The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-04
rrEspAY. MARCH 4. 1890.
POSTAL TELGRAPuy.

POSTAL TELGRAPiiN.
One of the most important statements
that has been made before the House Post
Office Committee now inquiring into the ieas-
ibility Of establishing National postal teie-
,rapb. was that Of Dr. Noryin Green, presi-
dent Of the Western Union Telegraph Com
many. who. on saturday, as might have been
expected from the position occupied by him.
took strong ground in opposition 10 the pro
posed scheme. unless it was TO be carried
out by the purchase Of the Western Union
lines.
Many facts Of interest came out IN the
course Of his testimony. lie mentioned lot
instance. that sixty millions Of kilograms
were handled annually in the United states
and ton-eleyenths Of this vast amount Of
business was controlled by the Western
Union Company. A very remarkable pro-
,ortion of this business was derived from
pool-rooms and sporting places, the income
from these sources running up in New ork
alone 10 100000 annually. The number Of
messages transmitted by this company Is
nearly onc-ihird of the whole Geographic
business OF the world, while its mileage Of
wire ia fully one-half Of that in operation IN
all the various parts Of the globe.
In spite Of the popular opinion prevailing
in this country TO the contrary, Dr. Green
asserted that telegraphic charges were
much lower in the United States than IN
England. although the English operators
were paid just ono-half Of the amount Ct
salaries allowed the American. In Eng
land, where the government owned and
managed 10, own Geographic lines, the
shilling rat5. which has now been slightly
reduced. had brought about an annual de-
felt Of 100000 In paying the interest on the
cost Of the plant at per cent. Since its
first establishment, DR.. Green estimated
that the British system had entailed a clear
loss of 30,O00,00O there having been GER
tain deficit Of Sil $500 in the last eleven
years.
DR.. Green argued with considerable force,
that the United States would have 70 meet
much larger deficit, if it established tele-
graphic system Of its own, because, in the
first place, the wages Of operators would be
higher in this country; in the second, the
amount Of wire required would be far great
er on account Of the greater distances; and
above all, Eat many Of the postofices there
would not be sufficient telegraph business
90 pay expenses. 1t had been suggested
that the postmasters at these Offices might
learn 10 work the wires. But they would
not do so, as they were usually business
men and fully employed in caring for their
SHOPS. Then special corps of operators
would have TO be organized in the large
cities. and they would have to be placed in
rooms separate from the postofice 70 pre-
serve the secrecy of the messages. Large
battery rooms would have TO be procured.
and. altogether, the present postoflice build
ings could not be made TO accommodate the
telegraph system"
In the course Of his testimony, Or. Green
stated that the Western Union had not,
since last July, received one dollar on ac-
count Of government telegraph service,
owing 10 the lowness Of the rates which the
government had fixed on as those at which
alone it would give its Geographic business.
lie declared that the company which he
represented would contest the post0fhce
order 10 this effect in the courts, as not
covering one-half Of the cost Of service.
The only result of adopting low rates 30 far
had been. he said, to ruin the corporations
which had followed that policy which, up
% this time, had only been done in the in
stance Of competing lines.
.The Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Com
pany had started in to smash things and it
had done it, That company had ruined
three competing companies, had ruined IL
self, and had so nearly ruined the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad Company that it
had been obliged 10 sell It's sleeping cars
and construction shops TO tide over the
financial stress. That was the last of the
low rate fights. The Baltimore and Ohio
Telegraph Company had paid on a large
class OF business as high as eleven cents
per message for commissions and collecting
messages, leaving out operators salaries
and wire maintenance. The average cost
Of handling their messages was 30 cents,
and the average charge was 1874 cents"
As the case was presented by DIR. Green, II
would appear highly inadyisable in the gov
eminent either TO establish apostal system Of
its own or 70 require a lower rate Of charges
Of the existing companies. Ii is not i'm
probable, however. that it will solve the
difficulty by erecting lines Of its own, as
there is a growing demand on the part Of
the people for greater postal facilities than
are now enjoyed by the postofiice depart
ment.