Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-11-18
NOT READY TO ACT.
Moline's Committees Want Furth.
er Time on Telephone
Question.
CONFERENCE HELD IN ROCK ISLAND

Two Propositions From Promoters Dis
cussed at the Club Last Nighttime. Bills
"Rnocks" on = Competitor. Declaring He
Is Not LOYAL to Independent Cause-Cen-
trai Union Reduces Rates at Rockford.
Propositions from Bills & Workman
and G. V. Kathrens to build independ-
ent exchanges in Rock Island and Mo-
line were considered at a joint meet
ing last night at the Rock Island Club
of the committees representing the
four business mems organizations of
the twin-cities. Definite action was de-
ferred. the Moline gentlemen desiring
further instruction and authority
from their constituents before casting
final votes. The committee ad-
joarned to meet again next Tuesda V
night.
Aside from the committeeman there
were present at last evenings confer
ence Messrs. Bills and Workman, Mr.
Kathrens and A. l.. Waterbury, one
of the officers of the company Mr..
Kathrens represents, and Manager Rob-
erts, of the Central Unions local en-
change. Before going into executive
session the committee gave the tele-
phone representatives an opportunity
to be heard. An interesting argu-
ment developed between Mr.. Bills
and MIR. Kathrens. The former said
he had been away from Rock Island
for a few weeks, and he understood
that in the interim frequent attacks,
directed by the Central Union, had
been made upon the independent
movement, declaring it an absolute
failure. He said the idea of COM
mittee, chaperoned by a representa-
tive of the Central Union, m king a
tour of the country to inspect sub
scribers' exchanges, was ridiculous.
1t was not fair. he declared, because
it was only natural to expect that the
Central Union would keep the COM
mittee away from the towns where
the independent exchange was a sue
cess.
Sincerity Questioned.
Mr.. Bills here took occasion to
question the sincerity of at least one
of the capitalists backing Mr.. Kath-
rens, alleging him a traitor to the in
cause. Mr.. Bills cited in
stances where the gentleman referred
to had sold out to the Central Union,
and he said he had his hammer" out
for him, and he believed these COM
would be wise if they refused
to have anything to do with the firm
with which he is identified. Mr..
Kathrens denied the charge that his
company was not acting in earnest
here. He said the committees did
not have to take his word; he had
names and references and
will tn 81 70 NJ
his proposition.
Manager Roberts. in replying to an
to speak, said his company
was on the ground and was doing its
level best to give the people the best
service known to the art, and expected
to continue doing business at the OLD
stand.
The executive session of the COM
mittees lasted from 10 O'Clock until
midnight.
Lower Rates In Rockford.
The telephone war which has been
in Rockford for month as
result of the application for franchise
made by Bills & Workman will pro baby |
be settled by the offer of the Bell com
pany to the city council committee,
made yesterday, to reduce business !
rates from $42 to $50 per year and |
residences from $50 to $24. The !
franchise matter will come up before !
the council next Monday night. While |
most of the aldermen were opposed to |
having two companies in the field, a
would doubtless have been |
granted TO meet the demand for lower |
rates had not the reduction been made. |