Note 13 — Chapter II · The Argument for the Nationalization of the Telegraphs

Journal of the Statistical Society, March, 1881.

The Tariff of the Electric and International Co., for 20 words (addresses not counted after 1854), was as follows:

In 1840, and for some years after, the charge was 2 cents a mile for the first 50 miles; 1 cent a mile for the second 50 miles; and 5 cents for each mile beyond 100 miles.

In 1850 the maximum charge for 20 words was reduced to $2.40; early in 1851 it was reduced to $2.04; and in November, 1851, it was reduced to 60 cents for 100 miles, and $1.20 for distances beyond 100 miles.

1855 1862 1864 1865

Miles $ Miles $ Miles $ Miles $

50 0.36 25 0.24 50 0.24

100 0.48 50 0.36

150 0.72 100 0.48 100 0.48 100 0.24

151 and beyond 0.96 200 0.60 200 0.60 100 to 200 0.36

300 0.96 300 and beyond 0.72 200 and beyond 0.36

400 and beyond 1.20

1855 1865

To Ireland, by marine cable 1.20 0.72 to 0.96

In February, 1872, two years after the uniform rate of 24 cents, irrespective of distance, had been put in force by the Government, the Telegraph Department made a careful examination of 7,000 messages sent from the large cities to all parts of the United Kingdom. The average charge per message was found to be 27 cents; under the rates enforced by the telegraph companies in 1865, the average charge would have been 52 cents.—Report of the Postmaster General for 1872.