The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-09-21
AN IMPORTANT COMBINE.
MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY TO
BUY THE BELL.
Papers of Consolidation Made Out--The
Old Rumor May lie More Than
Talk This Time.

Old Rumor May he More Than
Talk This Time.
/ For the past several years there have
been rumors of consolidation between
the two telephone companies operating
| lines in Honolulu and on this island.
1t is an annual transaction, yet nothing
has come of it. Now, however, there
seems to be more solid movement to
this end on foot and the consolidation
may be effected.
/ The Bell Telephone Company is cap.
/ italiZed at $50, 600 and is the older of the
two. having begun operations in Octo-
Der, 1880. Its officers are: Godfrey
Brown, president and treasurer; Cecil
Brown, vice.president; Jacob Brown,
secretary; II. Won Holt, auditor; and
John Cassidy, general superintendent.
Mr.. James Campbell owns a controlling
interest in the company, and Cecil
Brown is agent for HIM The Bell Com
pany operatas 565 telephones.
The Mutual Telephone Company was
organized in May, 1888, and now has
$40, 900 worth of stock. Its officers are:
II. A. Widemann, president; c. r.
Bishop, vice president; c. o. Berger
secretary and treasurer; w. f. Allen,
auditor; apd /. a. August, general
superintendent. The Mutual Company
has 70l telephones in operation.
The proposition to consolidate comes
from the largest stockholders Of both
companies, They have controlling
interest and are able to force the hand
of small shareholders who may oppose
the movement. Indeed, some of the
larger holders OF telephone stock in
Honolulu have shares in both compa-
mics, and these, it is understood, are all
in favor OF the consolidation.
The Mutual company will hold a
meeting at o'clock Monday afternoon,
called for the purpose OF completing
arrangements.
An agreement has been reached be-
tween the principals of the two compa-
mics, which only unexpected objections
brought up in meetings OF stockholders
can now change. The Mutual will buy
the Bell.
The agreement; the papers embodying
which are already made out and have
met the approval OF the officers OF both
companies, contains two principal feat
ures. They are, first, that the Bell
company is to receive $50, 900 in Mutual
stock for their entire property; and,
second, that the Mutual stock is to be
increased to $4,000.
A casual glance at the situation would
make it appear that some difficulty is to
be encountered in the fact the the Presi-
dent, vce-President, and Secretary OF
the Mutual Company are now out OF
the country. 1t is given out, however,
that Mr.. Widemann, the President, prior
to his departure for the East few
weeks ago, consented to the arrange.
ment aforementioned, and that the
others were never against the idea of
reasonable contract of consolidation.
| Therefore, considering the fact that
the bulk of the stock of both companies
is owned by parties who favor console
dalton, it is believed that the combina-
ton will be made. Monday afternoon s
meeting OF the Mutual stockholders will
doubtless endorse the agreement pre-
pared, which will practically consum-
mate matters, inasmuch as the Bell
company is, almost TO man, in favor
OF consolidation.
1t i estimated that the saving to the
city Of Honolulu by the consolidation
will amount to $40 coo a year.
The cost of keeping one telephone will
be increased 80 cents per month, which
will be but little more than the present
cost OF one, and will do away with the
expense and bother OF two. At the
same time, the dividends to stock.
holders can be no less than before, a'
the expense OF an entire system is OBJ
liberated.
The number Of telephones now ope'
rated by the Mutual company will prob
ably increase TO 900. In houses wher,
both telephones are used the Bell vii
be removed. Where the Mutual is useC
no change will take place, and where
Bell alone is found it will simply b'
changed to the other system.
OF course some people will discon
tinue their telephones on account OF thu
advance of 80 cents per month in price
otherswill get fighting mad about the poo
service OF the Mutual when the bushes
of both is thrown into one Office am
will spitefuliy order their instrument
taken out. But on the whole there vii
be but little, ii any, reduction in tn
efficiency of the telephone service i
Honolulu, or the magnitude OF the sy'
TEN, which has been the pride OF tn
country for the past eleven years.
Miss Patty Married.
A. w. Van Valkenburg and Mis-
NJ annie Patty were quietly married q
the residence of the brides parents at