The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-04
.ALetter From William
l.. Holmes. of the
Detroit Co.
Detroit Go. Defends Itself
Banker, Merchant and Manu-
faucturer Of Chicago.

called 20 an article published in the edi
torial columns of yo ur issue OF October
%, entitled "Look Before You Leap,
which is copied from paper called Ban
ker, Merchant and Manufacturer, OF Chi
cago.
1t will be interesting for you to learn
that an agent Of this paper came to me
with prepared article in favor OF our
company and against the Bell company,
which he wished to sell me for publica-
ton in his paper. refused to have any
thing to do with it. IA we are IN the bus
Iness OF extending good telephone service
at reasonable rates throughout the
State and do not believe in encouraging
Islander or blackmail. The agent OF this
paper then sold himself to the Bell CON-
pany, who evidently thought they saw
an opportunity OF Safeguarding sue
cessful competitor TO temporary bolster
themselves up in some remote sections of
the State where competition had not as
vet loosened their grasp on the throat of
the people,
It would hardly be expected that rep
utable newspaper, such az the Copper
Country Evening News, could be deceived
Into the publication OF 40 puerile and yet
so yenomous a paid advertisement OF
dying monopoly.
In order that you may appreciate the
wonderful success OF the Detroit Tee-
phone company notwithstanding the
sianderous and INSCRIPTIONS opposition
OF our opponents, | enclose herewith a
statement showing exactly the condition
of our company today. | also send you
IN another enclosure a copy OF the last
directory OF the Detroit Telephone CON-
pauy.
Our company is saving the people of
Detroit clone over 100000 annually
which formerly went principally in roy
alties to Boston and Chicago, to grease
one or more of the wheels of the Bell
Telephone company's machinery.
Notwithstanding the reasonable rates
which our company is charging for tele-
ohone service in Detroit, we are now
earning from the telephones actually in
service a sum sufficient to pay all our
running expenses including the interest
on our bonds and 10 per cent on our
stock
When the 500 phones which we have
vet to install, are in service, we will
show an earning power on our stock of
nearly il not quite 20 per cent per annum.
Though We have nearly 5000 three
year contracts, ne v contracts are being
taken at an average of fifteen to twenty
i've per day and it has become necessary
for Us TO order the construction of two
additional exchanges in Detroit in ad-
ditson to the two now in operation.
Everything that is here stated OF the
Detroit Telephone company is equally
true Of the New State Telephone com.
paoy to such gloriously successful con-
summation.
When we commenced the operation of
our plant, the Bell company had in
round numbers 4, 900 telephones in use,
stretes ranging from $72 to $3.50 per
annum Tor business phones and from
$50 to 1925 per annum for residence
phones. They have been forced to re-
duce their rates to $50 per year for bust
nees aBd $24 per year for residence in
order to keep any phones in service.
They are violating the law OF the State
10y giving free serv ce to important in
situations here who would not other wise
keep their phones. Notwithstanding
his they have today, according to their
avn showing, not more than 1900
phones in use.
Ii is because OF the high standing of
our paper and yourself, that | have
icemed It worth while to answer the
advertisement which you have copied
rom the irresponsible Chicago paper.
Yours truly,
DETROIT TELEPHONE CoMPANG,
William l.. Holmes, President.
The above letter was forwarded TO the
EDITOR at Chicago, who, before leaving
Aome, left Instructions to publish the
article complained Of, which had an.
peared in the Banker, Merchant and Man
Hfacturer of Chicago and which the editor
presumed by its title was representative
Of the interests after with 1. was named.
The editor feels awiuly bonored by
Mr., Holmes remarks, but that gentle
man probably was more after free
aotice OF his company than any interest
he felt for the editor of this paper, but
wishing TO be fair Mr.. Holmes letter is
published.
When the editor left home he had not
heard that a new local telephone CON-
pany was about to be organized and
consequently the publication OF the ar
1ticle could not in any way or shape be
attended to hurt them.
The woods Are FILLED.