The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-22
BILLINGS TELEPHONE COMPANY.
Superintendent Hungerford Submits to
an Interview.

E. M. Hungerford, superintendent
of the Billings Telephone company,
submitted to an interview yesterday
afternoon with a Gazette reporter and
during the course Of his remarks and
in answer to several questions asked
him relative to the probable installa-
tion of two more telephone exchanges,
said:
"No, it is not the desire of the
stockholders to sell out the plant.
We feel that we can do as we'll by the
public, in giving firstclass service at a
low rate, as can the Rocky Mountain
Bell. Also, that we are all local bust
ness men, doing business here in the
city and have the interests of the city
at heart. We are now making a fair
rate of interest on our investment and
although at first it was practically a
losing proposition we are satisfied to
remain in the business. Yes, we were
the first independent company to in
stall a telephone exchange in this Sec
tion of the west. We placed the rental
at a price where it was within the
reach of all who desired telephone
connection, and gave individual line
service at a far less rate than the
Rocky Mountain Bell charges for
party lines. |
"No, we see no reason why we
should not continue to receive the
patronage of the people, as we have
never abused a privilege granted us.
Neither have we ever charged the
city a cent for it's telephone service at
the fire hall or the pest house, al
though the expense for running wire
to the pesthouse was considerable.
We are ready at any time to give the
city the use Of poles for fire alarm
service. Yes, we are anxious for the
Bell people to build in here and will
assist them in any reasonable way.
We will handle them if desired as we
do the Billings and Musselshell and
the Bridger and Park City lines. We
will meet them at the corporate limits
with wire and take them into and out
of town. We will even go further
and will give crossarm room for the
establishment and maintenance OF q
limited number of toll stations fol-
them should they object to US acting
as a feeder for their toll lines. We
will also agree to connect any phone
on our exchange to their toll line, the
same as we will other service about
town, without charge.
"Our rates are 81 for business
houses, So for Offices, So. so and So fol
individual lines. Party lines at $1.2l
per month. We do not limit service
to any stated number Of calls per day
as other companies are now doing
The standard they adopt is 10 call
per day; any call in exces Of tina
number costs subscribers 5 cents pc
call. Business calls here run from
eight to 90 per day, actual count, dur
ing this season of the year. Summe
season, more"
Mr.. Hungerford was asked if it wa
not true that extensive improvement
were to be made by. his company thi
} spring.
!, eyes. At present we are s%eriousl,
affected by induction from the electri
light circuits after the current i
turned on in the evening, but the ma
T terial to rebuild the system in such
manner as to eliminate that is nov
r ordered and work will begin as soon a
it is received: Our Sunday servic
and the natural increased demand 70
instruments have rendered it neces
. sary to employ another operator 1
! central. Our operators are receivin
!. better wages than are paid by any 81
change within our knowledge"