The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-05
A RIVAL IN THE FIELD.
Competition Is to Be Started
Against the Bell
Monopoly.
A. WAR: OF RATES PROMISED.
George Croker of This City and
Other Millionaires Are
Interested.

The keynote of competition has appar-
emily been struck in the telephone bust
ness, and if all statements in the matter
trolled the "hello" business for so many
years in the interests of the Bell company
is thing of the past.
A new company has been formed, and
according to all accounts it will cut wild e
swath in the field wherein it is interested.
The news of the formation of rival tele-
phone company came from Chicago, and
it was said that the company would be
backed by $160, 600 of capital. Among
those interested in it were mentioned the
Parrot company of New York, the Stand
ard Oil Company, John E. Searles, the
Pidsburys of Minnesota, James S. Clark
son of New York and George Croker of
this city,. The latter takes keen interest
in the proposed venture and is not back
ward IN announcing that he Is confident OF
the successful outcome of the business.
Although the new company has not ar
ranged definite details as yet in regard to
their capital stock and other matters, 1t Is
no secret that the proposition has been
under consideration for long time. All
that was being waited for was the termi-
nation Of the patent rights of the Bell COM
pany. : The new company has certain
patents of its own, which will be utilized
by them in connection with those formerly
controlled by the Bell company.
Taking the capital that is behind the
new company into consideration, there is
no doubt that there will be lively times in
the telephone business as soon as things
are started.
OF course, rates will 60 down first; they
viii be the essence OF the competitive war,
and the people who are inclined to be
'hello-ish" will reap the benefit.
"There is such a company and I am in
terested in it." said George Croker yes
terday. 81 became interested in it in the
fall of 1888. 1t is going to do business all
over the United States. When or where it
will commence operations [ cannot say.
1t is three months since / was in New
York in. consultation with other members,
and do not know what may have trans
pired since, as the base of operations is
there.
81 am one of the original thirteen incor-
porators of the company. Il is organized
on the same lines as the Bell Telephone
Company. 1t will sell instruments and
the right to use its patents to companies
organized in the different States and Terri
tories"
.'WiH the new company cut the present
rates ?' was asked.
"Decidedly:. We organized to do bust
ness, land rates'will be materially reduced,
as we intend to encourage the more gem
eral use Of the telephone by business peo-
pie as. we'll as in homes. This company is
organized: by financial men of the highest
standing in the country, and when they
are-ready to begin business they are going
to do it. They viii begin Just as soon as
they have all details in proper shape.
Work is. being delayed to give them the
opportunity to perfect some of their latest
patents. =.
when. they begin to operate on the Pa
eific Coast: San Francisco will undoubtedly
be the first place touched. as it offers the
largest field