The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-12-26
AFTER THE
TELEPHONES.
This is the Object Of the
American Independent
Telephone Company.

Zation of a third mammoth tele-
phone company for the purpose Of
competing with two companies al
ready in the field was officially
verified yesterday by Edward
Troth. of Philadelphia. who is to be
the chief executive of the new con-
Germ.
When Mr.. Troth was asked con-
cerning the affairs of the American
Independent Telephone Co., which
on Friday was granted a charter
in Dover, he stated that though he
perfered not to discuss the details
of the organization of the company
or to enlarge upon its definite plans
he still saw no reason why the fact
that the members of the organiza-
tion had decided to pick up the
gauntlet thrown down by COM
panies already in existence should.
be withheld.
"rhe American Independent
Telephone Company remarked
the speaker, in describing the new
organization, ''has paid up capi-
tai of 100000, with power to ac-
quire telephone and other property
to the extent Of $4,000, 900. The
charter permits the new company
to do a general telephone business
and also contains carefully drawn
up provision authorizing it to take
over the stock of other telephone
companies and to operate lines in
all parts Of the country ...
In answer to a question concern.
ing the relations of the new COM
pany to the recently formed Tele-
phone, Telegraph and Gable Com
pany of America, Mr.. Troth stated
that his organization was in no way
connected with it. When asked if
it would be the object of the Inde-
pendent Company to fight the or
gar izations already in the field. as
had been reported he stated that
among the members of the new
company there was no direct ami
mostly felt toword either the Cable
Company or the Bell Telephone
Company. This would not however
he said, prevent the officers of the
independent organization from eX-
erting every effort in their power
to thoroughly establish and then
enlarge and increase tine business
of their company.
1T is the object of the Independ-
ent Telephone Company continu-
ed Mr.. Troth, Is organize local
companies, and with Wilmington,
as centre of operations. More
over in this connection | want to
say that the officers. stockholders
and directors in this company are
men who will at almost any cost
accomplish what they have set out
to do. They are men of experience,
integrity. business foresight, and
in many instances are possessed OF
great wealth. ...
'Some of the most prominent .peo-
pie in Philadelphia and Baltimore,
and, in fact. in this section of the
country. are behind the scheme.
They will not fail. Believing that
they are acting in the interests of
the users Of telephones generally,
they will work indefatigably toward
the accomplishment of their object,
to wit: the abffsorng of many local
companies for the purpose of giving
to their subscribers better service,
and, if possible, at decreased ex-
pense. However, this organization
will not, unless pushed, fight any
one. 1t will rather work in its own
interests and in the interests of its
subscribers.
Concerning his personal relation
to the new company. in response to
a question Mr.. Troth said that he
had been interestedin its organiza-
ton for several months past. but
that only recently had he consent
ed to accept the presidency. The
organization of the company and
the granting of its charter were
not, he said, the results of sudden
decision. They were rather the
outcome of months of investigation
and long days and nights of plan
ing on the part of some of the best
known and most competent and sue
cessful business men in the East
erd States.
Mr.. Troth declined at present to
mention the names of any of the
men interested other than that of
his associate. Edward II. Candy of
this city. Later he said. "when
the company is more thoroughly
organized, will be pleased TO talk
with you at length upon the sub
ject.''
When do You expect to begin ac-
tive operations?' was the last
question asked Mr. Troth.
1--WE shall do so very shortly.
at the earliest opportunity was
his answer