The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-11
The Independent Telephone Move
ment.

The development OF the Indepen-
dent Telephone movement has been
one of the surprises of the century,
even to those who have been its most
ardent advocates. 1t can be said that
the commercial world has rarely if
ever, witnessed a similar expansion of
an industry in such short time as
that which marked the introduction Of
the telephone since the field was OPEN
ed to independent companies by the
expiration of the fundamental Bell
patents.
The people of the country are just
awakening to the realization of the
fact, it would seem, that what was
for many years a luxury within the
means Of comparatively few, is today
not only a possibility but a necessity,
hence the popularity of the indepen-
dwent movement with the mass of the
people,
The Lackawanna Telephone company
proposes to build an exchange in
Scranton that will be second to none
in the United States. They will put
in the latest improved long distance
telephones on copper wire metallic cir
cults and will inaugurate a system of
quick service with prompt attention
and accommodation to their customers.
Their rates are about one-half the
price ever charged for telephone SER
vice in this section,
Their prices are $500 month for
residence phones and $500 per month
for business 'phores with ) per cent.
! discount for prompt payment and as
| a special offer 10 increase their resi-
| denCe list they will fun nish business
! phone and a residence phone to the
| same party for $4,000 per year for both
| including unlimited calls both incom-
| ing and outgoing, and as an earnest
! that the LaCkawana Telephone
| company does not intend to increase
! their rates at some future time, ii will
! make II contract at the present tiuc
! with any subscriber for five years scr
! vice at the rates named.
Arrangements are now being made
! whereby the LackaWanna company es-
! pect To furnish THEN subscribers with
/ free seIV:c" between Scranton and
/ Wilkes Barre. They will also have
connections with all the towns up and
down the valley between Carhordale
| and Wilkes Barre. They will put in
! the latest and most modern switch
! boards and apparatus. and make il
! possible to give each subscriber direct
| connection with the eXchanGg. When
your bell rings you viii know that the
| call is for you only and when YOU
ring the bell you will he Immediately
| connected with the party to whom
| you wish 10 talk, with no one 10 over
hear your conversation. The Lacka-
wanna Telephone company has now
II i'm the rcighrorhood of on IN ,Gsund
/ subscribers an! they hope 70 have the
exchange in operation not later than
September 81, 1895.
In a short time they will have COM
nections whereby they can give long
distance service with New York, Phil
adelphia, Chicago and all the leading
cities. In the interim, while ninety pei
cent. Of the telephOning is done locally
their subscribers can get this service
by using a long distance pay station
and paying the price which must be
paid even with the long distance phone
in their office.
The officers and directors Of The
Lackawanna Telephone company are
Conrad Schroeder, president; VIM. l.
Connell, vice-presdent; George S
Horn secretary and treasurer, anC
Thomas J, Foster C. C. Boland, Ed
mund j. Robinson.
Solicitors are now canvassing The
city for subscribers, and anyone de
string n telephone or further informa
tion will receive a courteous call by
mailing letter or postal card to S. r
Weyland, manager, POS Connell build
ing, Scranton Pa %