THE MARCONI AGREEMENT.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—I am surprised at the tone of your correspondent "Broker's" letter, for I had carefully read your article as well as that by Major Archer-Shee in the National Review for this month, and both struck me as being moderate and restrained. There have been some unpleasant rumours current in the City about this contract, and those who are uneasy on this score, and apprehensive of the apparent foster- ing of a new monopoly at the expense of the public, should press for the appointment of an independent committee, as offered by the Prime Minister shortly before the adjournment of the House, when these matters can be thrashed out, and, let us hope, the rumours referred to effectively dispelled. The matter is of wider importance than the price of Marconi shares. It is understood that the main or master patent for wireless telegraphy has only about eighteen months more to run. The proposal for the Government to pay the enormous cost of the installations and further to agree to pay the Marconi Com- pany a royalty on the gross receipts under this dying patent for a possible period of twenty-eight years does appear to many people to be a preposterously bad bargain for the public. I may add that I am neither a " bull" nor a "bear," and the insinuation that your contributor was influenced by personal motives seems grotesque to those who know the Spectator. It should not have been made.—I am, Sir, Sic.,
"ONE OF THE PUBLIC."
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