Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-09-02
POSTAL TELEGRAPHY.
Possible Compromise Between WaI
msker and the Western Union.

Possible Compromise Between WRna.
msker and the Western Union.
WASHINGTON, September 1.-The latest
report concerning the differences between
the Postmaster General and the Western
Uaion Telegraph Company over the rate
for Government business for the pres
ent fiscal year, is that negotiations
have progressed far enough toward
a compromise to permit of the cOnsidera-
tion Of scheme for sort of postal tele-
graphy. The plan is said to be about as
follows: The free delivery system is to be
utilized for the collection and distribution
of telegraphic messages, and the telegraph
company, in return for the extra business
which il is believed this innovation would
result in, is to send the messages st a re-
duced rate. The point appears TO be that
the cost Of delivery OF messages, which Is
one of the heaviest which the telegraph
company has to bear, can be borne by the
Government without mucn extra expense
TO itself; and that business men and peo-
pie generally, who use the special delivery
stamp and are not quite satisfied with that
method and don't feel able to pay tele-
graph tolls, who would send short letters
by telegraph if the tolls were lighter, will
be greatly accommodated By the new plan.
A contract by which the telegraph COM
pany would agree TO send messages at a
low rate on the presentation of stamps by
the sender or by the carriers who collected
the stamped messages, the POstoffice De-
partment agreeing to redeem the stamps
and deliver the messages after they bad
been received, is what Mr.. Wanamaker
ana Dr.. Green are now believed to be dis
cussing in this city. 1t is inferred that
Mr.. Gould, who was present at tine Sara
toga conferences, has consented to the gem
eral proposition, and that DR.. Green has
been left to arrange with the Postmaster
General as to the special provisions of the
arrangements.
In regard TO the arrangement proposed
for what will practically be postal teleg-
raphy, il ia not supposed that Mr.. Wana-
maker or MIR. Green imagine for moment
they can inaugurate or perfect any
such arrangement without Con-
eressional sanction. Whatever agreement
Is reached in that direction will no doubt
form part of the Postmaster General 8
next annual report in recommendation
that may be embodied in the Presidents
message TO Congress, or it may be trans
mitted by the President in the Postmaster
Generals report without any indorsement
whatever.
With the Postmaster sneral and the
President OF the Western Union on such
amicable terms as to be able TO discuss a
partnership of interests, a settlement OF
the word rate for Government messages
can be confidently looked for at On early
day.
What view Congress may have on the
subject of postal telegraphy. even in the
modified form proposed by Mr.. Wansmak-
er's plan, is another branch of the subject.
So is the handling of private
kilograms by Government employees.
The discussion will open up a wide field,
which has often been Travelled over in the
House and Senate before, but never with
the promise of a solution of the vexed
question as there is in the present plan.