Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-11-15
WEDNESDAY. NOV. Is. 1899
RURAL TELEPHONES.

ing will be watched with considerable
interest by the farmers in all parts of
the county. There is no reason why
9 farmhouse should not possess the
convenience of telephone connection
with the neighbors and with the
local marketplace, unless it be the ex-
pense OF erecting and maintaining the
lines. Cooperative companies where
the farmers themselves buy the ma
terials and only employ the skilled
labor in erecting the lines, have
proven very successful in the eastern
states, and the cost, while the price OF
material may have advanced some
what, need not exceed an amount
which even a person in limited cir
cumstances could feel justified in ex-
pending for the benefits he would re-
ceive. We reproduce here an article
from the Farm Journal, published last
January, which contains letter tell
ing of the experiences of some farmers
in the erection of a cooperative line,
as follows:
TELEPHONES FOR FARMERS.
We have had many calls for
practical means of extending the bene-
fits of the telephone to rural cOmmun-
tiles, and in our last November issue
called for the experiences OF those con-
nected with good system. In re-
spouse, Mr.. Irving D. Cook, one of
Our Folks, sends US the inter esting
letter that follows. The Farm Jour-
nal believes in multiplying similar
neighborhood telephones, and extend
ing them by central exchanges 10 viii
lagos all through the rural districts.
Let US hear from others on this SUBJ
ject. We want to spread the light.
Editor Farm Journal:
''Our Neighborhood Telephone has
now been in working order for more
than half a year, and is found to be
of such pleasurable convenience that
I am induced to give Farm Journal
readers brief description OF it's con.
ception, plan of construction, how 1t
is conducted, etc.
ut is known as the Rural Tele-
phone It's first conception was the
ICouAv W q AAAV PIOpOoCA AIOA AAy wv
dwelling to that of q married daughter
residing two miles away.
''Others becoming interested in the
project, a neighborhood telephone OF
q much larger scope was proposed
and discussed. Accordingly a meet
ing was called; farmers and others
who it was thought might be interested
were invited to attend this meeting.
1t was there proposed, and the plan
adopted, that a line be constructed to
beginning at the village of South By
Railroad, extending into the country,
passing through the village of Byron
on the West Shore Railroad, and ter
minating beyond at the farm house of
the present Supervisor of our county,
''Thirteen families were found anx.
iOus to become members OF this organ
ization, all being Changers and lead
ing farmers, with the exception of
three which included two of our most
prominent physicians.
A committee was appointed for Sc
curing the thirteen telephones needed,
which were to be of the latest and most
approved patterns; also another CON-
mittee to arrange for getting out the
required number of poles, etc. To
carry out such a plan, it was learned
that the cost to each member or fami-
~ would be about $40. 90, which would
cover the expense of the instruments,
wire, and the services of profession
al in assisting and experimenting the
work of putting the telephones in
place, stringing the wire, etc. The
work of furnishing and setting the
poles was to be provided for by each
member performing his share az near
as was practicable, but the result was
nearly everybody turned in and &C.
complished the work together. The
poles were of cedar, twenty-four feet
long, set four feet in the ground at a
distance of $50 feet apart. When the
work was completed, committee was
also appointed to formulate a code of
signals to designate and to be used in
Failing up the different members, in
Guiding an All Up signal to be used
in case of fire or other emergencies.
1T has thus far proved very salts
factory and of much benefit in many
ways. The fact that all the members
with three exceptions are farmers
and interested in Grange work, and in
purchasing many of their supplies of
fertilizers, coal, feeds and stock for
feeding purposes by the car load to be
divided, the use of the telephone be-
comes q seeming necessity.
st is also found, that in social
way it is gradually strengthening the
bonds of friendship and neighboring
kindness to an extent quite unex-
pected." IRVING D. Cook.
Genesee Co., N. Y.
Contrast the above with the exces-
sive membership fees of 1925 charged
by the big corporation telephone
sharks, who after they have collected
the above amount from each share
holder, still claim to own control
ling interest in the lines, and the ad-
vantages of cooperative lines where
the farmers themselves control their
own line may be seen at glance.
The Mamre enterprise will be an ex-
pertinent the success of which can
hardly be doubted, and the TRIBUNE
will endeavor TO obtain the facts re-
garding. the cost and the work Of erec-
ton and publish them for the benefit
OF its farmer readers in all parts of
the county. There is no good reason
why in q short time the county should
not be covered by q network of CO.
operative telephone systems, thus CIV