Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-07
Mr.. WALLACE ON
NEW TELEPHONES

The presence in Salt Lake Of so many
new telephone promoters has occasioned
no little interest In the subject Of tele-
phonic communication Not only is the
general public watching developments,
but the officers OF the Rocky Mountain
Bell Telephone company as WELL In
fact, the interest of the latter is Of the
accentuated character, as Will be read
lly seen from the following colloquy
which took place between a News"
man and Mr.. Wallace Of the Bell COM
pany this morning. The reporter on en-
tering Mr.. Wallaces sanctum saluted
him with pleasant good morning. Mr..
Wallace's sautatlon was not quite so
good natured and the reporter ventured
the query:
TOO much Eccles dinner last nght?"
mo" replied Mr.. Wallace, thawlng
out somewhat. THE Eccles dinner was
a very delightful affair, given TO a very
delightful gentleman whose departure
from this city viii be of great loss to
It,"
II will tell you what Is making me
cross said Mr. Wallace. 81 feel like
big bear and all because Of this needless
telephone agitation. Take the newest
arrival in town with his pockets full of
telephone plants-and his partner
| have every reason for thinking them
professional promoters. ! have sent
some kilograms making enquiries about
them, and when replies are received, |
will be very glad indeed to give the
people Of Salt Lake some information
in regard to them.
1--WE sent to the morning papers last
evening an advertisement. and the
same will appear In this evenings
News" taking up the situation, and
answering the advertisement that APP
peared the day before by the promoter
Of the so-called Home Telephone COM
pany" though they admit that they do
not want one dollar OF home capital,
whereas forty per cent or more Of our
capital Is owned right here.
Assuming that there may be
shadow OF truth in the statement pub
lished as 10 the number OF infringing
telephones in the several cities, though
by kilograms received from the man
ayers OF the Bell companies am in
cllned TO doubt II little--but ASSUME
ing that their figures are correct. in the
places that we have heard from they
claim TO have l4l75 telephones. and I
know that the Bell people In the same
places have 1l,257, whereas I'm their
published statement they say the Bell
companies only have 9,7il telephones.
Personally. and / believe | speak
for great many Of the old residents
and business men OF this town. | am
unable to see how two telephones can
operate satisfactorily in any place.
What Is your objection to the Coun-
ell granting franchise to the new
people?'
II have endeavored 10 answer that
In the advertisement. hut viii repeat
now-No city council today will grant
an overhead telephone franchise, but
they insist and we think rightly tina,
all poles should be taken from the
business streets. and II the Judgment OF |
the City Council Is that this city can
stand the aflilction OF another telephone |
company II seems 20 me that they |
should be only granted a right 10 nut |
wires underground. Please do not ask |
me any more questions because. as \
.aid at the beginning OF the interview. |
am little too cross 10 be polite even l
10 a newspaper man--the best Of good |