The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-21

pened Through the deals completed yes
terday the Michigan Bell Telephone COM
pany has acquired practically undisputed
possession OF the entire field within the
state. To Detroit people one interesting
feature of this big transaction, is the
practical absorption and disappearance
of what has been known here as the
new company. 1t was born of the same
influence and with the same fostering
aid as the Detroit Railway company.
That was coddled and favored by mu-
nicipal authority that 1t might cope with
the Citizens company and force gen.
eral adoption of the three-cent fare for
which such authority was contendlng
thu ough numerous terms and campaigns.
The new telephone company was favored
because 1t was to make tight agalnst
the old enc and force reductlon OF
rates, the contract being, as given out
to the public, that 1t would never amalga-
mate with the older organization. In
both instances the enterprises that were
to emancipate the people have been swal-
lowed by the respective "octopi' they
were to destroy One settled fact is that
competition is destroyed There is not
room enough for another organization to
get foothold without the expenditure
of an enormous sum of money upon
chance that IS not an inviting one. Inc
natural outcome ordinarily is an advtnce
In prices. This may not come for some
time. and may not come at all, and with
the unifyIng of all the systems under
such capable management there goes an
assurance. of the best service.
Detroit Tribune: The consolidation OF
the two local telephone companies was
hardly unexpected. 1t has been inevitable
ever since the organization of the COM
peting company, and it was only a ques-
ton of time when the two concerns
would be succeeded by single company.
However beautiful 1t may be IN theory,
competition in the telephone business is
NOT satisfactory, either to the stockhold-
ers of the rival company or to their pat
rons Whatever is gained by decrease
in rentals is more than compensated Tor
by the inconvenience OF the TWO sys-
TENS. and the necessity of patronlzing
both exchanges in order to secure a. sat
,sfactory service OF course somebody
must pay for the material that is made
worthless by the consolidation OF the
two concerns, and that somebody will be
tha innocent subscriber. The Michigan
company is free to charge whatever 1t
will for it's service, but something may
safely be left to the business intelligence
of the officers there is nothing permanent
to be gained through competition In
this case there will be few mourners out
side of the minority stockholders. 1t is
nroper enough to sympathize with them
in their sorrows. =.
The Detroit Evening News: The Bell
Telephone Company having ABSORBED the
Detroit and Independent State lines, the
work of reorganizing the operating oe-
partment Will probably be Instituted at
once. AS matter of fact to business
men two telephone companies doing busi,
ness in the same town is nuisance ana
an unnecessary expense; nearly every nus-
mess, house and Office is compelled TO use
both phones If the absorption means
consolidation, the dropping OF one sys-
tenn entirely and no increase In rates. the
public will be grateful for it.