New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-14
THE PACIFIC CABLE.

The project of laying a Geographic cable
across the Pacific Ocean seems Mt last 10 be
under way In emnently practical fashion. The
United States Navy has taken 1t in hand; and
the United States Navy has a habit of accom-
plishing whatever II undertakes We told some
weeks ago what had been done by the Navy In
the way of surveying a route. The surveys
were not final, but they were sufficient to con-
vince the Secretary of the Navy OF the entire
practicability of the scheme, and he has accord
ingly caused to be introduced into Congress
bill providing for the immediate construction Of
the line The work is TO be done by the Navy,
which fact IS the best possible guarantee that 1t
will be well done. and when completed Is TO be
turned over TO the Postofice Department for
control and operation as a part Of the postal
service of the Nation.
These latter provisions will provoke the only
unfavorabe criticism which the project Is likely
to receive, and even that will be limited in ex-
tent There are those who hold that the Gov
eminent should not undertake such a work. but
should leave it to private enterprise. That con-
tention is on general principles legitimate but
is not necessarily convincing in this case. The
present question is one of practically rather
than Of academic theory. The cable is urgently
needed by the Government and by the Nation.
How can 1t most speedily and most economi-
cally be secured? If the answer be by Govern.
ment action, then let the Government act And
that such is the answer seems pretty well as
sured 1t Is TO be observed that while several
private companies have approached the subject
| they have done so only or chiefly 10 the extent
| OF seeking Government subsidies. They have
asked the Government practically to pay the
bulk OF the cost of laying the cable, and then 10
leave the cable in their hands as their property.
| The question naturally arises, II the Govern
ment Is TO pay for II, why should It not own II :?
! These are the propositions: The private COM
pany offering the best terms would lay the cable
II the Government would pay it 100000 a year
for twenty years In return It would transmit
| Government messages free for the twenty years
and at half rates thereafter. SO the Govern
ment would pay IS, 000, 900, or nearly the whole
| cost Just for such Of the cable, without ac-
quring any proprietary rights, and at the end OF
twenty years the company might sell the cable
10 some foreign corporation. On the other hand
the Government proposes to construct the cable
Itself, at a cost OF 100000, and be itself the
sole proprietor of il. Another 81, coo may be
needed for operating expenses the first year.
making S11 100000 in all. After that, 1t is reck-
| oned, the cable Will be source OF net profit
estimate which seems 10 be well within bounds
OF reason. The question is then, whether the
Government shall pay 100000 merely for n
certain limited use of the cable and have no as
sets to show for II, or shall pay S11, 100000 for
unlimited and perpetual use and for full owner
ship, and shall have the whole plant as assets,
| paying, presumably, fine dividends.
| That seems, on simple business grounds, sus-
ceptible OF only one answer. There is no need
OF discussing In detail the preposterous objec.
ton that as some have said, 1t will be rank
| Socialism" for the Government to construct and