The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-27
A GIGANTIC
ORGANIZATION.
Combination Of All Independent
Companies in America.
THE CONVENTION WAS HELD AT
DETROIT THE PAST wEEK-MILL.
IONS OF DOLLARS OF CAPITAL
REPRESENTED AT THIS MEET
ING-EvERY STATE IN THE
UNION WAS REPRESENTED.
OVER 1000 COMPANIES WERE
REPRESENTED.

The convention of the independent tel
ephone companies all over the United
States was held at Detroit, Mich, com.
mencing on Tuesday, the 221, and closing
Friday morning, the 25th.
The object Of the organization was to
unite the different independent compa-
mics in such II manner as TO be in Il con.
ditiOn to meet the Bell Telephone Com
pany III any litigation that might occur
from the recent decision in the Berliner
case, and also to bring about the long
distance service, or inter state and inter.
exchange connection, such as is now be.
ing operated by the American Telephone
and Telegraph Company, which is a child
of the American Bell Company, and also
to discuss the best means possible to
make the service of the independent com
panies par excellence.
The matter of over 1000 companies
were represented. Among their repre-
sentatives were some of the leading buni-
ness men of the country, and large fund
was subscribed to, which will be perpet-
uated by regular payments. to give them
sufficient money to carry their business
forward in an aggressive manner
The members Of the organization were
enthusiastic, and there was not one per
son but expressed himself of the belief
that the association was,more than able to
protect its front in all the assaults of the
Bell Company, and by the exhibits of the
different independent manufacturers who
were present, and who also organized an
organization OF the independent manu-
factnrers, were able to show that the an
paratus employed by the independents
companies was far ahead in superiority
to anything the American Bell Company
ever produced. The organization is made
up of business men. capitalists, electri.
clans, among thu latter many of them
pioneers of the Bell Company, men of
brains and knowledge who have built up
company which they are now prepared
to fight.
An executive committee was formed,
and composed of two members from each
State in the Union From this executive
board were selected seven gentlemen to
manage the affairs of this. organization
for the first..year. These Sc rem directors.
in an organization of this kind known as
an advisory board, are Judge c. R. Say
age, of Pennsylvania: Hon. H. Dough-
erty, of Indiana; S. G. Higgins, of Mich.
gan; Judge c. d. Crit ,hfield, of Ohio:
lhos. Marshal, of illinois,; j. C. Duncan,
OF Tennessee, and Edgar L. Miller, of
Maryland.
The association elected the following
OA'ANNtof an VI WHO'LL are Wcll KNOWN
throughout the States: President, Hon. J.
w. Thomas, Of Ohio; secretary. Judge
w. j. Vesey, of Indiana; treasurer, Col.
l.. "A. Carr, of North Carolina.
Much interest was manifested in De.
troit by the press, all of the great journals
of the country having representatives
there. Not only the electrical papers.
but the papers of Detroit, Cincinnati,
Chicago, Indianapolis and Toledo were
represented.
The association was highly entertained
by the mayor and the city council, and
also the local, telephone company of De-
troit.
While the main conference of the asso-
citation was made public, the numerous
committees were at work in private ses-
slons at the hotels. No such com bnation
has ever been formed.
The Bell Company in this deal, GER
tainly found foe worthy of it's steel nd
IL is believed by all that There can be no
other issue thar. tine wiping out of the
gigantic monopoly that has for the last
seventeen years punished the people of
the Union and the general public. 1t
means lower rates, better service and bet
terotreatment than they have ever received
at the hands of the Bell Company, ami
we trust that they will receive the sup
port of the people generally.
we desire to say that the MIR. Miller,
referred to ms one of the managers of this
organization, is the gentleman who is
general manager of the Interstate Com.
pany, and who has at present about COM
pleted a large exchange in this city. Mr..
Miller's work at this point stands as an
evidence of his efficiency as telephone
man.
Mr.. Carr, above referred to as the treas
urer ofsthe organization, is we'll known
throughout.the entire East being at the
head of the Durham Fertilizer Company.
He is also associat ed with the American
Tobacco Association and other large to-
bacco and cotton industries in the South
The other gentlemen above referred to
are equally prominent in their respective
localities. The Times wishes the new