Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-04
NEW TELEPHONE COMBINE.
Wbitney-widener-E Syndicate
behind IL.

(New York Press)
On the authority Of a member 1t is an
nounced that the Whitney Widener-El-
kins syn cate IS behind the scheme to
form a big telephone company 20 compete
with concerns that use the Bell patents.
Not only IS II contemplated to connect
Immediately by long-distance wires all
the principal points east Of the Missis
slppi river. but also to absorb the 2.3OO
independent companies now in that terri
tory, and further TO supply Independent
telephones where they do not now
exits.
That last and terse stipulation means
that in New York city, in every borough,
q fight for supremacy in the telephone
field will begin.
1t has begun already
Toward that end the promoters OF the
new scheme have been in daily confer
ence with the managers Of the Peo-
ple's Telephone Corporation. Of which
Darwin r. James is president And it Is
mora than probable that an agreement
will be reached.
NEW YORK SITUATION.
Recently permission was given to that
company 10 lay its wires I'm the electrical
conduits that are owned by the city.
But such privilege was not granted until
the delay In action on its application
became q subject for Mazets investisa-
ton.
The local situation yesterday was sum
married. as follows by persons In a posi-
don TO speak authoritatively;
1.-The new company TO be known rs the
Telephone. Telegraph and Gable Com
panv Of America, about has completed
plans for long-dstance lines. 1t has sut-
acient financial backing to employ to
advantage the rights acquired by the
Peoples Telephone Corporation and in
addition. electrical condults along the
line Of tie Metropolitan Street railway,
also controlled by Mr.. Whitney and his
friends. loom up as a possibility. That
all forces will unite including local and
iong-distance rights. is a business pro
position based Oh sound principles. such
p consolidation surely will be accom-
plished"
And it leaked out yesterday that the
conception OF this scheme already has
admitted one new member 10 the power
ful Whitney idener-Elkins syndicate.
His name is Maloney, one Martin, for
morly OF Philadelphia. There he was
isnown as one Of the big Four" Re
Gently he has come 10 this city, but not
before ne formed a combination Of the
helt. light. and power companies in the
quaker city.
NOT A NEW IDEA.
For two years Mr. Maloney has been
working on a scheme to consolidate the
independent telephones Of the country.
TIE has been busy getting options, out
lining contracts for copper wires and
peles and necessary apparatus.
such incidental needs have been pro-
vided for. and all that remains. now that
ho has the backing Of a syndicate, is 10
launch the enterprise. Steps will be
taken Immediately 10 form company
to carry out the project.
The directors proposed for the new
oonpanv include score OF the leading
.apitallsts and hnanclers Of the coun-
try. i. Pierpont M0rgan's name has
Seen mentioned among them, but as yet
This appears 10 be unauthorized.
IL is known. however, that william G.
Whitney. Of this city, and his associ-
otes I'm various large ventures. =. A. b.
Widener. william l.. Ehins, and Thomas
Dolan. all of Philadelphia, are interested
"a the project; as are also Colonel John
Jacob Astor Charles r. Flint, George
n. Baker. AMI T. Barber, G. T. Barney,
and several other prominent men of this
city. as well as former Governor Francis,
II Missouri: Samuel insult. OF Chicago;
William Hallstead. OF Scranton. Pa;
Felix Herring, of st. Louis; and Hugh
MCGOWAN, OF Kansas City.