Joseph McKenna

“ We cannot so confine it. The statute certainly cannot mean that the described business should have no relation to the past and no connection with the future, however near. It may be that there might be a business so completely consummated or so much in speculation that it could not be described as 'current,' but the letters with which this case is concerned are not of either character. They regard not only immediate, but day-by-day action, and so relate to 'current,' as distinguished from exceptional, business. ”

“ It will be observed that while the companies in many respects are independent, they are also, in some respects, at least, dependent. The telegraph is a facility of the railroad company, and necessary to its operations, the telegraph company doing what the railroad company did for itself before the agreement, and, but for the agreement with the telegraph company, would have to do. The railroad company has an interest in the receipts of the other company, and is concerned in their amount and the maintenance and increase of the telegraph business. ”

“ The control of the telegraph company's instrumentalities and its offices and operators is in a 'competent joint superintendent of telegraph,' in whose appointment the railroad company has a voice, and whom it also may discharge. ”