CHAPTER VII

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINANCIAL FAILURE OF THE STATE TELEGRAPHS 99

Sir S. Northcote, Chancellor of the Exchequer in Mr. Disraeli's Ministry of 1874 to 1880, is disillusioned. The State telegraphs become self-supporting in 1879-80. The House of Commons, under the leadership of Dr. Cameron, M. P., for Glasgow, overrides the Ministry and cuts the tariff almost in two. In 1890-91 the State telegraphs would again have become self-supporting, had not the House of Commons, under pressure from the civil service unions, increased wages and salaries. The necessity of making money is the only effective incentive to sound management.