Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-05-10
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Intricacy of the Telephone protecting
Immigrants-Rivera and Levee Improve
ments.
At the chamber of commerce yesterday Mr..
W. l.. Wilson, from the committee on general
business, submitted a report relative to the
telephone service. The managers had explain
ed many difficulties not generally known to
the public. The elements, moving buildings,
workmen on buildings, and a variety OF things
disarrange communications. In relation to
charges for the service the report says:
cit was ascertained that the service was
actually cheaper here than in almost any other
city, Omaha, we think, being the only one
where the rates are the same as with US. AT
Milwaukee the minimum paid is $50, the max
imum $3.50, depending on distance. At CHI
cago the minimum is SIS, the maximum runs
as high as $3.50, all collected in advance. In st:
Louis the minimum is $50. In Washington
$25 per year for the instruments and S45 per
1000 connections. In Philadelphia $l2O Is
paid. In Boston $50 per year and sc additional
fer each connection. In all the above cases
payments strictly in advance are required, this,
it is said, being the only place upon the con.
tinent where collections are made monthly."
The complaints relative to lack of efficiency
in the service at the exchange at certain hours
in the day, the managers promised to remedy.
The report was accepted and adopted.
Mr.. Wilson, from the same committee, re-
ported relative TO the swlndling of immigrants
in passing through Chicago. The report in
cluded letters from the passenger agents OF
Northwestern and Milwaukee s. st. Paulroads,
already published, denying that immigrants
were swindled who came by their routes. The
committee think the complaints made have
been chiefly remedied, though there are still
some individual instances of swindling per
petrated both here and in Chicago, and this
publicity will have. good effect. The report
was adopted.
Mr.. McClung, from the river improvement
committee, reported in favor of sending dele
g..tes to the proposed Hennepin canal conven-
ton at Davenport, Iowa, not for the purpose
of committing the chamber to
that scheme, but to look after
river interests and see that no action was taken
detrimental to the interests of the upper Mis-
sissippiI valley. ,Hei also read letters from
the St. Louis and New Orleans barge line
St. Paul. There being no barge
line on the upper river the
letters state that they cannot pro rate and
give through bills Of lading at presently
Negotiations are in progress between the
barge line and Commodore Davidson and
Capt. Reaney relative to extending the line
to st. Paul, and until this is concluded, moth
ing definite can be stated.
The chamber authorized the president to
appoint delegates.
Mr.. McClnng also read a letter from F. R
Delano stating that he had given great deal
of thought to the matter and believed the
West. ST. Paul levee necessity and entirely
practicable He wrote under the supposition
that Mr.. McClung had quoted him as opposed
to the levee. Mr. McClung disclaimed having
quoted him as either for or against.
Mr.. Gilman, from the committee on re-
organization, submitted a new list of by laws,
which twas ordered prlnted1 and laid over
one week. Adjourned.