The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-20
TURN TO INDIANAPOLIS
STATE TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION
GIVES CITIZENS ADVICE.
An Independent Exchange Would
Bring business Here from
over the State.

The third annual meeting Of the Indiana
Mutual Telephone Association was held in
the clubrooms of the Bates House yes
terday. The association has membership OF
forty different exchanges in the State. and
of these thirty-fve were represented. The
meeting was an enthusiastic one and indie
alive of the growing strength of the only
competitor which the Bell telephone mo-
nopoly has to fear. Reports from all por-
lions of the State were made, showing a
very gratifying increase in the number OF
independent exchanges and the number OF
phones in use But the most important
progress reported was that relating TO the
long distance service. Thousands of miles
of wire were placed during the year, and
towns have been connected all over the
State. 1t is only question of time, say the
members of the association, when the mu-
tual home companies will have as extern
sive long-distance service as the Bell or
Central Union Company. 1t is also stated
that as soon as all doubts as to the tele-
phone litigation are settled the Western
Union Company will take hand in oppose
ton to the Bell people. That company al
ready has copper metallic connection be-
tween Chicago and New York, and
only awaits the decision of the courts on
the transmitter infringement cases to carry
telephone messages over the line.
A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
The association represents large num-
Der of independent companies who are
bound together for self-protection. There
is also a national association uniting the
state associations Besides having for their
purpose the protection of each of their
members in suits for infringement of pat
ent, the associations are also designed to
promote an ultimate union of the independ-
eEt companies into one great national cor
poration. The organization of such a COM
pany was discussed yesterday, the project
meeting much favor. but no steps towards
accomplishing the move were made. 1t is
probable, however, that the undertaking
will take definite shape in the not distant
future. The proposition that meets most
avor is the taking up of the stock of the
various companies and giving in exchange
stock to be issued by the general company.
In this way the ownership of the various
concerns would remain where it is now, and
the different exchanges would be more firm
ly knit together.
and Michigan are foremost in the number
of independent home companies. In the
three States first named there are 250 ex-
changes, with more than 100000 subscribers,
the capital invested being in the neighbour
hood of 100000 The capital invested in
Indiana companies alone Is rated at ST.
500 600 In the State of Michigan during the
last year a great number of exchanges
have been started and that State is now
counted as one of the most promising
fields for the development of the independent
telephone movement. One of the greatest OBJ
is the difficulty of obtaining foothold in
the larger cities. There are independent
exchanges in cities as large as Toledo and
Fort Wayne, but none in New York, Chi
cago, Indianapolis and other cities of the
first class. How to obtain foothold in
these places Is tasking the efforts OF the
association. Before the independent move
ment can become of telling force against
the Bel company the smaller CITIES must
THE INDIANAPOLIS RESOLUTION.
The subject of obtaining an entrance into
Indianapolis was fruitful theme in yes
terday's meeting and the discussion was
crystallized in the adoption of a resolution
that received unanimous approval. This
resolution was as follows:
Whereas, The independent telephone ex-
changes throughout the State of Indiana
have no telephone connection with the city
of Indiana polls. which fact retards the free
business intercourse between the citizens OF
the towns of the State and the capital city;
and
''Whcreas, A large percentage of the bust
ness which ought to be carried on within
the State is being sent to outside cities;
Whereas, The patrons OF our several ex-
changes are very DESTROYS of being placed
in speaking communication with the busi-
ness men of Indianapolis,
Therefore, This association recommends
that the citizens of indianapolis take
prompt action to install an independent
telephone exchange in the said city and
thereby secure for themselves their due por-
tion Of the trade and business of the State.
At present there are no infringement suits
pending against any OF the members or
the association. The members state that
they expect an ultimate decision against
the Bell company in the Boston suits now
pending regarding the transmitter. They
say that the recent decision of the Supreme
Court in the Berifner case did not auect
the main question involved in the contro-
versy, which is the validity of the Bell
patent issued for seventeen years in 1891.
The decision referred to. 1t is stated. was
only to the effect that the government, hav-
ing issued the patent. could not set up
claim of fraud on its own part IN doing so.
THE people are with us, said one or the
pendent exchanges have been established in
towns already served by the Bell company
the patrons have shown their preference to
companies. Even where the Bell COM
panies have put in phones free Of charge
the patrons have come 20 us and paid fer
their service
The association elected the following Of
ficers: President l.. Fl. Andrees, Lafayette;
tarv and treasurer. A. l.. Reynolds Craw-
fordsvilIe; assistant secretary w. III.
Ernst. Bludton. The executive committee
was made to consist Of f. II. Andrees. ]. u.
OF Crawfordsvslle, Ebert Shirts OF Nobles-
vile. C.. NJ Zion OF Lebanon and George
w. Beers Of Fort Wayne. Hugh Doughcr-
ty of Button. member OF the advisory
committee of tho national organization. and
w. j. Vesey OF Fort Wayne. secretary OF
that association, made report on the reln-
tionS of the state association with the ma
tionai body and the action of the latterf
IN several matters Was heartily Endorsed.