The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-04-04

The telephone war is still on. The
usiness men and members of the board
of trade are pushing subscription books
into the hands of all who will take
them. and tits given out that nearly
four hundred have been placed. Each
of the persons who have taken books
pledge themselves to take one or moro
shares and to canvass among the peo-
pie to secure. additional subscriptions.
In this way it is expected to have the
entire city canvassed In few days.
The grocers held a meeting Tuesday
evening and discussed the situation.
1t Is said that among those present
there was unanimity of opinion that
one telephone was sufficient and the
greater majority. took stock subscrip-
tion books and are at work Wednesday
soliciting subscriptions. Some of the
grocers have already ordered out their
Bell instruments and intend running
with one whether the purchase scheme
is carried out or not.
OUTLOOK ENCOURAGING.
While no reports have been made to
the committees by any of the solicit
tors, 1t is said that the conditions look
encouraging for the success of the
scheme. 1t is realized that at $1OO
share it will take lot OF shares and a
lot of work to secure sufficient funds tc
secure the plant. The inducements that
are held out are so promising as to
make the scheme attractive even to pri-
vate individuals who have telephones,
or to those who have money to invest.
The statement Is made that with 1000
homes connected up the scheme will
pay IL per cent. annually ON the invest
ment They figure that If person
took two shares they would get their
telephone rent down to Sc a year, as
the stock would earn the other Sf2.
Some persons have suggested that
1t would be good scheme for the city
to buy the Stark County Telephone
company and this test the feasibility
of municipal ownership. It is thought
that with its earnings and that O. the
waterworks department the city covld
pay the big end of its expenses.
POOR HELLO GIRLS.
Reports from the. Bell company's
headquarters are to the effect that
Tuesday was a very trying day. There
were hundreds of calls for doctors,
druggists, merchants and private indi-
viduals who had ordered out their
telephones and who had disconnected
them or plugged the bells so that they
would not ring. People who din not
understand the situation thoross.iy
became angry and made life miserable
by their complaints to the central girls.
1t Is not the policy OF the Bell people
to make any explanations and the lines
were always busy or they rung them up
and could not understand why. they
did not answer. To one who knew
the situation the subterfuges were rath-
er amusing, but to others -o1asperasing.
The girls at the central, however, wero
the greatest sufferers. %
BIG SALE NECESSARY.
In order to buy the plant outright,
$500 shares will have to be disposed
Of This is big undertaking, the men
at the head of 1t say. W6lle one block
of $4,000 is assured, and several of
81 900 each, 1t Is realized that about
1.500 persons will have to be found who
will take the big end of the stock in
shares of 500 each.
It is the intention of these who have
the matter in charge to bond the prop
erty for half or two-thirds Of It's value
and thus return to the stockholders
that proportion of the money. This
will enable them to- make the pur-
chase with but comparatively small
cash outlay Is the scheme can be sue
cessful carried through.