New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-01
AGAINST THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH
NoRvIN GREEN. OF THE WESTERN UNION, or
POSES THE SCHEME.

Washington, Feb os-A number Of persons inter
esied in postal telcgraphy met in the room OF the
IIouse Postoice Committee this morning 10 listen 10
Dr. Norvin Green president of the western Union icie
graph Company. PoStmastcrGencral NahamsNer'
with his assistant Attorney General Tyncr. Gardner
Hubbard and representatives. of different telegraph
compancS were present. Or. Green in discussing inc
merits and dement's Of the European Governmental
telegraph systems said that while in instances their
charges were lower than those in the United states
they were conducted at loss. lie presented table
showing that the domestic companies had $1,000 sta
tons and handled over GoOOO.Ooo messages annually
A. against 80 600 stations and 1730000O0 messages In
the rest of the world. They had more than half OF
the entire mileage Of tho world. The Western Union
controlled en-ecvcnths Of this business. lis stock
was held by $3.50 persons in the United States ana
11il Of them were females DR.. Green believed that
the United states Government had no business with
the management Of the telegraph; it could not man
age as chcaply IL could not DO il better, ard none OF
The sender, Of kilograms had asked IT, II was prepared
N make a rate Of onchalf Of the cost Of sending mes
saces and the deficiency would have TO be made mp
bv the - 100000 people who did not use the tele
graph Ii the Government wanted to 60 into The
telegraph business lie said ii should buy the lines
outright II shonld not seek to fix losing rates Tor
existing companies. The Government wonld need
twice AS many lines as werc now In existence TO do
business Here was scheme presented to 60 I"
Az posofIiccs where there was free delivery ana
where there were abundant telegraph facilities THIS
was the way the Postmaster General proposed TO sup
ply the needs of 100000 people. This wa the
entering wedge Of movement to break down the
prcsent COMPANIES and establish complete Govern
mcnt telegraph: and against that he protested Il
would require y SO miles OF wire 70 supply ~nEle
connection 10 Az place, comprised WITHIN the f">'
master. Generals plan and TO do business pfac''aN
would require at least 100000 miles of wire Al the
prcss contract rates the rental Of this wire would be
updprf look
business over this system would do 30 at loss
The chairman kcd how much Of their business the
Western Union did in the free delivery cities.
Dr. Green replied thai about 10 per cent wonld
cover f. That business was more largely speculative
than the remainder Of their business. as II would IN
cludc the great money centres OF the country.
The chairman said that it proposed 10 pay
tbe opcraos ont Of the two charge the postage
stamp: he womni like know what the operating
cost
DE- Green replied that a close estimate placed It
at three per message III cases OF long distance
messages II ran up 10 nine cents
The chairman wished to know how the rates sug
gesed BIZ the Postnas cr General compared With the
present rate-.
Dr. Green replied that generally they were two nfths
lower. IN the case Of long distance messages ihcS
were half lower TO the broad question ~ T. no"
the Postmaster Generals plan appeared 10 HIM a.
business Proposition Dr. Green said that of c"nr,"
cOuld BE- carried out. but the business cOd not bc
done by III" Government or corporation al profit
and somebody would have 10 make NJ a deficiency
Representative Grain wished 20 knp" WHY. If the
bill was nprccablc DR.. Green and the pre- idcnt Of
the Postal Telegraph Company before appeared here
10 contend against it..
Dr. Green replied that they did not wish to be placed
in competition With the United states Treasury the
Government could afford to bear los.
Mr.. Crain-IHt the BIZ don't provide for That
Dr. Gr"cn-It %ill have 10 provide for that. You
will he asked Cor appropriation within year.
DR.. Green said that the receipts Of the English sys
tom lacked 600 OF paving the interest the cost
OF the plant AT . per cent lie said that. II the
POstmg tcrt General, rates adopted by the West
its receipts wouid fall just $4,000 .OoO be
low the expenditures every year
At this point the committee adjourned 10 meet to
morrow, when Dr. Green will continue his statement.