Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-02-12

At our last meeting the question of
extending our lines into the country
was discussed at some length, and the
general disposition of our stockholders
was for us to make such extensions
from time to time as we had means and
opportunity so to do. Immediately
after that meeting this matter was
taken up by your directors. Estimates
of the cost of building lines were care
fully made, and it was the unanimous
OpiniOn of the directors that under our
form of organization it would be mex
pedient for our company to attempt to
build the lines that were deemed neces-
sary to promote the best service to our
patrons and the best interests of Mara
thon county. As result your board
of directors requested Mr.. Jones to
undertake the organization OF a new
telephone company, whose purpose 1t
should be to construct lines in Mara
thon county and vicinity that would
connect with our exchange. The re-
sult of our efforts was the organization
of the Marathon County Telephone
Company, in which all stockholders Of
the Wausau Telephone Company were
given an opportunity to become mem
bers. That company constructed dur
ing the past year long distance lines to
Mosinee, Athens and Marshtield, and
our patrons are now given direct tele-
phone connection with the places above
named, and all intermediate points,
and through this means they also have
connection with the independent eX-
changes at Mapshfield and Grand
Rapids, and all exchanges operated by
the Little Wolf River Telephone Com
pany. :.
1t has been the aim of the directors to
carry out the wishes of the stockholders
in his work, and we cordially recon-
mend the continuation of this policy
and che procuring for our patrons of the
largest possible telephone use. We be-
lieve it is safe to predict that within live
years every town in Marathon county
will be directly connected by telephone
lines with our exchange.
The rapid growth of our plant will
necessitate the expenditure of a con-
siderable amount of money the next
year in needed improvements. Our
lines have been overloaded, and we
shall have to replace a large amount OF
wire with cable during the coming year.
This is expensive, but greatly increases
the permanent value of our plant. 1t is
your wish, as we interpret it, that we
should first of all secure to you the best
service obtainable, and if the growth
continues the coming year as in the
past it may be wise for us to fOregO the
making of dividend at this time, that
we NAV devote our entire energies and
all money obtainable to new conStruc-
ton work.
Your directors have made no effort to
sell stock during the past year. The fol
lowing brief statement shows that our
stock is worth more than double its face
value, and that it is becoming more and
more valuable each year. So far, as a
matter of policy, we have sold this
stock to our patrons at its face.
Whether this policy should continue
hereafter is for you to determine.
Our report one year ago showed the
total value of our plant on that date to
be at least S16,00O00 To this there
should be added at least So, 10000 added
value for the year just closed. Our
total stock sales to date are $7.S00.00.
The remaining S1l 200 90 has been paid
from our net earnings. That is to say,
since our company commenced business
in November, 1895, we have paid in
cash dividends to our stockholders 6S
per cent, and we have added from our
earnings in the construction of our
plant Sl1, 700 90, and we have a small
balance on hand to our credit, over and
above all Indebtedness.
In closing this report we once more
express our hearty thanks to the citi-
gems of Wausau and the stockholders of
this company for the hearty support
they have given us in the past, and be-
speak the same support for our sue
ceSSorS.
Respectfully submitted,
NATH HEINEMANN,
Z b. THAYER,
JAS. MONTGOMERY,
w. W. ALBERs,
q II InNES