 6a,,o,..,,,,s,,. ,o,n.,.n,,,, r,tos The
~ ~ =, =, =, 1N, ,,Ss. A. o.,a.,.
IosO"se'or "eherai insie's 'naV pio''UoA
1reens statement that Tue PriNlleHes anu
benefits derived by the western Union un-
der the act Of 1866 are purely Imaginary
and that the company has never taken
stone or stick Of timber, or appropriated
foot of land belonging to the Government
under this law are not sustained by the
facts. The telegraph companies, he says,
not only accepted the acts, expecting sub
stantial benefits would ensue, but in the
case of the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany, notably, great and conspicuous pene-
fits have already accrued. Under these
laws the company has claimed the rlght 70
use without compensation OF any Klnd as
to right OF way, all the highways OF tho
country, on the ground of their being post
roads. More than this, 1t has broadened its
claim to the extent that the streets OF cltles
and towns are also postroads, and, there
fore, open and free to its occupancy and
use; and in this claim the company has been
sustained by the courts.
THUS" he says, "under the benefits OF
this act, instead Of not occupying foot OF
public land, as you assert, you are In fact
occupying many thousands OF miles OF post
roads and are privileged to occupy all the
highways of the United States. You have
thus been able To occupy and use the streets
In Philadelphia and New York, regardless
Of the views Of the local authorities, and
almost regardless of public opinion. Even
the elevated railroads In New York have
been claimed as postroads and the claim
sustained. The State of New York may
regulate the use but Is not able TO deprive
you of these great privileges secured To
telegraph companies, and maintained u
them alone. by the Congressional act o.
1sG8 Bevond this. the streets of all other
cities and towns OF the United States have
been kent omen 10 YOUR use. In other re
snects YOUR company and other telegraph
Companies have secured substantial bene
Ats from the Government and from the pub
| lie under acts oil Congress, Out JneSe nav
mentioned are enough, l think, to sustain
NV former reference TO the privileges ant
benefits given TO you by the Government
the value of which, in my Judgment, is be
yond calculation. Conferring such great
privileges upon you, the Government ex
pected and is entitled to receive not simpl!
YOUR exceptionally low rates to others, bu
even A lower special rate.n
Mr.. Wanamaker says that Q Western Un
ion official has admitted that some Of tn
press associations get their news reports TO
! a mill a word 30 each newspaper, and II
one association the rate is even lower thai
that. He does not criticise the press rate
7 Il is not too low. 1t would be better for tn
public, the press and the telegraph compa
! nies II it were lower. He asks presiden
| Green II It Is not true that the patronag
5 from the enterprising. press Is the mos
: profitable that the company has, and II