The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-21
SUNSET TELEPHONE
WILL CUT RATES.
Reduction of the Western
Union Telegraph to
Be Met.
FIELD OF COMPETITION.
Many Important Towns on the
Coast to Be Bene-
flied.
THE LONG DISTANCE SERVICE.
How Conversation Between New York
and San Francisco Could Be
Established.
THE LONG DISTANCE SERVICE.

The field of reduction on this coast over
which the recently cut rates OF the
Western Union Telegraph Company ex-
tend. embraces many important stations
within the range of the Sunset Telephone
and Telegraph Company's service. 1t is
highly probable, in fact it is admitted,
that the Western Union reduction will be
followed by a scaling down of charges for
telephone service in the same area.
In replying to INQUIRIES on behalf of THE
CALL yesterday Louis Glass, manager of
the Sunset Company, remarked that the
Western Union and the telephone COM
pany did not enter into direct COMPETE
tion. The written message transmitted
over the wire was usually the announce
ment of definite proposition. The con-
versation conducted through the medium
of the telephone frequently related to
matters of negotiation.
As an example he said merchant of
San Francisco might call up Johnson of
Los Angeles and ascertain from the latter
If a carload of oranges of a certain grade
could be Immediately obtained and
shipped the same day. Johnson might
reply in the affirmative, ana the two
would thus close up the business transac-
ton in two minutes conversation. Lead
ing firms had Sunset wire running di-
rectIy to the Office, and experts in this
form of communication were employed.
Mr.. Glass called up Los Angeles to give
the reporter an object lesson. The long
distance did not perceptibly diminish the
distinctness of the conversation.
When Mr. Glass was asked if the tele-
phone company would meet the reduction
announced by the Western Union, he said
In all probability it would. He recognized
that reduction of rates increased the vol
ume of business. He said further:
ave have during the past two years ex-
pended 100000 on territorial extension
outside of cities and towns. Between this
City and San Jose we have fourteen pairs
of wires. We have two complete loops to
Los Angeles and four loops from Santa
Barbara to Los Angeles. The greater the
distance is the heavier the copper wire
must be. With copper wire of sufficient
weight direct conversation between
New York and San Francisco could be
maintained. 1t is now conducted directly
between Portland, Me-, and Minneapolis,
a distance of 1900 or 1900 miles"
The wire used between San Francisco
and Los Angeles weighs $40 pounds to the
mile. The poles, placed fifty to the mile,
cost about $40 each. The wire is worth
16L cents pound. The cost of setting
the poles, ETC., brings up the total cost of
construction per mile to $500. The life
of $40 pole is from ten to twelve wears.
In the telephone business the company
is not bound by the law of liability which
applies to the telegraph service. Usually
the persons conducting the conversation
know each other voice. WHAT'S said In the
conversation over the wire is known only
to the persons talking. When the parties
are connected the responsibility of the
telephone company ends.