The Delta independent., 1890-09-09
ENGLISH TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.
Statements Regarding the Success Of
Postal TeIegraphy.

Statements Regarding the Success OF
Postal TeIegraphy.
WARRINGTON. Sept. S.-The Hon.
J. Henniker Heaton. M. p, the great
English postal reformer, il in the city,
and to-day had an extended interview with
Postmaster General Wanamaker in the
interest Of . reduction Of postal rates be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland and the
United States. During the interview Mr..
Heaton was questioned as to the govern
ment postal telegraph system now in oper-
alton in England. Mr.. Heaton said:
81 am very happy to say that though
during the early years, through our hsv-
ing paid, think, Is, ,OO0, 900, or $40, ,o00, 900,
more than the telegraphs were worth 70
the company, we have At least, in the Ian
guage Of the postmaster general OF Eng
land, turned the corner and last year We
showed a slight profit think on s2OO,ooo
including the interest on the original pur-
chase to which I have referred. We have
gone further than that
Last year we purchased the submarine
cables connecting England with the
European continent, the time OF their
monopoly having expired. The most
gratifying results have ensued. We not
only reduced the rates, but, notwithstand-
ing the reduction of 20 per cent in the
charges, we have had an increase OF 2,OoO,-
600 messages in one year in foreign tele
grams. Turning back again to our inland
telegraphs, should mention this profit on
the telegraph has been established. not
I, en- ha "a, hot hava
duced the price Of kilograms TO half-penny
| q word, or less than one cent q word, but
no message TO be sent for less than twelve
cents, or six pence, and We are now about
to send the address and signature free.
In this country, understand, you cannot
! send = telegram for less than twenty-fv
cents for ten words"
Would tho people go back again TO
private telegraph asked Mr.. Wanna
maker.
NO." replied Mr.. Heaton. There
would be riot II such a thing were at
tempted. The people are SO well satisfied
with the way the work is done, and have
| so much confidence in It, which they would
| not have in private hands. Then very
much saving is effected by the use, in
| many places. of only 4 table In one corner
Of the room, and the postmaster often com
bines both duties, without any detriment
| TO either, but he also has an increase Of
| salary, and often the assistance of = boy.
We have also introduced at my instance
after some fighting, that splendid system
known rs telegraphic money orders, where
by any person can so TO a telegraph offios
| and send any sum up TO el0 or SO to any
part Of the country. Say his wife is in
trouble or one OF his servants, banks may
| be closed, or he may not have bank ac-
count.
'Was not your failure to make . prof
| owing TO the large amounts you were
obliged TO spend in putting the lines in
good shapci-the bcttcrmcnts of the equip
mcntam qucricd the postmaster general. :
mo, the lines are in fairly good condi
ton, but the large increase Of business Of
| course made It necessary for the govern
nent TO provide more facilities. The cheap
| sning Of the rates and the greater conf
icnce in the government telegraph largely
Increased the number OF messages sent.
There are many men who will not send q
| elegram because they have no confidence
IN private parties or companies. The
| companies were paid too much for the
| Hnes."
"Have you any idea Of reducing the
rates furtherr" asked the postmaster gen
| .ral.
mot further than TO send address and
signature free. am now making an efYor,
And have published pamphlet an the sub
iect to reduce the rate to penny a word
to France, 1t is now cents, and WAS for
merly under the companys cents word.
| | am the agent of the Chamber OF Com
mercc Of Paris, in London, in that effort
II will take year TO accomplish it. but
| the increase OF business will justify it. 1t
might have been brought about this year,
| but the cables had to be renewed, so that
| our government thought 1t best TO put of
recommending 1t until next year"
1