The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-11
THE TELEPHONE FRANCHISE
The Applicants for the Central Unions
Privileges All Given a Hearing.
The Merits of the Various Kinds of Instru-
ments-A Proposition from q Syndicate
Of Citizens Submitted to Council.
THE TELEPHONE CONFERENCE.
Alter Hearing the Different Propositions
the ConnciI Postpones Definite Action.

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Alter Hearing the Different Propositions,
the Council Postpones Definite Action.
The Judiciary committee Of the City Council
met yesterday in the Council chamber to hear
propositions from the several telephone COM
panies DESTROYS of succeeding to the franchise
Withdrawn from the Central Union company, as
well as to hear whatever citizens Eight have to
suggest in the matter Of granting a charter to
some new company. Mayor Denny was invited
to take the chair, and cid so. He explained the
purpose for which the meeting had been called,
and hoped that this important matter would be
acted upon adyisedly and that no mistakes " ,,,a
be made.
representing the Interstate tel
-ae, George NJ. Hopkins's patent, said he had
ID yet no telephone to show; that a new instru-
ment was being made in New York which would
be here in a few days. The Interstate has an
exchange established at Grand Rapids. Mich,
In successful and satisfactory operation. When
his Instruments come he proposes to make .
test line from here to Chicago. The Interstate
Is q long-distance telephone and will carry sound
ever q line ], $50 miles long.
A telegram from VIM. Fleming, of Fit. Wayne,
Ok. lF0a6QreT Oh oUdVo, u CdIucS LIZ lefCCy uAeo
of State, was read regarding the Turnbull tele-
phone, in which Mr.. Fleming asked the Council
to postpone action until he could exhibit the
Turnbuli instrument. A private letter from w.
J. Comley, Chicago, regarding the same instru-
ment was read, also asking postponement OF
anal action until Wednesday next. at which time
she Turnbull would give an exhibition Of its
qualities on a line from this city to New York.
D. G. Boley, representing the Cushman tele-
phone, read a long printed communication ad-
dressed to the Board Of Alder
men and City Council, setting forth
the advantages of the proposition embraced
In the Cushman Telephone and Service line
Company. He showed that Cushman claims
priority to Bell, II having discovered the tele-
phone in 1851, of which fact full and satisfactory
evidence is offered. He suggested that a com
pensation for The privileges granted by the mu-
nic:pal government be secured to the city by a
yearly or semi-yearly assessment on the gross
receipts of the company. and in conclusion stated
that the Northumberland company is fully
possessed of the right to use as good a telephone
as the best, and one that is complete in all re-
spects, the transmitters and various other parts
being covered by letters-patent.
Alderman Pritchard-Has your company ever
had any suits with the Bell?
Mr.. Boiey-We have not, and don't expect to
have.
Judge Martindale-I understand that the Cush-
man expects to escape the Bell patents on the
claim of priority Of invention. There was the
Drswbaugh claim of priority, and nifty persons
who testified to his having used his instrument
before the Bell The Bell Injunction against
Drawbangh was held good. We don't want to
fight anybody's claim here unless we have some
thing to fight upon.
Mr. Boley-We don't expect you to fight for
US, or fight at all.
Mr.. Leach here explained that the Interstate
was a 'make-and-b break" telephone, and different
from any other patent. The company has q
capital stock of $500, 600, and no injunctions or
suits of any kind have ever been begun against
1t by any other telephone company.
Mr.. Hockett. of the Central Union Telephone
Company, said he understood the Interstate op-
Grated under George M. Hopkins's patent, and
IL so, he would undertake to show that an in
junction had been issued against the Hopkins
patent TO this Mr.. Leach replied that no in
junction had been issued against the latest pat
pnt under which the Interstate was operating.
Mr.. Safely said he represented the Brown tele-
phone, of which he owned the patents for Indi-
ana. In point of fact, biz instrument was not a
telephone at all. but a magneto-phone. and needs
no battery, but operates itself with one wire
connecting with the earth. He read . long
statement giving an account of the method by
which the Brown magneto-phone operates.
with such terms as ''homologous area"
OUDAo VOkbakO SuAAOhtC "A hCAAs
'diaphragmio vibrations" ''synchronous forces"
etc, playing hideand-seek among the lines.
He claimed that the sound of the human voice
could be carried clearly and distinctly by his
instrument a distance of 780 miles, or further,
and as there was no rent or royalty attached to
the use of it, he was satisfied that he could give
the people as good telephone service as any in
strument in the world.
Councilman Rooker-Is your telephone in use
anywhere; have you any exchangef
Mr.. Safely-Our second patent was issued a
week ago Friday. Brown has seventeen other
applications, embracing the magnero-ield. The
frst patent was issued in August, and nothing
was to be done until our second patent was is
sued. A company is being formed in st. Louis
with a capital of 81, 000.0 900, and also one in
Louisville. For myself l have organized no COM
pany.
we're to put up a line here and should you be en-
Joined to turn over the lines and poles to the
city, with the understanding that after you have
made the fight we could turn them back to you2
Mr.. Safely-With the greatest pleasure. I
would defend the suit and beat them.
Alderman Prier-Would you give a bond, If
granted the right to put up finest
MIR. Safely would give q reasonable bond.
I am not here for fun, but for business. The
Bell telephone people have never brought any
suit against US. We have had no controversy in
any court.
Judge Martindale-You don't claim that you
ean operate your telephone if the fifth claim Of
Bells patent is maintained.
Mr.. Safely-We claim we can go ahead. We
are not infringing upon Bells fifth or undulatory
claim.
Mr.. Vance, Of Louisville, was the next tele-
phone mar to speak. He said his business con-
hection had first been with the Overland tele-
phone. They had put up exchanges fine one
at Lexington. Ky. They had found that they
could successfully compete with the Bell, and
that the furnishing of service was a profitable
business. 1t simply remained for the citizens
of Indianapolis to have q telephone company of
their own. The company was enjoined at Lex
ington by the Bell company.
II was interested, " said the speaker, 'in the
McDonough telephone, and finally came across
one which, for simplicity and service. excels any
have met It is known as the Wallace. 1t is
In operation in Toronto, Canada. It's stockhold-
ers are bankers, importers. insurance
Of capital. If the Bell people have a perfect