Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-30
APOSTAL TELEGRAPH
Advocated by the Postmaster General
in His Annual Report.
WAR WITH THE WESTERN UNION
Reviewed at Length, and a Number of Rec
concentrations Made.
SUNDAY WORK SHOULD BE DECREASED

SUADA1 hVhA oHVUhD BE DECkEASEI
WASHINGTON, November 29.-Postmas
ter General Wanamaker submitted his an
nual report to President Harrison to-day
He prefaced it as follows:
''The first Postmaster General submitted
his first report to President Washington 10(
years ago. Its exact date was December 8
1889. 1 mention this as of interest in thi.
centennial age.
II have the honor to state that to the Post.
master General OF the United States is com.
mltteo the management of the largest busi-
ness concern in the world, consisting of a
central establishment with almost 60, ,00C
branches, and employing over 150, 900 peo-
pie. Its agents embrace one-half of the civil
list. 1t maintains communication between
the near and the remote places of the coun-
try with frequency, CELEBRITY and security.
The number and value of its messages are
such that the Imagination can scarcely form
conception of them. The capital in use in
carrying on this vast business was last year
81 to each man, woman and child in the
United States. Nevertheless, the postal
service is not a money-making enterprise
It is not intended to be. 1t is mistake to
expect 1t to be self-sustaining until it is
fully perfected.
Referring to the dispute concerning the
Government telegraph rates, the report says:
''The Western Union Telegraph Company
declares the new rates fixed to be 'confis-
cation of its property, and, though continu-
ing the service, declines to accept the rate
as final payment. 1t proposes to make its
claim in the courts, but offers to submit the
question of rates for this year to a board of
arbitration such as proposed by the Post
master General to ascertain rates for the en-
suing year The act of Congress directs the
Postmaster General to fix rates, but gives no
authority under which he may appoint
commission to inquire into the costs and
value of telegrsphic service. 1t will be
necessary, therefore. if the course suggested
be approved, to authorize the Postmaster
General to proceed in the premises"
wANAMAKER DISAPPOINTED.
81 confess to disappointment in that
the negotiations with the Western Union
Telegraph Company did not lead to
scheme which hoped to submit with this
report for your approval, whereby the peo-
pie at large could have the benefit of tele-
graphic service at popular rates. 1t is
stated that merchants, bankers and news
papers are now the principal customers of
the telegraph companies in this country.
The statistics of the telegraphic system of
the English Government show that a
large proportion of the customers $50
per cent is stated by some persons)
are from the family and from social mes
sages, and not from business sources. With
a lower telegraphic rate and with stations at
the windows of the postofices, to which
ladies are accustomed, an entirely new class
OF business would grow up, afording great
convenience to many not now in the habit
of using the wires. The telegraph is defined
to be AN instrument for conveying intelli-
gence beyond the limits of distance at which
the voice is audible This definition would
apply equally to the postoffice, and is in
fact the object for which the postoffice was
The great propriety and advantage of q
united service cannot be questioned from a
point of convenience and economy to the
people. There is no reason whatever why
the night messages of the telegraph COM
panies should not be delivered as postal
matter by the first morning delivery Of the
carriers. This is proper postofhce business,
and would add to the profits of the depart
ment. The. vast network of wires covering
the country could easily reach many of the
village postofices and benefit more people
than by stopping at the railroad stations,
which are often q mile or more dis
tant from where the people live. An exper-
iment could be easily and quickly made to
ascertain whether the demand for cheaper
telegraphic service exists as is claimed. 1t !
could be done without any outlay of money
by the Government, and with no interfer- |
ence with existing telegraph interests, mas |
much as 1t would create, as stated, a new |
class OF business. Moreover, many people |
becoming acquainted with the uses of the |
IL
managed to get along without it; and would |
lind themselves using the swifter service as
we'll as the limited. and financially guarap-
teed messages would continue TO be confined
TO and carried by the existing corporations.
THE PROPOSED SCHEME.
"a contract should be made with tele-
graphic Lines now in operation, or that NAV
hereafter be built, under advertisement and
public bid, at the most favorable rate that
,an be obtained, in the same manner as the
Postofice Department now contracts with
,ailrOsd companies for the carrying of letters
md postal cards, connecting the wires with
rec oelIveryiand,other designated postofices.
IND receiving messages to be delivered in
,sch instance at the next carrier delivery
Ifter their receip pit in the city to which thew
ire sent Some of the free delivery Offices
ieliver mail ten times day, some six. and
ew less than four.
IA Washington message to New York or
Boston, announcing that the sender is leav-
ng by train and is to be met at the station.
7 any kind OF message which will be in
eason If delivered the day of starting
would fall into one of several regular deIi3,
ries at the office connected by telegraph in
he other city. The slower service would
nswer all purposes for numbers of peonIe
No additional expense is required for Office
r clerk hire. One expert teiegrapher could
'e selected when the postal clerks are an
'ointed. If there was sufficient telegraphic
usiness wholly to employ one mans time
o much the better. A clerk could
e assigned for this particular work.
nd the service would be that much |
nore likely to be profitable. With no other
in this limited telegraph bu-
eau than that for ordinary mail; no expen-
i've system OF copying and recording; by
sing postage stamps ior payments no cash
needed-the low expenses wouId
1stify low rates for the peoples benefit. If ,
ach money order Office sent but three mes
ages per day there would be q, 900 mes
ages, which would be a good business.
connecting the money order Offices by wire. ]
syments of money could be telegraphed by {
rivate code to various points free, or at a {
1hing cost, and add to the convenience of
amy people.
Il respectfully ask that such legislation
enacted as is necessary to empower the
General to enter into a contract J
ith responsible parties for term not ex- ]
edIng five years, on conditions favorable s
the Government, for the purpose of estab-
shing Limited Post and Telegraph Ser
zee. I
SUNDAY MAILS. !
Early in the present administration the
lbject Of Sunday mail service was brought '
rcibly to the attention of the department a
rough numerous letters and memorials