The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-29
The TELEPHONE WAR
Hearing Before the
Committee Of Alder
men Last Night.
SEARLS WILL NOT ANSWER.
Would Not be Questioned
by the Oppo-
sition.

Another shot has been fired in the
Worcester telephone war.
The aldermanic telephone committee
Of five has held It's initial session and is
now prepared to wrestle with what
ever material may be launched in it's
direction.
The Worcester Telephone Company
was represented at last nights hearing
by Henry F. Harris, William P. Searls,
3. p Curtis and j. Russell Marble,
while the lineup of the New England
forces included Samuel L. Powers of
Newton, F. w. Blackmer and S. E.
Hanson, special agent for the New
England Company.
AS at the previous hearing before the
board of aldermen, Mr.. Searls declined
most respectfully to answer questions
which counsel for the New England
company wished to ask him. Mr.. Har-
ris sprung one of the surprises of the
evening when he mentioned the fact
that -he had heard that the Massachu-
sets Telephone Company, which was
represented in this city by q. A Hol-
brook, is in reality but form of the
New England company masquerading
under another name. For what pur-
pose he was unable to state.
AS at the previous hearing, the Strow-
ger system came in for considerable
discussion.
Mr.. Searls led off for the Worcester
company, by explaining that he was at
loss 10 know what was expected. He
had endeavored to give all the inform
alton in his power at the previous
hearing, ana he was unable to see
what further argument the New Eng
land Company had to put up.
Mr.. Searls said that in New Bedford
the mayor and board of aldermen had
looked into the Stronger system and
were satisfied that it is practical.
Mr. Searls appeared to lose his GUS
tomary GOODNESS under questioning by
Alderman O'Connell, and when the al
derman wanted to know if he did not
think the board should know what sys-
tenn the new company was to use re-
piled rather testify that he did not.
Mr.. Sears did not consider members
of the board technical men, and thought
the matter should be left to the city
electrician or any other expert who is
not biased.
Alderman O'Connell insisted that
members of the committee should be
satisfied that the system to be used
was all right
Alderman Back wanted to know IL
the Worcester company was not prac-
tically welded to the Stronger sys-
tenn. Mr.. Searls replied that 1t was not,
and insisted that the attitude of the
new company was the same as at the
first meeting. 1t is willing to adopt any
system that will meet with the ap-
prevail of the board of aldermen. The
company is ready and willing to lay
conduits i'll every street where such
course would seem reasonable.
He thought the company would be
foolish TO bind itself to any system
when there is such constant improve
ment in telephones. If the new company
Installed the automatic system, and
found It was not a good one, it could
take it out and put in another at COM
paratively small expense.
AT this point Mr.. Powers begged leave
to remark that Mr.. Searls did not mean
what he said. Not only would such a
change necessitate a change of instru-
nents, but a change in switchboard
and wiring as well.
Alderman O'Connell said he wanted
to get all the information possible on
the subject and asked if it was not
true that the, New England Company
had established a $25 rate in this city.
Yes said Mr., Searls, "a gold brick
rate"
Continuing Mr.. Searls explained that
whatever literature had been distrib-
uted pertaining to the Stronger system
had been merely TO refute the state
ments made at the previous hearing
: as to the practicability Of the system.
He also said that the statement made
at a previous hearing, that the Strow-
ger system had been offered to the Bell
Company, was an error.
Again Mr.. Powers broke in with an
explanation, saying that he was &C.
quainted with the gentleman who Of
fered the system to the Bell Company,
and introduced him to some of the Off
Gals.
Alderman O'Connell then wanted to
know If the Worcester company would
accept franchise with condition that
the system used should meet with the
approval of the board of aldermen. Mr.
Harris said that the company did not
want to use anything that would not
meet with the approval of the board OF
aldermen, and If the Stronger system
was what the New England company
claimed, his company would not care to
adopt It, He objected to being obliged
to defend it. All he could say was
that for some time past favorable re-
ports had been received from the auto
matte system.
Mr.. Marble said his company want
ed to put in a good telephone system
one that would meet the requirements
Of the great mass Of people who are
without telephone service at the pres,
ent time.
Mr. Harris explained each subscriber
would have special metallic line in
stead of being on line with seven Oh
eight others, and for about half the
rate now charged.
Mr.. Powers asked Mr. Harris If he
thought subscriber received as good
service In an exchange of 500 subscrib-
ers as in another where he could call
X up 2500
Mr.. Powers. the first speaker for the
rsmonstrants, asked permission Of the
chair to address few questions to Mr.
Searles. The chair had no objection, but
Mr.. Searls had, and voiced them in
these words: II most respectfully de-
cline to be questioned by the gentle.
n man" Mr.. Powers looked disappointed
MIR Blackmer then stated that in ad.
dition to the New England company he
had other clients, who are real estate
owners In the city, and whose property
4. abuts on the streets where the Wor,
cester company has asked to lay III
nopdsVffa Gowcra1 Of fbnaa raonla n a ".