The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-19
SIXTY-FIVE EXCHANGES.
That Many Represented at Independ-
ent Telephone Meeting.

Independent telephone men who consti-
tute the Indiana Mutual Telephone Associa-
ton gathered for the fourth annual meet
ing at the Bates House yesterday About
one hundred men, representing the interests
of sixty-five exchanges, were at the meet
ing. There was a general discussion of the
telephone interests and reports were re-
ceived which showed an encouraging condi-
ton of affairs Particular stress was placed
on the fact that the independent companies
will soon have communication with Indian
apolis through the mediUmship of the New
Long-distance Telephone Company. 1t was
stated by E. H. Address, of Lafayette, that
there are 32S towns in the State reached by
the Independent companies that now have no
telegraph service and many of them no mail
service worth mentioning. All these points
can be reached from Indianapolis through
the numerous Independent exchanges Elk
periences in fighting the Bell interests were
related and the determination to continue
the fight was expressed. No legislation will
be asked by the independent companies but
a committee on legislation was appointed to
keep an eye open for adverse legislation.
1t has been reported that bill is to be in
troduced fixing rates in cities of 30 600 or less
population at 81 a month for residences and
$lo0 for business telephones. This, it is as
SeTlGu, Is II price 81 low llldl the business
could not exist under it. and if such meas
ure is introduced efforts will be made to de-
feat it, The Independent companies claim
that through the competition they have
originated telephone rates have been re-
duced all the way from 80 per cent. upward.
and they believe that their efforts should
not be killed by legislation that would be
prohibtive.
The following offices We're elected: Presi-
dent, +. H. Address. Lafayette; vice preSi-
dent, A. E. Reynolds, Crawfordsville; sec
rotary and treasurer, Harry b. Gates In
dianapois; executive committee, Messrs.
Address, Reynolds and Gates, George w.
Beers, of Fort Wayne, John McGregor,
Madison. A. +. Ramsey, Charlottesville, and
Hugh Dougherty. Button; committee on
legislation, S. =. Sheerin, indianapolis: c.
NJ Zion. Lebanon; L. A. Frazee. Corners
Vile; w. b. Austin. Rensselaer,, and A. II.
Nordyke, Indianapolis.
Last night a smoker in honor of the Wis
itors was given by the officials of the New
Telephone Company in the exchange build
ing of the company, on North Meridian
street, next to the Marion Club. The tele-
phone men expressed pleasure with the New
Company's building, especially with the ex-
change room. the third floor which is
abundantly provided with light and ventila-
ton from large windows on all of the four
sides. The exchange room occupies the en-
tire top floor and the telephone men present
of any they had ever seen. In this room
Messrs. Nordyke. Sheerin and Gates Of the
company, entertained the visitors. A buffet
lunch, cigars and punch We're served and the
telephone men spent several hours in dis
cussing topics of interest to their business.
Although the work of Installing the plant
Of the New Telephone Company is pro-