The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1890-09-06
ENGLISH TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.
Statements Regarding the Success of
Postal Telegraphy.

WASHINGTON. Sept. S.-The Hon.
J. Henniker Heaton, NJ. p, the great
English postal reformer, is in the city,
and to-day had an extended interview with
Postmaster General Wanamaker in the
interest of reduction of postal rates De
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 nav
ing paid, l think, 3, 600 600, or SAC, ooo,ooo'
more than the teIegraphs were worth to
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 slight profit think on s2oo,Ooo'
including the interest on the original pur-
chase to which l 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 co.,
900 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
withstanding the fact that we have re
duced the price of kilograms to halfpenny
faaS - - hnt
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, l understand, you cannot
send telegram for less than twenty-tive
cents for ten words
Would the people go back again to a
private telegraph asked Mr.. Wanna
maker.
NO replied Mr.. Heaton. There
would be riot if such thing were at
tempted, The people are so well satisfied
with the way the work is done, and have
so much confidence in 1T, which they would
not have in private hands. Then very
much saving is effected by the use, in
many places, of only a table in one corner
Of the room, and the postmaster often com
bines both duties, without any detrimeut
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 as Geographic money orders, where
oy any person can go to telegraph office
and send any sum up to e1O or $50 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 &C
count.
"Was not your failure to make a profit
owing to the large amounts you We're
obliged to spend in putting the lines in
good shape!- the betterments of the equip
nentsr' queried the postmaster general.
NO, the lines are in fairly good condi-
lion, but the large increase of business of
course made it necessary for the govern
nent TO provide more facilities. The cheap
ening of the rates and the greater conf
ience in the government telegraph largely
increased the number Of messages sent.
There are many men who will not send a
telegram because they have no confidence
IN private parties or companies. The
companies were paid too much for the
lines ~
"How did you come 10 pay so much more
than the lines were worthl' was asked
Mr.. Heaton replied that this had been a
subject of much parliamentary discussion
and the officials now admit that they made
a mistake in advising the purchase of the
lines at the price paid. The story of that
is worth getting.
Have you any idea of reducing the
rates further,' asked the postmaster gen
sral.
Not further than to send address and
signature free. am now making an effort
and have published a pamphlet an the sub
iect to reduce the rate TO penny word
to France. 1t is now 4 cents, and was for
merly under the company's cents word.
am the agent of the Chamber of Com
merce of Paris, in London, in that effort.
1t 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 it best to put off
recommending it until next year,