The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-17
PROPOSED PACIFIC CABLE.
Government Ownership Strongly Adj
ocate by Representative CorIiss.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE report to
be filed tomorrow by the House committee
on interstate and foreign recon-
mending the passage of the bill introduced
by Representative Corliss providing for
government ownership of a Pacific cable,
says that the United States, by the annex
alton Of Hawaii and the acquisition Of the
Philippines and other islands,, through the
ratification of the Paris treaty, assumed
the responsibility of maintaining peace in
the Pacific ocean. This obligation, the re-
port, which was prepared by Representa-
tive Corliss, the author OF the bill, says
was deliberately undertaken by this coun-
try, and approved by the united voice of
the people. 1t adds: The future peace
and prosperity of these islands will largely
depend upon the facilities extended by our
government for the advancement and en-
lightenment OF the people there. If we
are to continue in control of these islands,
the people must be made to understand the
character and purpose OF our government
and to feel the benefits of enlightened civ
i~lization and American liberty. This can
be accomplished through the medium of
cable communications. The advancement
of our own people and the benefit of rapid
communication through the telephone,
telegraph and railway lines, illustrate the
advantages and the progress that may be
achieved through cable messages"
Regarding government ownership of ca
bles, Mr.. Corliss says England for fifty
years has been constantly acquiring by
purchase and construction cable cOmmuni-
cation with her vast possessions until she
has expended upward of a hundred million
dollars for this purpose, and operates her
own cables connecting her colonies. Eng
land is now constructing a Pacific cable
from Vancouver to Australia at a cost of
nearly 100000, and in order to give her
tradesmen and manufacturers the benefit
of this communication at the least posi-
bic expense, has fixed a rate of 2 shillings,
or 80 cents, per word for cable messages
from Vancouver TO New Zealand.
France, Germany and other nations are
not sleeping upon their rights, as the peo-
pie of the United States have BEEN com
government telegraphic communicati o55
with their respective possessions. l there
fore contend that the Pacific cable should
be owned. controlled and operated by the
government of the United States. IL should
laid by an American ship, under the Amer
lean flag, and operated at actual cost for
the dissemination of knowledge. the proper
direction OF our army and navy. and the
advancement OF our trade and
In the Pacific. The transmission Of com
munication should be held by the state.
The right 10 construct and operate the
Pacific cable is a public utility of franchise
held by the people. Its control is an in
herent right OF the Nation; its construc-
ton and operation necessarily will become
should not be transferred from the control
OF the people
General Greedy. chief of the signal serv-
ice of the War Department. who has charge
of the Geographic lines owned by the gov
eminent and who has given the subject
careful consideration and constructed sew
eral HUNDRED miles of cable under the con-
troll OF the War Department, the report
says. estimates the entire cost of a Pacific
cable. including ships and all possible con-
tingencies. at slo,ooo,0o. n places the