In 1860 the U.S. Congress arranged among the telegraph companies a competition to create a national line. The winner was Western Union. Western Union offers one of the easiest ways for families and friends to send money and stay connected almost anywhere in the world. In 1935, Western Union has put into operation first intercity fax communication. The size of the commission fee for the transfer is charged according to the Western Union tariffs and depends on the amount of money sent. One of the common kinds of money transfer is a transfer via the international system of Western Union. In 1991, Western Union has sold some low-profit division of the company AT & T, GM Hughes Electronics, and to some others. In the same year the company changed its name to New Valley Corp.