Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
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POSTAL TEIEGRAPHY.

Postmaster General Wanamaker re-
Gently addressed letter to Congress-
man Evans, chairman OF the sub-commit-
tee on postal telegraph, in which he
urges that early action be taken on the
question OF reporting to the house the
bill in the hands of the committee, and
suggests that any decision will at least
let the people know where postal tel
egraphy stands. The postmaster gen.
eral says that communications to the de-
partment evidence a widespread public
interest in the subject, and he contributes
to the strength of his own position by
submitting report made by Mr.. Bing
ham, at present chairman OF the CON-
mittee on postofiices and post roads, to
the Forty-seventh congress favoring
postal telegraphy. This report pre-
sented very strong argument for the
proposed system and was especially
vigorous in it's arraignment of the West
ern Union telegraph company for per-
sistent hostility to the establishment OF
postal telegraph system controlled by
the government'in connection with the
postoffice service of the country, and its
use of agencies and influences to defeat
every attempt to establish such system.
The reference to this report made eight
years ago is pertinent and valuable.
The bill of Mr.. Evans, which is under
consideration by the subcommittee, is
not radical measure. 1t is limited in
scope and experimental in its provisions
1t does not propose anything that can
not be. shown to be entirely feasible and
practicable. 1t has been favorably passed
upon by the chairman of the committee
on postoffices and post roads, who is
high authority. 1t is acceptable to the
postmaster general, whose views of how
postal telegraphy should be iraugur-
ated are eminently safe and conser-
vative. 1t is unquestionable that the
great majority of the American people
are in favor of the establishment of the
system. The weight of argum ent is
! overwhelmingly on that side. The
people want cheaper and more
| efficient telegraph service, and
they can be assured of getting It only by
the plan proposed The telegraph has
become as much of a public necessity, by
| reason of the methods and exigencies OF
| modern business, as the postal service
| is, and it should be made more largely
available to the public both by extend
ing its facilities and cheapening'its cost.
This should not wait upon the will or
interests OF private corporation. 1t is
the duty of the government, for the pro.
motion Of the general welfare, to pro.
vide a telegraph system in connection
with the postal service which will en-,
able the people tbemploy more freely the
more rapid method of communication on
terms that will warrant its larger use
and there is no good reason why the per-
formance of that duty should be post.
poned. The present congress is thor
oughly informed as to whatit is desirable
to do now, public sentiment is in favor
of the proposed policy, and there is ne
necessity for delay or for leaving this
matter to be settled by future con
gress. There is promise that the posta
telegraph bill will be reported at AT
early day, but what the action on it viii
be can not be predicted with certainty
There is believed, however, to be bet
ter prospect of favorable result thar
ever before. AT any rate it will be well
as the postmaster general has suggested
to let the people know where posta
teleg raphy stands.