Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-10-09
THE TELEPHONE TROUBLES.



There is lull in the telephone excite
ment locally, but orders for the removal
Of instruments continue to reach the com
pany. At present the number ordered out
is fifty-five with more likely to follow.
| The excitement keeps up in other places,
particularly in New Hampshire and Mas
sachusetts. In Manchester, n. H., the
feeling against the company is intense,
and there is talk that 300 of the 400 sub
scrbers will quit. More than 100 sub
scribers at Holyoke have pledged them
selves to order their instruments out
when the advance in rates goes into effect
next month. The agreement is being cir
culated Systematically, and all subscribers
will be given an opportunity to sign it.
In Westboro similar state of things pre-
walls, and so it goes all over the territory.
There have been no signs of u change of
purpose on the part of the company.
The trouble is wholly due to that outra-
geous and Rrasping monopoly, the Bell
company, AS they own more than half
the water of the New England company,
the fight is forced by them, and it is only
a sample of their methods in all their bust
ness relations The decision which was
rendered in Newark, n. j., recently shows
the Bell methods. The case will not only
serve as precedent for other sub com
panes whose contracts with the Bell
company expire in the near future, but it
also illustrates the grasping character of
the Bell monopoly. The American Bell
Telephone company authorized the Do
nestle Telephone company to operate in
Newark but subsequently subet a large
tract of territory, including Newark, to
the Metropolitan Telephone company.
When the contract of the Domestic com
pany expired application was made for re-
newal, which was refused, thus leaving
the plant of the Domestic company value
less upol. its hands. At this critical
stage of the game the Domestic com
pany took the initiative by asking an in
junction to prevent interference with its
business. Vice Chancellor Bird has
granted this petition and enjoins the
Metropolitan. Telephone and Telegraph
company and the New York and New
Jersey company from in any way inter
fering with the business of the Domestic
company, and compels the maintenance
OF communication between the Newark
district and other districts. 1t also enjoins
these companies from establishing an
other district telephone exchange.
The Boston Transcript says: The New
england Telephone directors have post
,uncd the consideration of the dividend
question till the monthly meeting of Oct.
Is, but it is understood that no dividend
an he paid this year, and only small
me hereafter unless the Bell Telephone
| umpany makes further concessions in
Qualities or valves dividends upon its
took. There will be 1872 600 of divi-
end drawing capital in New England
telephone after January |, 1856. The net
Hrnings above construction for the last
,iX months reported amounted to $4,000,
n at the rate of SlS4,0O0 per annum. De-
lucting $4,000 for annual taxes, there re-
mains but Sl44, 600 for annual division
among the stockholders, which amounts
to less than two per cent per annum upon
the dividend. drawing capital and the
misunderstanding capital increases by
$500, 900 every jan until all the stock
issued participates in dividends.
The Commercial Bulletin says: The
attempted increase in charges for tele-
phone service is made in the name OF
the New England TELEPHONE company
but it has been APPLY said that the Ameri
can Bell company is merely using the
New England company to pull the chest
nuts out of the fire, and will eat them
itself The telephone rates ought not tC
r to be raised for the benefit of a monopoly
which is declaring dividends at the rate
of "a per cent per annum. The reason
why those people who have honestly in
vested their money in the stock of the
!, New England Telephone company receive
: no dividends is because the Bell company
eXacts double tribute from the New Eng
! land company 1t compelled the latter
. organization 10 wafer llS SUCK III OlltI u
Z give controlling interest to the Amer
, can Bell company in payment for the New
!, England franchise, and it then taxes the
y New England company SlSS 900 per annun
p in royalties, for the very privilege for which
, it has already been paid in New England
= telephone stock If the American Bel
= company would waive all right to divi
: dends upon its own g., 1856 shares of stock
= in the New England Telephone company
only Sl67 100 per annum would be requlr
ed to pay per cent per annum on the
Al, 100 shares held by the general public
1t would not be impossible to earn TIM
without either raising rates for telephone
;. service or reducing the Bell company
!, plethoric royalties.
A statesman in Massachusetts says
u The managers of New England said at TIN
{ statehouse last winter that they would
y pay dividend in October. Now it is SAT-
u no dividend will be paid. Is it asking to-
c much that the men who put their none.
u into telephone properties should hav
+ some return The instruments cos
,, outright 1912, and bring the Bell com
" pany annually Sl4. Because that compan,
i holds so profitable patent shall stock
q holders get nothing Every October tn
y stock of New England is drenched wit
u S600,00 more water, and of course divi
e dend is hopeless. When a man takes
/, partner in his business he is willing tina
y the partner shall make a living out OF il
y but this idea of partnership APPARENT
= never enters the Bell company's mine
u All the profits must 90 to the concern tina
|. has 50 AZ invested in the instrument. \
, telephone company capitalized AS tn
5 New England has been by the America
Bell can ever pay.