The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-31
THEY ARE STILL TALKING.
Various Schemes for Furnishing Tele-
phone Service for the Legal Rate.
A Syndicate About To BE Formed to Lease
the Central Union Plant-Another
New Candidate in the Field.


purpose Of submitting to the Central Union
Telephone Company a proposition to lease the
plant In this city, ard operate it in compliance
with the law limiting the rental of in
struments to So a month. The matter has
not yet assumed definite shape, but the
preliminary steps have been taken by opening
negotiations with the representatives Of the
Central Union relative to the submitting of o
proposition. If the syndicate should succeed in
getting lease on the property, d guarantee
would be given the proprietary company against
loss, and an agreement to pay the required
royalty on all instruments leased from the
Bell company would be entered into. It
is quite improbable, however, that the talk
about the matter will result in anything, there
is some reason for believing that the Bell COM
pany is opposed to allowing any corporation to
operate its telephones for SO month, because it
would be likely to encourage the legislatures of
other States to enact laws similar to the one
in Indiana. Mr.. j. F. Wallick, one of the
evening by Journal reporter if there was any
probability of the plant being leased
"There has been no proposition submitted to
us yet he replied. ''There has been talk about
the matter for two weeks or more, but nobody
has come forward yet with a definite offer /
suppose that great deal will depend upon what
action Is taken by the Council"
Ifs the Central Uuion willing to lease its
piantr
There is some question as to whether or not
we can if we want to--if by doing So: we would
not surrender our franchise"
A conference was to have been held yesterday
afternoon between the Common Council
committee and the representatives of
the Central Union in relation to the
proposed ordinance compelling the company to
remove the poles and wires from the streets Of
the city, but the committee failed to appear at
the appointed place and time. In referring to
this ordinance during conversation last even
ing Superintendent Hockett, OF the Central
Union, said to Journal reporter, 1.-The mem
they would be causing themselves about
as much inconvenience as anyone by
ordering the immediate removal Of our poles
from the streets. Half Of the poles carry FIRE
department wires, and it would very seriously
interfere with the fre-alarm telegraph if we
should comply with such an order"
1.-THE work of removing the telephones of the
4'4 patrons whose contracts terminate toll
row will. suppose, be carried out according to
programmed
UNLESS something is done to prevent it," re-
piled Superintendent Hockett.
What could be done to prevent It'll"
I'VE may be enjoined by some one. Some Of
the patrons are threatening it, but hardly think
we will have any trouble"
ION what ground will an Injunction be askedl"
II suppose, if any such proceedings are insti
tuted, the court will be asked to restrain US
from disseminating service to one patron
there should be any such suit believe we can
get speedy hearing of it, and am quite sure
that the ruling of the court would be that we
cannot be compelled to continue service to any
patron after his contract has expired We are
prepared to meet that question.
1.-The work Of taking out the instruments of
those whose contracts terminate on
Wednesday" continued Mr.: Hockett,
will begin on Thursday morning. It
will be: more tedious than it was before,
because, besides taking out the instruments, all
wires will be removed, inside and outside, so that
there can be no occasion for complaint on that
point The same force that is regularly en-
ployed will do the work, and doubt if they can
get through with it in less than month"
'Will any additional number Of contracts be
terminated soonp'
None until the 30th day of June, when all
will EXPIRE
Mr. Safely, of New York, representing the
Brown telephone, has been at the Denison House
for several days, showing that instrument to all
who desire to look at it, his special interest being
placed, however, in members Of the Common
Council and Board of Aldermen. II am here"
said Mr. Safely, last evening. to Journal re-
Brown telephone into general use in Indiana.
own the entire State for the Brown If the
Council will give me charter will go to work
at once, and put up poles and string wires"
But the Cushman has got the start Of you,"
was suggested.
do you know" replied Mr. Safely, that
number of the members who voted for the Cush-
man thought they were voting for the Brownl
The Cushman man has no instrument here, and
as he too was stopping at the Denison, and
n IN thar of a nP1l ma had hot
ment am showing they jumped to the con-
cluslon that it was the telephone they had seen
and approved"
But, will you not be infringing upon the
rights of the Bell2" the reporter inquired
II don't consider that we infringe upon the
Bell in any shape or form. Browns patents are
as valid as Bell's-rnore so, because Bells are
now in question. The machinery of the Brown
is much simpler than that of the Bell No
ter how loud or how low you talk all the timbre
or tone qualities of the voice are transmitted
perfectly.
The reporter tested the Brown. The tone was
certainly clear and full
Mr.. Safely was asked If he could afford to
furnish service at the legal rate per month. if
given charter.
I'VE would comply with the law cheerfully-
would be glad to have an opportunity to do So
Quite number of councilmen and aldermen
have seen the instruments, and all have
expressed themselves as much pleased
show them what it is. II / am given
the privilege of the streets ard alleys will be
very glad to introduce the Brown. have no
royalty to pay. This telephone is mine for the
State of Indiana. 1t has been distinctly heard
over wire 7S5 miles long. You understand it
is magnetic telephone. 1t does not transmit
the voice geographically, as does the Bell IN
like the Bell it requires no batter attached to
it. No matter how cold. or hot, or dry, it is pos
tive in its results. We talked with it up on the
Allegheny mountains over more than sixty miles
of wire during thunderstorm without difficulty
talked over wire from Cedar Rapids, Ia, to
Albert Lea Mimi, the LIST of February, with
the thermometer at Cedar Rapids between 23o |
and 25o below zero, and $50 below zero at AL |
bert Lea. Every word was heard as distinctly
as you hear through this instrument tonight"
Where Is it in operation.f'
'.There has been organized in st. Louis
company with million dollars capital, and
company is now being organized in Louisville,