Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-110

§10 Equal Facilities to Connecting Lines; Discrimination in Rates

Title 47 › CHAPTER 1 — TELEGRAPHS › § 10

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

A telegraph company that accepted sections 1 to 6 and 8 before those sections were repealed has the right to connect a new line to the station or office of any railroad or telegraph company named in section 9 at the point where the lines meet. The owner of the other line must allow that connection so the companies can quickly and easily exchange messages. Railroad and telegraph companies named in section 9 must run their lines so they give the same access and service to everyone. They must receive, deliver, and swap business with connecting lines on fair, equal terms and not favor or discriminate against any person, company, or connecting line.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §10

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whenever any telegraph company which shall have accepted the provisions of sections 1 to 6 and 8 of this title, prior to the effective date of the repeal of such sections, shall extend its line to any station or office of a telegraph line belonging to any one of said railroad or telegraph companies, referred to in section 9 of this title, said telegraph company so extending its line shall have the right and said railroad or telegraph company shall allow the line of said telegraph company so extending its line to connect with the telegraph line of said railroad or telegraph company to which it is extended at the place where their lines may meet, for the prompt and convenient interchange of telegraph business between said companies; and such railroad and telegraph companies, referred to in section 9 of this title, shall so operate their respective telegraph lines as to afford equal facilities to all, without discrimination in favor of or against any person, company, or corporation whatever, and shall receive, deliver, and exchange business with connecting telegraph lines on equal terms, and affording equal facilities, and without discrimination for or against any one of such connecting lines; and such exchange of business shall be on terms just and equitable.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 1 to 6 and 8 of this title, referred to in text, were repealed by act July 16, 1947, ch. 256, § 1, 61 Stat. 327.

Amendments

1954—Act Sept. 3, 1954, amended section to make it clear that the rights and obligations of companies which accepted benefits under former sections 1 to 6 and 8 of this title, which have been repealed, continue irrespective of the repeal.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 10

Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110