The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-01-10

apU1rtuuitv now To 90 even further and to
use the example of what has been accom-
piished in the western hemisphere as a
means OF securing freedom from monopoly
in the other countries with which the TAI
ted States has direct cable communica-
ton. for admittedly world peace and an
extensive commerce depend largely upon
communication. The Harding admins
tratiun is saying nothing for the present
about licenses to companies landing cables
from European points prcferring to settle
the South American situation first and
offer an example Of what can be done by
the aboEshing cable mOuOpolies. But
the fact is that the Kellog bill enacted
recently into law gives the chief eNecu-
tive powers which may revolutioHiZe the
VIII 4Ie question OF cable communication If
profsAIy exercised. 1t viii be recalled
that the Wilson administration feeling
confident of the constitutional rights of
the executive i'm refusing to grant per
mity To companies To land cables u the
interests of the United States seemed
adversely affected found itself in the midst
of litigation with the Western Union. The
federal courts never did get = chance 10
decide whether the executive had the
power To grant or revoke cable licenses for
in the middle of the controversy congress
acted and specifically vested i'm the chief
executive all the discretionary power
needed. it then became a matter for fur
Their negotiation between the state depart
ment and the cable companies.
Ne Preference Shown.
The Washington government made it
clear that its yiew, did not involve pre-
ference i'm cable companies nor was 1t at
tempting to declare how these concerns
should handle their business but thar
broadly speaking communication was q
matter of policy u We'll as law and that
the United States could not agree 10 per
NIT the Western Union 10 land cable at
Miami If that Hcant connection with a
British company IN Brazil which having
an exclusive WCuopqly IN BraZulan coast
virtually prevented an American cable
cgWTaHy.. operating ON the west coast OF
South America. trg'a reaching arouhd
the continent and developing It's lines.
The Western Union always replied that
the Nll-AmeriCd Co. had similar mDn3po-
iies in Peru and Ecuador and that tn,
Western Mon was prevented from de
vClCping its lines north of Chile ON the
west coast of SoUrh America. Thus the
controversy dragged on but it became
evident TO all concerned that IL was only
. question of time until the United States
Though It's diplomatic influence would see
To IL that mOnUp9Ile> were not renewed
- all the companie> were brought into
4 harmony and the Impression this CORES
pendent has gained by investigation OF
the subject in official circles is that th,
agreement satisfies all parties and means
Sucp forward i'm rapid communication
[ a. we'll as i'm the development of better
political and commercial relations VIII
South America.
More NonopuIies To go.
There are some monopolies in Central
America which will i'm time also be abol-
i>hcd. The principle of the American gov
c1Iment lis that amy time amy company
wants n cable permit to land in the [ nj
ted States, il must free itself from mon
| opoistic claims Eventually European
companies which are connected with
America bv direct cable and which are not
giving Anericat companies reciprocal
privileges abroad win find their permits
In danger of being revoked unless they
live up he spirit Of reciprocity. For the
Kellogg law removes ali doubt a to the
power IF the executive and gives the presi-
dent the right to grant or revoke per
luit~ At any time that the conditions are
not fulfilled by cable companies in peace
as well as i'm time Of war.