The record-union., 1899-12-28
THE TELEPHONE WAR FROM THE
USERS STANDPOINT.

There is a telephone war on In this
city. Sacramento is served by two tele-
phone companies. With the rivalry and
contention between them the Record
Union" has nothing to do. 1t is a pa
tron of both systems. 1t has studiously
avoided becoming involved in their is
sues. But when official action against
either one and for another company is
taken, which directly affects the con-
venience business and rights of the
users of telephones within the city, and
who are entitled to equal rights and
privileges with other citizens, the mat
ter becomes one of such public import
ance as to demand treatment.
The facts are simply these: The Sum-
set Telephone Company has lines serv-
ing locally 1888 telephone boxes, who
directly or indirectly pay taxes to main
tain the Police Department, the Fire
Department and all other municipal
offices and departments with which the
people do business, or which they have
the right to address or communicate
with by phone.
The Capital Telephone Company has
lines in the city serving locally 1,2oO
boxes, rented by citizens who are also
taxpayers Each company uses trans
mitter to each box, Of course. The Sum-
set Company pays a royalty upon the
use of this transmitter. The other COM
pany pays no royalty, claiming. or it
is claimed by the manufacturers who
furnish the instrument, that the patent
ment, whichever the case may be. or
both.
The patentee, however, claims that
his patent is still In force. This is
sue is before the courts, and while some
decisions have been made, final adjudl-
cation has not been reached. That, how
ever, cuts no figure in the local ques-
ton under consideration. 1t is the
right.o of capitalists who have organized
these two companies to invest their
money and promote these industries
and enterprises under franchises grant
ed by the municipality.
There Is no sentiment in business; 1t
Is promoted solely for the gain Of the
investors; it is used by consumers for
their necessities and convenience only,
and each individual will select the bus
mess house where he can be served
most to his satisfaction The tele-
nh t.
We're no phones In city departments.
the people, knowing their value and
protective character, would unani-
mously demand that both systems
lice and executive departments; not in
the interest of either system, but that
users of both might enjoy the advan-
tages Of such connection
The Capital Telephone Company
claimed before the city Board Of Trus-
tees on Tuesday night that the Sunset
Telephone Company is boycotting it by
inducing certain users to refuse the
Capital Company phones in their places
of business, and that this is gross in
Justice. and that the Trustees should,
In the interest of home investors re-
Duke 1t by refusing to use the Sunset
service. The Sunset Company, on its
own behalf, fatty and unequivocally de-
MED that it has practiced or will prac-
tice any such boycott; that it has made
any contracts binding any one to ex-
clude the Capital phones, or that it in
tends to do so. Here, then, is joinder
OF issue on question of fact, with which
users of telephones relating to public
offices have nothing to do.
The explanation of the issue Is given,
in brief, as follows: That the owner of
the patent on the transmitter, who
claims it is still in force, has had served
upon all users Of the phones on which
his royalty is not paid, notice that he
will hold them responsible in damages
If he wins, as he believes he will, in
the courts. Users of the Capital Tele-
phone Company instruments have been
notified by that company that it will
hold them harmless if they are sued
and mulcted in damages for the use
OF the disputed transmitter.
The Sunset Company, on it's behalf.
says that among the users of telephones
of all classes is the Southern Pacific
Company, which has something over a
thousand telephone boxes and a number
of phones and lines belonging to no
telephone company, but constructed by
the railroad company between its de-
partments and works and Offices; that
1t was served with notice by the pa
tentee referred to the same as others:
that 1t referred the question to its
lawyers, who reported that the COM
pany will be liable If final Judgment is
obtained by the patentee; that, there
upon, OF its own motion and without
suggestion by the Sunset Company. the
railroad company declined to take the
risk, since its large use of the tele-
phone would, in case of damages being
allowed. mulct it heavily, and hence
1t ordered the discontinuance In its de-
partments of all phones upon the
transmitter of which no royalty is paid:
that 1T thus closed down it's own private
lines and that the order affected the
Capital Telephone Company of this
city. 1t is assumed by the Sunset Conn
pany. from the action taken, that the
railroad company declined the guaran-