File No. 841.731/602
The Western Union Telegraph Company to the counselor for the Department of State
[Received June 3.]
Dear Sir: Replying to your esteemed favor of the 27th ultimo, I beg to say that when the Tuckerton route was opened we were advised of its availability for messages to Germany and Austria, Hungary, and our offices and our connecting lines in the West Indies and for Central and South America were likewise informed. Since that time we have accepted all messages offered for the countries mentioned for transmission by that route, except during several periods when communication has been interrupted. Some time ago we were informally advised by the Tuckerton station that messages would be accepted for any country in Europe and also for Turkey in Asia, and we are prepared to accept such messages for Europe as are offered for that route. Considering, however, the high rate of 62 cents per word which is charged by that route, as against a rate of 25 cents per word to Holland, for instance, by cable with the privilege of using the deferred cable service at still lower rates, and having in mind also the heavy delays by the wireless route as against prompt service by cable, it seems extremely unlikely that many messages will be routed via Tuckerton wireless for points which the cables will serve. You will understand, of course, that the Tuckerton route is really insufficient for German and Austro-Hungarian messages alone, so that delays of days in transmission frequently occur. It is my understanding that at the present time the Tuckerton station is about three days behind in the transmission of the messages which we are turning over to it.
The office at Minneapolis to which you refer is a branch office which should have made some inquiry about the matter before refusing the message. It has been properly instructed and the Midland Linseed Company, which we understand is the company concerned, has been informed of the situation.
Yours very truly,
Commercial General Manager