Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-25
The Telephone War.

their Instruments and the enforcement of new
regulations, led 70 the cali for meeting at
Lincoln Hall yesterday afternoon Of those
using the Instruments to protest against the
action OF the company. The call brought
together az II O'Clock p. N. large number OF
representative business men and professional
men or the District. On the platform was a
large placard Inscribed 'rS25 per year or no tee-
phone
THOSE PRESENT
were W. ". Gait, 6. II. B. White. c. T. Peck e.
q. Wheeler, IL. A. Clark. E. X. johnson, Dr. Il.
T. Sewers, Edwards & Barnard. q. N. Oyster,
+. p. May. DR.: r. S. l. Walsh. w. S. Thompson,
Perry, =. w. Pratt. ". c. O'Meara. W. II. Ten
ney, W. II. CIagett j. A. Baker, J. W. Radcliffe,
l. A; Delwig. John Sherman, J. s. Swormstedt,
wilson, G. w. Knox, NJ. Ashford, Thomas Rus
sell, John keyworth, r. EmmonS. E. S. Hutch
inson, James Harrisburg, Thomas Downing,
Thomas II. Galian, j. b. Sayille, General Z. w.
WHIT, Wnltaker j. p Willett. J; c: Parker. Franklin
Hives, Dorsey Clagets, G. T. Keen, John l..
Miller, w. ID. Wyvill, w K. Speage. Thomas
Geary, DR.. W; 7. Young. J. ii. Crane, j. W:
Bros, J. G. Ergooo. &. L. BlacSIord, i. W.
Saith, J. G. Judd, Frank Hume, w. j. Stephen
son, q. w. Holmes, II. q. TowlGa, j. y. KenGal,
Z. Fadeley, j. b. Hill, $. i. Hamill. Dr.. j. r.
Blake, Wheatiey Bros. James X Cleary, c. NJ.
Bell. L. C. DuncansOD, l.. g. Hine, J. b. Adams
IT, W. cochran, }. w. Boteler. A. r. Perry, W.
:. Hoge, Gora.io Browning. a. Biedler, ". D.
Wood +. f. Schafer, g. +. Kennedy, ElDhonz
Novngs. Nj. Platter, A. Buckley, F. 81. Draney,
and others.
The meeting was called 10 order by Mr.. W. Il.
Clagetf, and on motion of Mr.. j. p. W!l.ett NJ
l. q. Hine was called to the chair. Mr. f. ".
Iratt. on motion OF MI. j. g Judd was chosen
secretary. MI. W. II. Claget5 being GATED on
TO explain the object Of the meeting said they
an acknoWledged that the telephone was a
erously supported Those who had invested
their money In the company controlling this
instrument had received large profits, but they
We're We're, not satisfied. and propose to impose such
regulations and exact such terms that business
men cannot and Will not submit to them. They
had done without the instrument before aud
will do without 1t now. [Appiausel II would
order the instruments taken away and their
wires from your houses, but TO accomplish any
thing all should unite and act Immediately.
PROPOSITIONS
Dr.. W. p. Young moved that committee be
appointed on organization.
MI. Joseph Gawler suggested that they should
Gene 10 an understanding as to what price
more.
Mr.. Judd offered resolution that 'they Will
pay $40 per year for The telephone and no
more" and that committee OF I'VE be aD-
pointed 10 consider The matter
MI Z. +. Peek said that the complaint was
that The company had raised the rates without
con consulting the subscribers, and suggested that
the meeting should not do that or which they
complain. The company would have the adj
vantage In treating with the individual srD-
ScTltera; but II committee spoke for tour nun.
dted subscribers their voice would DE respected.
lie suggested that such q committee be ap-
pointed. anc he believed IL such committee
waited Oh the management they would be able
10 obtain 5000 terms.
Mr.. judd said that what Mr.. PECK suggested
be proposed should be carried out under mis-
resolution. The company should be made 10
to en na5 ne pSWSPe y, W not submit 10
Is Ole gas company here, but by the eternal we
vii: nave another.
MI. Thomas L. Hume was opposed to any
committee Being appointed and expressed the
0e!ief that the company stood in It's own light,
Tor IL would pay better to reduce the price to
go instead OF increasing 1t. The government
nad telephone system IN operatiOn-abOut 500
lLstrEinents-and he understood that tue pat
entee would De glad TO put them Up az So for
each instrument.
Colonel BIackford said that this MAS the
Eccart Instrument
Mi. Judd withdrew his resolution, and Me-.
Young Insisted on his motion to appoint y com.
mlttee on organization.
Nf. ". Il. fenney remarked that monopoles
act as units, and ii Individuals would 50 ucJ
this company could be put down.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
Inc motion TO appoint a committee offered by
Dr. Young was adopted and Messrs. !. \. Earer
W. j. stephenson, Thomas l.. Hume j. s. Ed
wards, j. L. Barbour. j. w. B0teler. c. G. Dun
cenSon, W. Nj. Gait and j. A. Sayille were an
pointed, and The chairman Of the meeting was
added.
MI. Baker called attention to the new c,ds
proposed 10 tax This company but $50 per year
and Incidentally suggested tnaI In tne code
we're some other Ilatters whtcn should oe
looked Into. lie had never seen such a meet
Ing CT business men as this, and IL might De wei
TO consider some OF The Obja;;t ION, ui, pr,viS
Ions OF the code-the inQuislloriai persona: Jav
sc.
MF. Frank Hume was elected vice president
aOd tie committee retired.
Mr.. EGcaFC was invited to explain his ta,a-
phone ara said he would be glad 10 pat It 10 a.
80 10 each subscriber; that the Var depart
iltnt had geo In Use.
IT WAS LXPL4INED
that II the Capital Telephone COMPANY carry
cat the terms OF the circular The cost e. sub
seribers uhe mum Der OF messages limitedl would
oe about - cents per message. while the com
pany would issue tickets emitting one 20 send a
message costing about cents.
Dr. w. +. Young suggested That SubScriber
would De required 10 keep a SlaTS0n BOX. the
key in the hands OF the manager OF the com
deem the bread and soda water tickets which
might find their way into the box. Laughter
Mr. K. K. Perry hoped that II the committees
did not report some action that those presant
would do as he had done when he received the
the company to take the ma
chine out at the end OF the time paid for and ~.
move the wires nom his house
MI John sherman suggested that those pres
ent pledge themselves To abide by the action of
the meeting. and that the roll BE- called for tnai
answ erS; calT1ed-S0 to 50.
Nj. 6. II. B. White said that he should decline
10 vote until he knew on what he Was voting.
Mr.. Cochran remarked that, Tor want OF time,
'hey could 10 nothing to-night- To consider |
his subject as II Should be considered viii take
hours.
DIR. W. P. Young moved that when the meet.
Ifg adjourn 1t be Till Tomorrow evening.
Noices.-Can We get the hall?
Mir. j. s. SwormsteGt--l VII tender the use Of
Iaimaage hall free OF charge whenever the |
meeting desires 1t. lipplatise.l
MI. Crane offered resolution: THAT We, the !
SUBSCRIBERS TO the National Capital Telephone !
company. view with surprise and Indignation |
lhe Efforts being made by said company TO in /
crease the rateS for sending messages over rs |
wires. and we refuse 10 accede 10 It's demands,
believing that, instead OF an increase OF rates |
lhey should De reduced 10 not more than $50 to |
each subscriber, which Suu we are satisfied |
fiji pay said company. II economically man
aged, a dividend OF not less tan ten per cent |
On It's investment"
RESOLUTIONS AnoPTED.
PENDING action, the committee returned and |
reported resolutions: THAT the Officers OF this |
meeting consist Of a president, vice president.
treasurer. and al executive commit
Lee or seven, TO take charge OF the interests OF
The SUBSCRIBERS TO the telephone, and TO report |
at future meeting what action ts
best for the interest Of the patrons OF
The telephone: that this meeting IN. |
alYidualiy and collectively, pledge themselves
10 unite IL q firm refusal 10 pay The prices for !
telephones demanded by the National Te!e-
phone Company. and that we will unite In !
ordering The telephones out OF our premises
and wires from our buildings and lots Ii the |