The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-14
TALKED OVER LONG WIRES.
Formal Opening of Long Distance
Telephone Lines.

Formal Opening of Long Distance
Telephone Lines.
The opening of the long-dstance lines
of the Southern Bell Telephone and Tele-
graph Company, in connection with the
American Telephone and Telegraph Com
pany, took place in the parlors of the De
Soto yesterday afternoon and last night
programme had been prepared which
included, among other things, CONVERSE
tons between prominent Savannahians
and public men in other parts of the coun-
try, but only a few of these conversa-
tons actually took place.
The first conversation on the programme
was between Mayor Herman Myers. who
is now in New York, and Acting Mayor
T1edeman. Shortly after o. clock these
gentlemen called up each other and passed
the compliments of the day. The Mayor
said that Savannah was to be congratulate
ed upon having secured so desirable
a thing as the long distance line, and
that he thought it would be found to be of
the greatest service from a commercial
point of view, as well as having other ad-
Vantages. He asked after the state of the
weather in Savannah, and was surprised
TO hear that 1t was unusually balmy in
New York, he said he had found it quite
cold. Mr.. Tiedeman asked if there was
any special message he wished to deliver
or If there was any Instructions that he
cared to give, but being assured that
things municipal were running smoothly
the Mayor said that he had nothing to
say. While talking the Mayor was in the
Dey street Office in New York
The ladies were largely in evidence dur
ing the afternoon, and probably a hundred
took advantage of the company's offer to
call up their friends in other cities, and
many conversations were carried on, ex-
tending all the way from New York south
ward to Jacksonville, though Atlanta, Au-
gusta and Charleston were most in de-
mand. During the intermissions between
talks, the audience was entertained by
music, songs being sung at the Atlanta end
of the wire and being distinctly heard
here. In fact, in this regard the service
was excellent and the Mayor in New
York and Mr.. Mason in Washington could
be heard as plainly as though they had
been in the next room.
Refreshments were served in the gentle
mems parlor with unlimited hospitality,
and as the crowded room was rather warm
the refreshing ices and excellent punch
were greatly appreciated.
After his talk with the Mayor. Mr.. Tied
eman was called up by a representative
of the New York Times, who chatted with
him for few minutes.
The rooms, which had been comforta-
bly, filed in the afternoon, were crowded
almost to their capacity at night, and it
is estimated that at least 1900 persons
were present at some time during the re-
ception.
1t had been intended that Hon F. G.
duBignon should call up the Governor but
for some reason he did not do so and Capt
Purse did the talking instead He
asked the Governor about COM
municaton which had been sent him
concerning the lawlessness prevail
ing at Indian Springs. The Govern
or replied that he would see the
Attorney General about the matter this
morning. Capt. Purse also spoke to Mr.
Victor l.. Mason, private secretary OF
Secretary of War Root. Mr.. Mason was
in the war department building in Wash
ington and regretted his inability to be In
Savannah upon so pleasant an occasion
Col. ]. II. Estili, had short conversa-
ton with Mr.. II. NJ. I4arner, Washington
correspondent of the Morning News, and
also had a chat with friend in Char
lotte, N. c..
So many requests were made for calls
in the cities included in the eastern cir
cult that the fist was closed comparative
ly early in the evening. All circuits were
kept busy and even then there were many
who had been unable to communicate
wi h friends owing to the priority of other
claims. Just before the entertainment
was closed a tree fell across the wires
near Denmark and put an end to all fur
Their conversation.
The opening was a great success and
much of it was due TO the courtesy and
affabGty of the gentlemen who were in
charge