The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-05-07
Use or THE TELEPHONE
Enormous Growth of the Business In Amer
lea In Recent Years.

In spite of disappointment and dissatisfac-
ton, America is the foremost country OF the
world in the art OF telephony. and in many
particulars it has so far surpassed European
countries that no comparison is possible. This
is especially true Of the long-distance service.
which affords connections between thirty-eight
exchange companies having 41O.00O subscrib-
ers. and includes in its equipment more than
10000 miles Of pole lines. carrying nearly
125.oO0 miles Of wire and connecting
2S5 offices. 1t is possible for persons
1000 miles apart to hold conversation
over the lines OF this company with as much
clcarness and distinctness as II they were sep
aratcd by only 100 yards. In Europe the
| longest telephone connection thus far at
tempted Is only $50 miles. The long-distance
| system in this country has been developed at
an expenditure Of $l5.OOO,OOO for line con-
struction. equipment. franchises. and supplies.
It is the main artery in the Bell structure. and
is expected to prove the most important fea-
ture OF the system in the impending struggle
OF the Bell interests to maintain their suprem-
acy in the large cities Of the country.
Last year the exchanges operated under the
Bell patents employed 1.124.S40 Instruments.
an increase of 2O5. 725 over the previous year.
and a gain OF o02. l54 telephones since the
present organization was Effected in 3 In
that year the American Pell Telephone Com
pnny began business with 1882 INSTRUMENTS
connected by 2s;3l1 miles Of wire In the sew
eral exchanges then established.
The most, interesting statistics upon the tel
ephone, industry are those which mark its
gradual development since 1854. when a sys-
tenatic collection Of data pertaining to the
subject was begun. The company had n7.422
1884 and the business was divided among oGB
exchanges the entire force rec em nbPiIGyye nH TnlSny
465, $50 stations connected by 172.!S!' miles
Of wire and l,12h exchanges and 1.OoS
figures convey some idea Of the "nor-
nous growth OF the business in the
last fifteen ,Sn Years: b. but tt thiS mc AL G ~ noMy
munication In the daily commercial ard social
lie Of the nation; 4 better ilims,r 93I no is n a.
this country, Or 3.s2a, 700 daily converse;
The use Of the tol;line system. con
%necting city exchanges With suburban 1ro points.
of connections thus, made during the, last year
being 3o.GOO.o0o. This is entirely indenendent
OF the ong-distance service. and furnishes
another proof Of the growing importance OF
this msthod Of ,communiratip ion AZ a sotini iac.
year was increased by nearly x 1000. which is
certainly a remarkable showing when 1t Is re-
lnembered that the Bell exchanges i3st many
1t must be remembered. too. that the inde-
telephone movement which has been
Fundamental BELL patents. six years ago. has as
important PROPORTIONS and that ~ pro,
neiRhborhood OF 5000 exchanges throughout
he country. Naturally many OF these are in
small places where the bell company,'s rates
others are in towns whore exchanges hayc
been in operation The low rates Of, the
inti- Bell companies have greatly stimulated
he business and placed the service with;
n the reach Of many who could not AFFORD
he Bell prices. In spit" 81 the reduction in
rriccs the character OF the service has been i'm
,rovcd, as competition has made il necessary
or the Bell company 10 use inventions ana i'm
that otherwise would have been
,urird. This was the policy Of the Bell man
during the period when II cnJoyed a
.oncd as soon MS the independent movement
'ot fairly under way.