The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-07-02
REVOLUTION IN
THE TELEGRAPH.
Action of Western Union and
Postal Arouses Public
Indignation.
Significant Action of Govern
ment In Honoring Independent
Company Rapid Service
and Cheaper Rates,

New YORK, June Z5.-SeVeral months
ago bill was introduced in the Mas
Bachusetts legislature requiring tele-
graph companies to forward with ev-
cry telegram the exact time it was
filed for transmission. 1t was contend
ed that this would insure a prompter
service on the part of the telegraph
companies; that it would give the re-
ceiver Of the message the satisfaction
of knowing how long it had been in
transit, and, finally, that this is pre-
cisely what the government does with
letters. Notwithstanding the oppOsi-
ton of the old telegraph companies
the bill became law, to take effect June
16.
A circular order was issued by the
Western Union company to its office
managers in Massachusetts instructing
them to charge for carrying the time
of filing, which means that it purposes
to use the law to its pecuniary adVan-
tage. For example," says the letter,
'if a message is filed at 11:45 a. m.
the words, Time filed, 11:45 a. m.,'
will be transmitted as a part of the
check and will be counted and charged
for as extra words"
The Postal Telegraph company also
intimated it's intention to make this
extra charge.
This action on the part of the ''tele-
graph trust aroused storm of indig-
nation all over the state, and immedi-
ate action was taken to amend the
bill to compel the companies to carry
the filing time free of charge. The
press is commenting in very strong
terms on what is called corporate In
science" The Boston Post, comment
ing on the matter editorially, states:
1t is entirely clear that the objection OF
the telegraph companies is not to the ex-
pense or trouble involved. very simple
system of code signals would enable the
companies to place the time of filing upon
their state messages Five or six words"
would not be required. Two or three code
letters over the wire would accomplish
the result at nominal expense and trouble.
The real objection of the telegraph COM
panies is that the stating of tho time OF
filing message would reveal the long
and inexcusable delays to which messages
are often subjected.
But the reason why the telegraph Is
used at all is to save time in transmit
ting a message, and when the public pays
for such expedition 1t certainly has q
right to know whether the service for
which 1t pays is rendered. In telegraph
systems abroad 1t Is customary to fur
nish such information without charge,
and there is no good reason why It should
not be done here. In fact, there should
not only be state law but national
law requiring it, so that reasonable
promptness in handling interstate mes
sages would also be assured ss'
For some months a new independent
telegraph company, the Telepost, has
been operating commercially In Mas
sachusetts and other New England
states. One of the features of this
new telegraph company's service is
the carrying of the filing time free Of
charge on all its messages, and this
is being done between all points
reached by its lines both in the East
and Middle West.
By this system messages are trans
mitted at the enormous speed Of 1000
words a minute over any one wire,
thus enabling the company to do bust
ness at a fraction Of the cost to the
older companies which operate by the
old method of hand transmission.
Not only does the Telepost company
carry the filing time free, but it sends
a telegram of twenty-five words for
% cents regardless Of distance, and it
has introduced a new service of fifty
words for % cents known as Tele-
posts, which are transmitted by wire
md delivered at destination through
he United States mail. A ten word
EN- cent message known as a Telecard
s treated in the same way as a Tele-
post and delivered on postcard.
Judging from the situation which
las arisen in Massachusetts, and the
manner in which It has been met by
he Western Union and Postal compa-
lies, it would seem that the public
AN look for little relief in the matter
# quicker service or cheaper rates
rom these companies.
The Importance Of this Telepost sys-
EN- cannot be overestimated, and it is
iignifcant that the United States pat
mt office Is exhibiting the system in
he interior department government
building at Seattle exposition as one
f the most wonderful of modern in
-entions carrying basic patent. 1t is
he only exhibit of advancement in the
art
For some time during the last ses-
ion of congress there was a demand
made for government control Of tele-
-raphs, and possibly the present inter
st of the government in the TelepOst
ystem is not unconnected with that
emand, but the TelepOst company
tates that fits system is not for sale.
nd its plans are being pushed forward
or connecting up the east and west.
dding important sections I'm rapid sue
ession until the system covers the
Mole country.
with public support any difficulties
lcing this independent telegraph COM
any in establishing its system should
e materially minimized. IL not elimi-
ated, and when the older companies
i've such proof Of their readiness to
match at any opportunity TO mulct the
ublic It is time that an independent
ght should be given every possible