New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-23
PACIFIC CABLE DISCUSSED.
MESSRS. SCRYMSER AND BAYLIES BEFORE
THE HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE.

THE HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE.
Washington Jan. 22-Interesting arguments were
made to-day by James A. Scrymser. the president
and Edmund l.. Baylies, the vice-president, Of the
Pacific Cable Company of NewYork. before the
House Commerce Committee. The opening remarks
were made by Mr. Scrymser. who confined himself
largely to an explanation OF the cable systems of
the world. showing how extensively they were
dominated by British Influences. particularly by the
Eastern Gable Company. controlled by Sir John
Pender. Of London. He explained how his cable
companies 10 Mexico. Central and South America
are the subjects of discrimination by the English
companies, and how the influence of British d.
plomacy and British merchants Is continually used
TO monopo.e so far az possible the cable business
of the world.
Mr.. Bayies, who followed Mr.. Scrymser. asserted
that the Spauldcg Cable Company of New-Jersey
which holds concession from the Hawaiian Gov
eminent for cable between San Francisco and
Honolulu is subject to British influence He said
that Sir John Pender is directly interested In the
Spaulding Company and he detailed a conversation
between himself and ex-Mayo- Hewitt of New
York, in which Mr.. Hewitt expressed desire that
Mr.. Scrymser should identify himself with the
Spauliing Company, and said thai Sir John Pender
also insisted on it. Mr.. Baylies replied that Mr.
Scrymse- would have nothing to do with the
Spaulding Company il Sir John Pender con-
ncctcd with It, because such company could not
be operated for the best interests of America in
Pender was necessarily hostile TO America Mr..
Baylics added that he desired in a sense of fair
ness to say that Mr.. Hewitt denied having made
the proposition in these terms but insisted that
Mr. Baylies had misunderstood him. Mr. BayIiec
however quoted from a letter written TO him by
Mr. Hewitt. in which he said that he (Mr. HewitO
was induced TO take an interest in it Uhe Pacific
Gable Company OF New-Jersey) because he wished
TO do Sir John Fender friendly act"
MT Bayhes then Informed the committee that
Mr. Hewitt held stock to the amount of 500 shares
ion the there was o ana that in his opn
me right to lay he Hawaiian cable. it would be
heirs and successors as Sir John died three months
ago. The New-York company. Mr. Baylies contin-
ued, opposed throwing the contract for a Hawaiian
cable open TO competition. for the reason that If it
were awarded 10 the New-Jersey company 1t would
pany has the exclusive right to land cable in
Hawaii conditioned upon Its receiving a subsidy
oily TO which the Government would be committed.
the law nov on the
sey or Spaulding company agreed only to extend
zion to China and JAPAN was optional with IL
self The Scrymser company, on the other hand.
China at relatively much smaller subsidy than
the other company asked for cable to Honolulu.
showed the committee that If this contract were
given TO his company he could raise sloooooo within
months and to China and Japan IN one year ad-
IS noM wnrkms na ap" na
the people Of the East would welcome an American
cable which would carry their business for about
half the tolls now charged lie had no fear. he
said Of English competition so long he enjoyed
equal advantages He had been fighting the Eng
sh companies for thirty years and he was willing
to fight them thirty years longer He deprecated
the giving OF exclusive privileges to any cable com
pany He replied. IN answer 10 question that
these privileges necessary when he laid his
cable to Cuba many years ago, because the cable
business was then in its infancy and capitalist
would not invest without these guarantees Condi-
lions however. have radically changed since then
and exclusive privileges now are not needed. and