New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-22
TELEPHONES IN FRANCE.
THE GOVERNMENT TAKES POSSESSION OF
THE ENTIRE SYSTEM


tFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUNEl
Paris. September 7.
On Sunday last the Government took 1orclble
possession Of the telephone system throughout
France The Socete Generate DIES Telephones
protested against the seizure OF its property, Dnt
as the delegates appointed to take over the lines,
material and Offices on behalf of the Government
were accompanied by COmmissaries OF Ponce who
were authorized TO proceed militari manu- IN case
Of resistance, the officials of the company were
Obliged to weld. The action of the Government
in the matter originated in the theory that the
telephone system is too vast IA monopoly TO be
allowed 10 remain in the hands OF IA private
company of limited liability, and that like the
postal and telegraph system throughout Europe IT
should be run by the National Government for
tbe benefit of the community at large The
charter which the Societc Generate DIES Tele-
phones" obtained from the Minister Of Industry
and Commerce, in 1884 contains clause whereby
the Government is authorized to acquire, at any
time it deems INT, the rights, privileges and prop
cry OF the company, in return for the payment OF
an indemnify the amount of which is 10 be fixed
either by mutual agreement, or, IN case of dis
putc by experts. In June last tie Chamber OF
Deputies, in compliance With request on the
part of the Prime Minister, VI. Girard. voted a sum
of S2,O0OOOO for the purpose Of enabling the
Government TO acquire the telephone system and
a few DAYS later the Premier addressed Il letter to
the pre- sdent of the company, wherein lie notified
him that the charter would be withdrawn on
September l. At the same time NJ HaId re-
quested the SOcictc Generate dcs Telephones
10 declare the amount at which it estimated the
value of its lines and material. stating that. in
case Of any difference Of opinion on the subject
between the company and the Government, cN-
.a Tod arl,if an
the points at issue TO this communication the
management of the Societe Generate DIES Tcle-
phones" replied. refusing 10 give any information
as to the value of ITS material and conestiug the
right of the Government TO annul its charter.
Nothing further was done in the matter until
August l3 when W. JOuSselin. an electrica! eN-
pert was appointed by the Project of the Seine
TO obtain an inventory of the material of the
company and TO estimate ITS value. The manage
ment however refused either 10 furnish NJ Jous>e-
lin with an inventory, or to give him any facilities
for compiling one On August 81 the Prime Min
lister addressed further letter to the president of
the company, repeating the request contained in
his former communication, ana on receipt OF a
negative, and even discoureOe, reply, dispatched
Il final appeal 10 the management on August "a,
which was allowed 10 remain without aclSnowl-
edg1nent whatsoever. Under the circumstances
therefore, the Government felt that II had done
all that lay in its power 10 cone TO "a friendly
! understanding and accordingly issued orders 10
! the Department of Posts and Ielegraphs to seize
the property of the telephone company throughout
! France on the morning OF September /, AT the
same time sending instructions 10 the Preiect-
and Sub-Preiects Of the various Departments Ia
provide for armed force. in OF any resistance
! on the part OF the cOmpanys officials
The proceedings III connection with the seizure
passed of without any disturbance, the only arrest
made being that of the artist of comic paper who
was detected in the act of carcaturing the very
stout COmmis-ary of Police appointed 10 super
] intend the taking possession OF the telephone
offices on the Place de IOper, in this city. OF
course the SOciete Generate de~ Telephones j.
! loud and violent in It's dcnuncialiOns OF the a.
! ton Of the Government, which II describes a.
! beinS nothing less than a shameless robbery, and
| il has already commenced legal proceedings IN
! the matter with the object of securing not only
the cost value OF the material which IL owned, but
also heavy indemnify for the los OF 80 lucrative
| a monopoly. Ihfrc is little chance, however
! that its wishes in the matter will receive any
! satisfaction Meanwhile the telephone s'rvcC
! continues without single break or interruption
10 what extent the community at large viii hi
| benefited by the change viii Dc realized when
| add that NJ CoulOn, the energetic head of Tho
| Postal and Telegraph Departments, has already
| made arrangements for reducing the amount o
| The annual subscription from 81 % 10 SIS, while
| the cost of five minutes talk over the telephone
| wires here at Paris is TO be reduced from ter
] cents. its present price. 10 five cents.