Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-08-28
Benefits Of Rural Telephones.

Benefits Of Rural Telephones.
The Farmer publishes the following
article on the benefits of the co-ope-
rative farm phones:
1t is a remarkable fact that there is
an unbroken unanimity of opinion
held by users of telephones regarding
their practical value. Soon after be-
ginning to use telephone they drop
the idea that it is simply a luxury and
finally regard it as necessity.
The question of expense is leading
one, and if a farmer cannot be made
to see that telephone in his house
would pay, it would not be good bust
ness for him to put one in. Facts and
not fancies should be available to
prove that the telephone would actual
ly be a profitable investment. From
Investigations made in a score of
neighborhoods and from correspond
ence in many others where telephones
have been in use long enough to
demonstrate their worth, it is ascer-
tanned that every user is able to cite
some instance in which his telephone
actually saved, or made, more than it
cost for the time it has been used.
The one instance does not cover all
the transactions that were profitable
by any means, but the one was cited
to prove the economic value of the
system.
When it is considered that person
may send his voice by telephone in
stantly to points where it would re-
quire hours for him to travel in order
to personally transact his business
the astounding conve nience of the sys-
tenn becomes apparent. Time is money
and many instances are known where
half hour saved was of more value
than mans entire earthly posses
sions. For instance when q member
Of the family was taken suddenly sick
or got badly hurt and the prompt ar
rival of assistance meant the saving
of a life dearer than ones own exist
ence, a half hour is a wonderfully
valuable thing, having almost a COR
poral existence and not to be CON-
pared in value to any form of animate
property. In considering this ques-
tion the economic side is always as
sorting itself. What farmer has not
suffered the loss of a valuable animal
because the veterinarian could not be
brought in time. The use of a tele-
phone would have started him in your
direction before horse could be har-
messed to summon him in the old way.
A neighborhood that is thoroughly
in touch through telephone connec-
tion is in position to resist the Gu
croachments of tramps and other Of
fensive characters. Petty thieving
can be detected and information sent
spreading the news of any outrageous
conduct through a neighborhood and
pilfering has almost entirely disap-
peared where telephones are in general
use.
The benefits and advantages of tel
ephones as demonstrated in hundreds
of rural communities cannot be even
outlined in short article. General
ly speaking and by way OF conclusion,
however, if you want to sell your
grain or stock you can instantly as
certain from your dealer or drover
whether the price suits you, over the
telephone; if you want to 60 visiting
in the next township you can find out
if your friend is at home, over the
telephone; if you want hands for any
purpose you can summon them over
the telephone; if you want to know if
an expected shipment has arrived at
the freight or express Office, you can
inquire over the telephone; if you
want to make your children more con-
tented with their home supply them
with the social amenities furnished by
the telephone; lastly if you want to
add to your wife's happiness and
tighten her labors, give her a tele-
phone.