The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-12
THE new TELEPHONE
Continued from Page -

Tor which the annual rental of a tele-
phone is 500, would be considered a
more desirable system than one with
rental was only $25.
There has been report in circulation
that the Worcester Telephone Com
pany, If granted a franchise. would
avoid tearing up the asphaltina and
granollthic paving, by laying their con-
aults under the sidewalks, but real es-
tate men are asking how they could
pace Hyatt lights in sidewalks which
contained telephone condufts.
interviews with several business men
VINO have occasion to use the telephone
70 considerable extent, were secured
yesterday. Nearly all were of the opin-
ION tnat they We're receiving good SER
vice from the New England company
at present, and failed to see how they
were to be benefited any extent by a
new company.
Herbert B. Belcher, of Watson &
belchef provision dealers, said he did
not take much stock in the movement
Tor another telephone company in Wor-
cester. he had seen too MANY that
nave started with glowing colors. but
Ialleo TO materialiZe. Mr.. Belcher's
hrm is one of the oldest telephone sub
scrlpers in Worcester, and he recalls
the early days when two or three com
panles were in the field, very distinct
~ AT one time his firm was obliged to
nave three instruments at one time. all
though the matter finally resolved itself
into one company.
MT Belcher realizes that if a new
company starts and secures a fair num-
per or subscribers it will be necessary
to have two telephones providing he
wishes to retain his customers, and he
Ialled to see how the business man
would be benefited.
John E. Baker, provision dealer at 1O5
front street, would like to see tele-
phone rates come down. but does nor
care to chance inferior service for the
ulILerence in rental. He preferred that
some one else should experiment with
the new system before he becomes a
subscriber. If it becomes necessary 10
nave two telephones, he fails to see
where he is benefited by the arrange
ment
Mr.. Malmstead. of the Worcester
t MARKET company, was satisfied with
the present telephone service both To-
cal ana out of town. He failed to see
what advantage there would be though
rates were lowered, if the cost of two
Instruments would amount to as much
II not more than one in addition to the
CONFUSION resulting from having two
ulnerent systems in operation.
r. D. mckay, treasurer of the Den
nom d Mckay Company, said: There
are three long distance telephones in
eIt, ana the company would be com
PEELED to become a subscriber of the
new company if it came into exist
ence."
William p. Searls, one OF the men
most interested in the formation of n
new company, said yesterday that he
was surprised to see an apparent lack
OF enthusiasm in certain members of
the city government, who ne had I'M
oerstood. favored an opposition COM
pany. He considers that with tha
amount of telephone agitation going
on during the past few months that
the aldermen would be able to make
up their minds on the subject quickly
lie thought that his associates would
go into the next meeting of the board
ana ask for action one way or another
on their petition.
Aside from the fee for incorporation
members of the Worcester Telephone
Company have nothing to lose, and if
the aldermen do not take action soon.
Mr. Searls thinks the matter NAV he
dropped.
He thinks the franchise should he
granted at once and the matter of sys.
tenn to be used, settled afterwards.
Another interesting statement adj
vanced by Mr.. Searls relates to the
manner of capitalization. The plan is
similar to that pursued in the financial
organization of several of the great
trusts. Numerous western banking
firms stand ready TO capitalize or un-
derwrite the stock of the Worcester
company, for a consideration, of course
allowing Worcester men an option on
the stock, so that in reality local men
are not taking chances in the matter.
Mr.. Searls considers the character
and business reputation of the men in
this company sufficient guarantee that
they mean business. He also says
the Stronger automatic system is one
of the best in operation today
The proposition, to have the aldermen
take trip to some of the cities where
the automatic system is in operation
has a drawback in Mr. Searls' estirna-
ton. for the reason that such Il trip
might give rise to unpleasant com
ment.
Mr.. Searls and his associates are
thoroughly convinced of the feas ioility
| of the plan and will use every effort to
have their petition granted.