The San Francisco call., 1899-10-17

placed an absolute veto upon the
splendid project to bring the con-
ventions Of the two national politi-
cal parties to this city. The official
spokesmer OF the Western Union
Telegraph Company and the Postal Tele-
graph Company declare that the corpora
tons which they represent are unable to
meet one OF the conditions which neces-
sity would demand in the event Of q
session Of either the Republican or the
Democratic national convention in San
Francisco. The leading newspapers of the
Union viii insist, as they have insisted
before, that complete and individual re-
ports Of the convention proceedings be
sent 10 them by their special correspond
ents. This would involve the telegraphlc
transmission of over half q million words
a day across the continent II either OF
the conventions were held in this city.
Both Of the telegraph companies an
nOunCe that they are utterly unable 10
undertake such a gigantic task and con-
sequently. however deeply the people ana
public spirited citizens Of the city may
regret the loss OF what would be a UNI
versally conceded advantage, the condl-
tion must be accepted and the project
abandoned. The same lack Of telegraphlc
facilities has robbed san Francisco OF the
honor and advantage of 8 national po-
litiCal convention three times in twelve
years.
National political leaders Of both par
ties and fair minded people Of other
States have admitted that this city as
one Of the great cities Of the Union, IS
emitted TO the honor Of a national con-
vention. The citizens Of San Francisco
have uleaded with both national parties
for such an honor. The people Of the
State, Irrespective of political ties, have
time and again lent their assistance.
Members of both national committees
have not only promised their votes for
San Francisco. but have given them. The
city has guaranteed thousands or dollars
for the entertainment of national dele
gates and has sent representatives to
Washington to plead with the national
committees and promise all but one of
the facilities and accommodations that
are necessary TO the success of ma
tional convention. The single facility
that could not be promised and which
cannot now be supplied has proved the
unfailing obstacle TO success, 1t is the
inability Of the telegraph companies to
send across the continent the news of the
convention proceedings.
In past efforts the people of the city
have deluded themselves to the last mo-
ment with hope of success. They have
gone to great expenditure Of money and
M
co is now more than ever entitled TO at
least one Of the national conventions If
not both, the regrettable fact remains that
she cannot have either. The telegraph
companies are no more able now than
they were twelve years ago to handle
the tremendous volume Of news which
proceeds from national convention.
Representatives of the two great com
panies who speak with authority, de-
clare that the corporations for which
they speak will not attempt to repair
their admitted weakness. They declare,
IN the first place, that II would be neces-
sary to duplicate the systems now in use
In order to transmit the news telegraph
ically across the continent.
Such an undertaking would involve a
cost far in excess Of any prospective
profit from convention work and the com
panies refuse positively to incur loss.
In the second place the managers of the
companies declare that even If the cor
porations we're disposed to supply the
facilities necessary for the transmission
Of news they could not do so in the time
that now remains before the meetings Of
the two conventions. San Francisco
must therefore accept the failure which
all of its citizens and well-wishers must
look upon as unfortunate and undeserved.
The present movement, which, with a
reasonable prospect of success would be
Commendable, is neither new nor feasible.
Several times before officials Of the city
and State, political and civic organiza-
tions and prominent citizens Of all polit-
ical Creeds have united in agitating
project that would have been of the
greatest advantage to California. But
after the members of the two great ma
tional political parties had given their
promises and inclined their heartiest sup
hs.r fr7fa avrr
Of the telegraph companies and found
that one of the most vital elements of
convention success with San Francisco as
a headquarters was an impossibility.
The leading newspapers Of the Union
insisted that they be guaranteed the right
TO transmit convention news to suit them
selves individually. They refused positive
y 70 accept reports which their rivals
would also receive. The transmission of
such rews is of primary Importance to
both parties and when the telegraph COM
panies announced that they could not send
II san Francisco dropped from the list of
available asprants for convention honors
What the members of both national
committees nave done time and again be-
fore and what they will do again The Call
has already done. 1t has secured inter-
views from Frank Jaynes, superintendent
OF the w eStern Union Telegraph Com
pany, and from Assistant Superintendent
Swain of the Postal Telegraph Company.
Both declare that their companies are ut
tcrly unable to handle the enormous vol
ume Of telegraphic matter that would be
offered by American newspaper represent
atives at a national political convention
held in this city.
Superintendent Jaynes of the Western
Union Telegraph Company says that his
company has not the facilities for such a
tremendous task, and more than that will
not attempt to secure them The time is
too limited, he says, the expense too
great, and the undertaking too large. In
an interview yesterday he spoke as fol-
lows:
It will be absolutely impossible for
the two telegraph companies com
bined to handle the news in the event
Of the national conventions being
held in this city. While would like
very much to have them come here
the undertaking Is too large for the
telegraphic facilities at present avail
able, Tt will require several hun
dred wires in addition to the present
equipment, which wires would have
TO be stretched across the continent
to Chicago at least, and even if the
companies should decide to string the
extra wires the time is too limited
to put them in place for the conven-
tions. It would practically necessi-
l.