New-York tribune., 1902-02-17
PACIFIC CABLES CONTROL.
OWNERSHIP URGED BY
HOUSE COMMITTEE.
TBY TELEGRApH ro rHE rRIRrNr-l !

E.
Washington, Feb 16-In the forthcoming re-
port Of the House Committee on Interstate and
forelgn Commerce. recommending the passage
OF the bill introduced by Representative Corliss
providing for government ownership OF a Pa
clnc cable Mr. Corss the author of the report
VIII argue that the United States. by the an
heXation Of Hawaii and the acquisition of the
Philippines and other islands through the rati-
hcation of the Paris Treaty. assumed the re-
sponsbility of maintaining peace in the Pacific
ocean, and that the obligation was deliberately
undertaken by this country and approved bv
the united voice of the people. Mr. Corliss will
say:
The future peace and prosperity of these
lslanus VIII largely depend upon the facilities ex-
tended by our government for the advancement
anu anu ehhshtenment Of the people there. If we
are 10 continue in control of these islands the
people must be made to understand the charac-
Ter ana purpose of our government. and to feel
the dement's OF enlightened civilization and
AiHerlCan liberty. This can be accomplished
InrouSh the medium of cable communications
ne advancement of own people and the
"@heHt OF rapid communication through the
telephone telegraph and railway lines illus
trate the advantages and the progress that may
De achleved through cable messages.
Regarding government ownership of cables
MI Corliss says that the action of other nations
IN such directions should be considered He
speaks Of England, which for fifty years has
construction cable communications with her
vast possessions until she has expended up
wards OF SlOo,O0O.OOO for this purpose and
operates her own cables connecting her colonies.
England has now constructed a Pacific cable
from Vancouver to Australia at a cost of nearly
S9bOOOO, and in order TO give tradesmen and
manufacturers the benefit of this communica-
ton has fixed rate of two shillings or fifty
cents, word for cable messages from Van
couver TO New-Zealand. He adds:
France Germany and other nations are not
sleeping upon their rights, as the people of the
United States have been, but establishing
government telegraphic communication with
their respective possessions
therefore contend that the Pacific cable
should be owned. controlled and operated by the
government of the United States. 1t should be
made by an American manufacturer. laid by an
American ship under the American flag, and
operated at actual cost for the dissemination
OF KhoWledge the proper direction of our army
and navy, and the advancement of our trade
and commerce in the Pacific The transmission
or communication should be held by the State.
Ihe right to construct and operate the Pacific
cable is a public utility franchise held by the
people. It's control is an inherent right to the
nation; its construction and operation will
necessarily become, for a great many years, a
monopoly and should not be transferred from
the control of the people.
General GreeIy, chief of the signal service of
the War Department, who has charge Of the
telegraphic lines owned by the government and
who has given the subject careful consideration
and constructed several hundred miles of cable
under the control of the War Department. esti-
mates the entire cost Of a Pacific cable. states
Mr.. Corliss, including ships and all possible
contingencies. at $1OOOOOOO, and places the an
nuaI expenses at S525. 900. His Judgment is con-
frmed by the opinion OF Rear Admiral r. b.
Bradford, chief Of the Bureau of Equipment.
Mr. Corliss continues:
A complete survey has been made by our
navy at the expense Of at least $500, 900 to
people, and a route established extending from
California TO Hawaii, Guam, Wake Midway
and the Philippine Islands. There is no longer
any doubt to the praCticability of this prof.
ect from technical and engineering point of
view.
Every part OF the world has been enlightened
by cables lines except the Pacific Ocean This
vast body of water under control of
government seems to be the dark spot upon
the face of the earth, and for the want of a
cable Hawaii, a part of our own country. is
left in darkness seven days behind the rest of
the world.