The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-04
Dominion of Canada Will Ac-
quire All Lines
And Operate Them Through P.
0. Department.
ALSO THE TELEPHONES
Municipal Systems Will BE Let
to Cities.
WIN Require Expenditures Of
Many Millions.

New York, Feb. IA special to tha
Herald from Toronto says:
The Dominion government has prac-
tically taken steps to purchase the tcle-
graph systems Of Canada, extend them
enormously and operate them I'm connec-
ton with the postohlce department. It
is also seriously proposed to follow Is
similar course with the telephone. but III
the case. Of the latter municipalities will
be licensed. as in Britain, to operate tbs
system within their own areas.
The question Of the absolute control
of the Canadian telegraphic service has
long been discussed. but not until The
present Liberal government came into
Office has it been possible to talk nur-
chase. With a surplus running from S6.-
O00, 900 to 100000 for 1900-1901 and a
prospect Of an equally large surplus for
1901 1902. the plan seems feasible.
The great desire of Canadian states
men is to see cables owned by Great
Britain under the Atlantic and Pacific
and Joined at each ocean to wires owned
by the Dominion crossing this country
and thus practically girdling the globe
by a. cable absolutely under Imperial
control The business men Of Canada
are unanimously In favor Of the scheme.
and believe that William Mulock Who
forced on Britain tine adoption Of the
ocean penny postage. which has actual
" reduced the loss on Dominion mail
service, will speedily make a national
telegraph and telephone system a sue
cess
The Great Northwestern Telegraph
company and the Canadian Pacific rail-
way company practically control all the
wires in Canada The valuation OF the
property of both concerns is being made
very quietly, and should the arrange
ments between the government and
these two companies be completed on ssn
early date a bill dealing with tile sub
jest VIII go before the next session Of tile
Dominion parliament.
In case Of a difference arising over the
amount to be paid the arbitrator win be
an expert Of the imperial government
telegraph service.
The Canadian Pacific system extends
to about 10000 miles and IT is difficult
to get at the exact cost because IL i5
mixed up with the railway accounts.
but the cost is estimated at from $500
600 to S, 900 900.
The Great Northwestern system viii
probably come near this amount. Will
the Bell Telephone company Of Canadu
has a capital Of $1,000 600. so that tie
bable expenditure Of from $20000o 900 to
SIS 100000
The government owns several short
telegraph lines and IN almost all char
ters there are clauses providing for the
purchase of the lines. In any case tltA
capital viii be amply secured and tLe
employees would prefer to be government
officials to serving corporations.
1t will be provided in case the gov
ernments prosecuted the scheme that
newspaper telegraphic rates shall nos
be increased. and facilities will be given
to news agencies or newspapers renting
special wires, is in Britain. The 0rlr
fear of commercial men Is that United
States telegraph companies may raise
the rates or otherwise act in antason-
ism to government board