New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-06
TELEPHONE CONSOLIDATION.
Rr-MoRs THAT THE SCHEME WILL FAIL.
THOUGH DENIED, ARE PERSISTENT.

Fr-NoRs THAT THE SCHEME WILL FAIL.
THOUGH DENIED. ARE PERSISTENT.
:, was reported yesterday that the efforts which
az being made by President Latta and others in
.e-ssred in the Telephone. Telegraph and Cable
~ensuanv OF America TO consolidate all the indie
rr7dent telephone exchanges Of the country are
irs-slv 70 come 10 naught because number Of
s-rau Western concerns want q higher price for
,.sf- stock than is thought reasonable Represent
stives Of these Western companies who are in
his city say the trouble lies in the price asked
it sn the fact that they want cash for their hold
l-Ss and can't get It
An officer Of the Telephone. Telegraph and Cable
Company OF America told a Tribune reporter yes
.e-day that President Latta not meeting any
obstacles in his plan OF consolidating independent
telephone exchanges other than the usual ones
which promoters OF big enterprises expect TO en-
counter The prospect was bright and all reports
scattered abroad the effect that his efforts
Hksly 70 fail easily traceable 10 individuals
who had good reason 10 fear the consolidation OF
independent exchanges. In answer to the rumor
nat certain Western exchanges were demanding
Al unreasonable price for their stock this official
said that IL any exchange put too high price
On Us stock II could be left out OF the combina
ton without any trouble. and a working arrange
rneut could be made with 81. which It would be TO
the advantage OF every such exchange to enter
into
Regarding the proposed consolidation OF the tele-
phone manufacturers and its value ally in
y,
Official refused 10 say anything until such con-
soIdztfon IS accomplished fact
Whatever the real obstacle is in the way OF
sondztion there seems little doubt that it is
or less aggravated by the Incorporation last week
n Dover Del OF the American Independent Teie-
phone Company, with capital Of 100000 and power
70 acquire property TO the extent OF 100000 This
= said 70 have the hacking OF the Drexels, and is
slso IN the field with bids for the control OF the
independent concerns
Pans for the consolidation OF independent teIe-
phone manufacturers seem 70 hang fire also. A
-epresentative Of Schmidt & Bruckner manu-
fscturers OF telephone and electrical apparatus,
ssid Yesterday that the reports that combination
was forming among telephone instrument makers
s-1osed 70 the Bell interests have been based on
merely informal discussion among manufa cturers.
He sad that there have been. far Is he was
aware no meetings TO discuss the plan Of con-
solidation and that his firm was Lot particularly
interested in the discussion. On the other hand.
Albert 6 De Veau. OF the De Veau Telephone Com
psny, No 2 Rose-st, said that nothing regarding
the proposed syndicate was TO be made public until
the deal had gone through. "An I can say is"
added Mr.. De Veau, that great progress has been
made. and that the formation of the syndicate is
How a question Of but a short time When the
syndicate has been formed statement will be
given 10 the public.
The consolidation VIII. It is said include De
Teau & Co. the Phenix Telephone Company the
schulir s. Bruckner Telephone Company. the Amer
company. the stromberg-Carlson Telephone Com
Ian-- the Victor Manufacturing Company, the
Sterling Electric Company. the Western Telephone
Construction Company and Couch & Seeley
Another meeting viii be held Monday when II
& hoped 10 make definite progress All the money
necessary has been subscribed. II is said.
William II Ecker1. president of the Knickerbocker
Telephone and Telegraph Company. which is con-
sIructing a telephone system in this city 70 com
pete with the New-York Telephone Company. YES
cerday made public the which the company
VIII charge for local service.
Colonel Eckert through his son said Yesterday
afternoon 10 e representative OF The Tribune:
We intend 70 give an unlimited service within the
Eve boroughs 70 business houses for s12D and
and Richmond an arrangement viii be made for
lower rates than these within restricted areas.
tTcfs 70 business 4a for S4S and to private houses
for Sc For these toll charge viii be made
dents Of these eoroughs have the option, however
OF obtaining unlimited service throughout the city
VIII be no message rates whatever. Each sub
scribe- VIII have the exclusive use OF his circuit:
there VIII be no party lines
These rates about ore-half those charged by
the New-Tork Telephone Co npany
The Rnickerbocker Telephone and Telegraph
Company was incorporated in February, 1895. ITS
capitalization is $500 90. On February It will
take possession OF the building No. AIS 70 40
Broome-st- This building be the rair central
station Gables already being laid in the ducts
owned by the Empire City Subway COMPANY The
company viii have its ducts in Brooklyn. II
IS probable that the COMPANY viii be able TO send
its first telephone message IN three four days.
President Eckert expects to have the system COM
pIete6 from six &c nine months. The Knicker-
booker Telephone and Telegraph Company is allied
Win the IeieIno9e Ieiegraph enc sof e. C01lpshy
ago with a capital Of S30eoo.eE0-