The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-08-31
INTERVIEWED.
ASSIST. SUPT. CHERRY OF THE
CENTRAL UNION TElE-
PHONE CO., TALKS.

Heads / Win, Tails You Lose the Game
of the mountaineering Items
About the Telephone Business.
Assistant Superintendent Cherry of the
Central Union Telephone Company, was
introduced to the ENTERPRISE man the
other day and the conversation natural
ly turned upon matters relating to the
telephone business. Mr.. Cherry stated
that he was making his customary round
looking after the cOmpany's interests.
In response to an inquiry concerning
the effect of the recent decision Of the
Supreme Court confirming the Bell
Company's right to the Berliner patent,
Mr.. Cherry said: "Well, Central Union
stock has gone up eighteen points 1t is
selling now at So"
'1s the opposition movement as active
as it was?"
'By no means. A number of cOmpa-
MES have surrendered their franchises
and in several large cities have sus-
pended work indefinitely. 1t is only in
small towns that much work is being
done."
HAS not your company made mil
lions of dollars in the telephone busi-
ness"
"No, sir. The public cOnfound the
Central Union with the Bell Company.
They are the owners of the telephone
patents and we rents instruments of
them upon as favorable terms as we
can. The day Of large royalties is over,
however. We are charged but nOmin-
al sum and have reduced rents accord
ingly. fact about which the pro-
mOter is silent The fact that our stock
has been selling at 32 until recently
ought to settle the charge that we have
been rObbing our patrons.
"Quite vigorous opposition has de-
velOped here, what do you propose to do
about it?'
That reminds me Of an experience |
had in nearby town. Mr.. Blank, pro.
prietor of a gas plant, had the opposition
telephone bee in his bonnet. Ipaid him
visit and after introducing myself said:
understand you are about to go into
the telephone business"
"Yes, sir, Mr.. Cherry, l am. What
are you going to do about itY
"Just what you would il competing
gas plant was started here and rates
cut and your business demOralized. Now,
what would you dO?"
"Do! would fight them till HI
froze over and then scrap" with them
on the ice.
"'Is there any chance for an argu.
ment, Mr.. blankY
"'NO, sir. shall stay out of the tele-
phone business. ,"
1T appears to me, Mr.. Cherry, il yOuI
people have any patent rights that are
good for anything some active move
ought to be made on their part to pro
tect them. II looks to some like bluff. y
That is a matter which wholly eOR
Germs the American Bell Telephone Com
pany. But you must not forget thai
speed is not characteristic of Oul
courts. The Bell people have just re
ceived favorable decision in litiga
tiOn extending over two years. During
this time the opposition was necessaril!
left with free rein. The indications a
present are that the policy of the Good
year Rubber Co. aHd The National Casl
Register Co. will be adopted, The,
pay more attention TO the user Of in
fringing apparatus than to the deale
and maker. / understand that fOrme
Wellington dentist paid the GoOdyea
Rubber Company several hundred dol
lars damages"
"What is your opinion Of the oppOsi
tiOn movementp Does the public gail