The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-01-26
CARD TO THE PUBLIC
Issued by The OwossO Telephone Com.
pany.

SNs WIZ oeOiy ehdo, oWluS W tuo TO-
cent deal in telephone matters in De.
troit, that The Owosso Telephone Com.
pany was about to be cut off from con-
nections with Detroit and the territory
occupied by the New State Telephone
Company, and that we were going to be
badly affected by that transaction.
AS an evidence that these parties have
talked without due authority from their
superiors, and that they have allowed
their zeal to outrun their discretion, we
quote the following signed statement of
Mr.. Charles Flowers. president of the
new organizations of both the New
State Telephone Company and the De-
troit Telephone Company:
"The agreement between the Erie
Telephone Company and the Detroit
and New State companies having been
fully completed, deem it proper to an.
nounce the basis of the agreement:
"The Detroit and New State com
panies are to continue as separate and
distinct organizations, and shall give
service at the rates fixed by law in the
various cities and towns in which they
operate.
Their lines shall be extended wher-
ever necessary to increase business and
to accommodate patrons, and every
thing shall be done that can be to i'm
prove the service and enhance the value
OF the properties and securities of both
companies and perform the moral and
legal obligations resting upon them
Having organized and promoted the
Detroit Telephone Company, and being
responsible for the fact that telephone
rates are lower in Detroit than in any
other large city of the United States,
consented to become the president of
both companies that might be in po.
sition to see that the policy above indi-
Gated and agreed upon shall be carried
out to the letter.
"While am not in position to die
tate the policy of the Michigan Tele-
phone Company, which is also con-
trolled and operated by the Erie Com
pany land not by the Bell Company, as
many. suppose), l have most positive
assurance, IN which l have the utmost
faith, that no attempt will be made to
raise the rates above those fixed by law
for the independent companies in this
state. CHAs. FLOWERS,
President, Detroit Telephone Com
pany."
Lest it be assumed that Mr.. Flowers
does not speak by the card, in so far as
the attitude of the whole transaction is
concerned, it may be said that, since
the publication of Mr.. Flowers state
ment, one of the most prominent off,
cials of the Erie Telephone Company
and of the Michigan Telephone Com
pany has emphatically stated that the
statement of Mr.. Flowers is absolutely
correct.
Now as to the attitude and purposes
of The Owosso Telephone Company
locally:
The original object of this company
was to secure this community good tele.
phone service and at reasonable rates
permanently. Our plant was built with
local capital by local men, and is oper-
ated by local citizens. No profit has
been made by any officer of the COM
pany in the construction of the plant.
Our directors pay the same rates for
as do other citizens.
The company has accepted a IS year
franchise regulating rates, and has
demonstrated that an improved service
and lower rates can be given than
formerly, so long as the public con-
tinues its generous and increasing pat |
ronage.
In this connection, we desire to call |
especial attention to the fact that our
company has recently purchased an inn
proved 500 drop switch board which
will soon be installed, enabling us to
improve the service now being given.
With 355 telephones in OwOsso and free
service to 90 Corunna subscribers we
ire in position to serve the public in
he best possible manner.
We desire to say to the public that no
)vertures have been made to us, nor by
rs, for the sale of our plant, and none
will be made by us so long as the public
how their appreciation of our efferts to
i've them an improved service at fair
'ates by their continued generous pat
'onage.
We propose to do business perma-
lently, and only by the withdrawal of
public patronage can this company be
orced out of business and rates ad.
,anced in this locality. This we do not
ear or believe possible, because of the
veil known loyalty of our people TO the
pest interests of Owosso and adjoining
erritory.
The Owosso TELEPHONE Co. l