Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-08-16
PASSING or THE TELEGRAPH
FRANK. {.

II has been announced that on ana
after August ~ the Western Union
ana postal Telegraph companies VIII
abolish tho 'deadhead, and half rate
frank courtesies which for the past
decade have been extended 20 sena
tors. congressman. attorneys general
Judges on the bench, prominent mem
beers Of the bar, owners Of newspapers
and magazines. and other infiuential
cItizens and officeholders. The tcle-
graph frank was the twin brother Of
me railroad pass Railroad passes,
however. in the hey-dey Of their exist
ence. we're distributed promiscuOusly.
Not 10 with the telegraph franks.
They were dealt out with n sparing
hand 10 those whom IN the opinion Of
The managers OF the local offices the
companies would receive r~eeiprocation
Tor favors extended Il opportunity
ever presented Itself, A book Of
stamps was always proffered with a
polite note Of hopefulness. 20 judges
~ circuit and district courts. United
states district attorneys We're almost
universally smiled upon BY the teie-
graph people, as were other federal
officials. Members Of legislative bod
ies, especially during meetings Of the
legislature. could have a book OF the
stamps Cor the asking. And various
prominent and influential citizens OF
the community in which they lived
would be extended "headheadf cour-
,csies providing they were 20 K3d'
by the local managers.
But the telegraph companies were
conservative Twenty stamps, permit
ling the holder thereof to aend twenty
kilograms Of twenty words, or less,
for each stamp. were enclosed in each
hook Bht one box Of stamps was
given 10 any one person az any one
time. II Che holder Of the deadheads
maintained his official position, OF
his prominence IN the community, as
The case might be, requests for addi-
tioaai books OF stamps were always
honored. Bnt II such official lost his
position. or such a prominent citizen
lost his prominence, requests for a
renewal OF franks were lost IN the
shuttle OF red tape.
The tendency OF recent years, how
ever. has been that those who could.
81 agreeable, render reciprocative SER
Vices TO the telegraph companies, res
fused 10 accept deadhead franks, thus
putting themselves above suspicion
aa having any kindly feelings towards
corporations.
The telegraph franks viii be sin
ceroly and regrotfully parted with b,
those 10 whom they rave been goo'
friends IN times gone by. Just q sim
pie stamp on a telegram and much
money could be saved IN the month.
~ telegraph bin.
The adjustment OF the telegraph
frank indicates the advance OF th'
times. The telegraph companies have
decided that d~eadheads do not ohtaii
The returns thcy ala IN former days
In other words. The %deadheads hay'
ceased TO pay dividends.
Il might be noted in passing thu
the federal law winch maktH nun AM
void an complimentary. business an
half rate franks. very kindly provide
for an interchange of courtosies bee
tween common carriers, including Oh
railroad. express. sleeping car, tele
graph. telephone. cable and Oh com
panies. and carriers engaged in th
transportation OF passengers or prop
crty wholly hy railroad, or partly D
railroad and partly hy water.
The question now is. did the telc
graph companies inspire tho FEEDER,
law n%bolishlng "~deadhead" business
or did IL just naturally inspire itsel.
Ike the similar law prohibiting posse
60 others than employs. on the raj
road lines Of the COUNTRY