The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-12
THE INTER STATE PROPOSES TO
INVADE THE WHOLE
COUNTRY.
SATISFIED WITH REASONABLE RATES
The interstate Was the Only Telephone Gem
pany to Fight Fer Reduction Of
Rates Before the Railroad
Commissioners.

Mr.. l.. A. Carr. president of the In
ter-State Telephone Company, was in
the city yesterday inattendance upon the
meeting Of the Board Of Directors of the
Durham and Northern Railroad.
Speaking of the future of the Inter
State Telephone Company, Mr.. Carr said
that it was hoped, very soon to cover the
entire South, from Baltimore South
ward) with a Southern Telephone SER
vice, very much like the Southern Ex-
press Company, covered the territory
embraced within the Southern States.
Department headquarters would he es-
tablishe6 i'm Baltimore, st. Louis, At
lanta, Little Rock, New Orleans, Hous-
ton, Texas. and perhaps elsewhere, but
the main office OF the company embrac-
ing the chief executive office, would be at
Durham.
The Interstate is very proud of the
success it has earned, and is entirely
satisfied with the rates established by
the Railroad Commission, and the ar
rangement covering the Southern States.
proposes to inaugurate system of rates.
on the basis of the rates established here
in North Carolina.
The Interstate is operating some L.
500 paying phones. maintaining no deal
head exchanges ct the expense of the
paying exth86ges. hence the investment
is payiae a "a tistactory return.
The ''Iater-State" was the only com
panE- OF all the independent telephone
companies that had the nerve to come
from under cover. and oppose the Great
American Bell Telephone system, before
tie Railroad Commission and at their
own expense make n contention for
moderate charges for telephone service.
and it is on this record, that the Inter
State" propose now to absorb the telc-
phone service of the Southern States,
after the manner of the Express com
pany.
Mr. Carr stated. that the 'Inter-
State" was Just now finishing a telephone
with 500 subscribers in Roam
ofe. Virginia. with the contracts all
signed up for ) years, that Atlanta, st.
Louis. Nashville and other points anH
iouS for the best telephone service. were
inviting, in fact. urging the Inter
State" to come into their communities.
offering the most liberal inducements
and long lived contracts. Steps were
now on foot and the work progressing
very favorably of combining all the in
dependent companies in this State and
Virginia, under the direction of the "In-
ter-State." and unless 'cOg slipped"
soon every tobacco market in Virginia
and North Carolina, would be connected
and the whole system connected with
Baltimore and Richmond Mr.. Carr
claims that Durham has the finest tele-
phone system in the world, and viii
agree to furnish free transportation
to a committee of 10-(5 ladies and :
gentlemen-for the ladies are interested
in good telephone service) and free en-
tertainment at Durham, to have a dele
cation of reputable citizens to 90 to Dur
ham and test the system there IL the
entire ten, do not pronounce the sys-
tenn the finest they ever saw. the 'In-
ter-State" will agree to furnish every
member of the delegation a fine fat
Thanksgiving turkey gratuitously. And
the Interstate" Mr.. Carr promises
will put on no frills, but give an exhibit
ton of the plain every day service which
the Bull City" enjoys every day. 1t is
the universal verdict of every one who
comes to Durham and has occasion to
use the telephone service to pronounce
it the very best, in every particular,
they ever saw.
Mr.. l.. A. Carr. Mr.. Geo. w. Watts
and Mr.. j. S. Carr are the principal
owners of the Interstate Telephone
Company which has exchanges Mt Dur
ham, Winston, Wilmington. Goldsboro.
and several places in Virginia and Mary
land.