New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-06
IN AND OUT OF CONGRESS-.
WESTERN UNION AND THE NEWSPAPER
BUSINESS.
THE HOUSE AND THE TARIFF MELBOURNE
CoCKRAN's CONTRIBUTION TO PATRIOT

THE HOUSE AND THE TARIFF BILI--BoURKE
CoCKRAN's CONTRIBUTION TO PATRIOT
AIsM-DR. MCANDLEss's LITTLE JOKE
Washington. May 5.-Presldent Eckert. Of the
| Western Union Telegraph Company. has Issued a
statement in answer to the charge that combina-
| ton exists between the Western Union Telegraph
| Company and the press associations by means Of
| which the newspapers that are members OF those
associations get special advantages that enable them
10 prevent the establishment OF rival newspapers
and thus deprive printers OF employment which they
would otherwise be able 10 obtain.
He says the rates given by the company TO the
press associations are in way exclusive. and can
be had by any association OF papers applying for
them. II Is true that they make the rate TO each
paper served somewhat lower than the rates charged
for special reports sent sngly 10 newspapers. be-
cause one transmission serves number OF news
papers at the time and reduces the cost ~
service materially. The Western Union Telegraph
Company instead OF being party to agreement
by which the publication OF newspapers IL restricted.
as charged. makes 1t possible. by throwing open its
wires on equal terms, IN many cases at an actual
pecunlary loss to Itself. for hundreds Of news
papers to obtain the news Of the world which
otherwise they could not AFFORD 70 obtain.
The assertion that under Government ownership
the telegraphic facilities Of the country would be
80 extended TO start up an unlimited number OF
newspapers Is not based upon facts reason. The
comparisons between the telegraph service and the
postal service is quite ilusory. The physical ca
pacty Of telegraph wire Is limited, and when the
limit OF one wire between any two points is reached
the only way In which additional service can De
provided for Is by the erection OF second wire. In
this country, where the distances are great. such
additional wires involve very large expense and
particularly would this be so II put up TO accommo
date the demands for ephemeral newspapers In
small outlying towns for they would, In the
torty Of cases represent so much wasted capital
no matter whether the service belonged 10 private
corporations or to the Government. With the postal
system the case Is entirely different The mall bag
that carries fifty letters 10 obscure country town
could lust as well carry twice or three times
MANY letters at a slight II any additional expense
He quotes from the budget speech of the British
Chancellor OF the Exchequer TO show that the total
deficit on the Government controlled telegraph ser
Vice in England now reaches four and half million
mounds sterling G22,50o0Oo). and says: with this
example. after a trial Of more than twenty years.
(, IL not difficult compute the demands upon the
taxpayers that would follow similar experiment
in the United States which cover thirty
times as large as the area Of Great Britain and
Ireland"
Representative Bryan. OF Nebraska. who Is n mem
Der of the subcommittee OF the Ways and Means
Committee which framed the income tax, IS not
pleased with the reported action of the Senate Dem
ocrats In agreeing to limit the operation of the tax
10 five years.
.If the law is unsatisfactory" said Mr. Bryan
TODAY at could be repealed at any time But II 1t
is limited 10 five years 1t may then take a two
thirds ma jorty to re-enact it, assuming that have
a President who would veto IL. We have had some
experiences OF vetoes at this session, witness the
Seipniorage bill"
'Wi1 the House agree to the Tariff bill II the
income tax be restricted TO a few years only?"
."rhe House." replied Mr.. Bryan. will try 10 get
a bill as near the original Wilson bill possible"
'I,ut suppose the Senate insists that they
pass the Tariff bill unless the income tax is to have
a fixed Limitation. What will the House do them"
THAT reminds me-" said Mr.. Bryan. with smile.
''of story General Grant used 10 tell. His father
sent him TO neighboring town to sell horse. lie
tod him to get 500 II he could but II not to take
40 The man asked young Grant what he wanted |
Tor the horse The latter innocenty replied that he
would take $50 but that he was told 10 get 500 II
ne could OF course he got only $50. because he !
gave away his In advance That's what the |
House would be doing II II said now what of II
tariff bin Il viii ultimately agree upon"
Rurke Cochran walked through the corridor OF |
the House OF Representatives yesterday waving the |
green certificate OF his attendance upon the Rouse
for the month or April .
said the eloquent NewYorker.
How so? -,