New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-05
CABLE PROBLEM A HARD ONE.
ATTORNEY GENERAL KNOX MAY BE READY
TO REPORT ON IT AT THE NEXT
CABINET MEETING.
Iry TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

IFY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington Oct. 4.-Attorney- General Knox did
not have his report ready for submission to the
Cabinet meeting for to-day on the proposition of
John w Mackay and his associates for the con-
struction of a cable across the Pacific from San
Francisco to Manila. touching at Honolulu and
Guam. The Acknowledgement is making such an
exhaustive investigation of the subject that he
unable to complete 1t in time. Mr. Knox, how
ever hopes to have his report prepared for the
next Cabinet meeting. which will be Tuesday OF
next week The work is arduous. There no
precedents for the guidance OF the Attorney-Gen-
eral. There has never been any legislation on the
cable question. The transatlantic cables have Sc
cured landing in the United States simply by the
consent executive authority of the country,
without any reference to the legislative depart
ment of the government. But the Pacifc cable
proposition differs all others in the important
particular that II is strictly domestic enterprise,
and is not to touch a foreign shore in its entire
length of thousand miles from San Francisco
to Manila. No other government, therefore, can
have anything to say about it.
For this very reason. however, II Is not yet
known whether. under the most liberal exercise OF
his general executive authority, the President has
the power to grant the privileges sought by the
Mackay people The Attorney General. therefore,
is first addressing himself to this question If his
Investigations should result in the discovery that
the President has the necessary authority. then
another equally interesting question presents itself
1t is as to whether the power to grant the
franchise asked for embraces the authority on the
part of the President prescribe the conditions
under which the cable is to be operated, In order
TO be entitled the protection of the government
This carries with it the fixing of a schedule Of
tolls as well as the usual condition that govern
ment business is have the right of way over all
other business.
In their request the Mackay people obllgate
themselves simply not to charge any more for
messages from the United States to the Philip
pines than is now charged by the lines that hanGe
messages from this country to Manila over the
Atlantic cables and through Europe and Asia. 1t
pointed out that there would be no expedition
in the means Of communication over that now
available the Mackay proposition ought to guaran,
tee a reduction of the rate, both as a commercial
advantage and a return for government protection
OF course. il is conceded that the communication
promised with Hawaii and Guam, which now are
sense an advantageous factor. but even this
seems to be unattractive to the government unless
there assurance of cheaper cable rates TO the
Orient as a means of aiding the growth OF Amer
globe. .
In view these considerations. all of which Rave
and members Of the Cabinet, II is considered
probable that the Mackay proposition will not meet
with approval when finally passed upon by the
President and his advisers. They are, however.
all heartily favor of the early construction OF a
cable across the Pacific along the route described
by MaclIay proposition but Congress soon is
70 meet il NAV be regarded by them as the wiser
let Congress deal with the subject. 1t is
that for nearly twenty years the subject has
II is argued that the legislators. recognizing the
great growth of the worlds activities in the Pacific
and the conspicuous part in them being played by
this country at present, Will at their coming Ses-
sion this winter respond more readily to the de-
rnands of the changed situation regards the
long mooted question of transpacihc cable In
construction of a government cable in order TO
secure the cheapest tolls practicable.