Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-06-26
SOME IMPORTANT
TELEPHONE FACTS
Reporter Representative Interviews Man
ager Starks

ager Starks.
On October %, 1886. the board of
directors, of the Wood County Tele-
phone company issued a statement,
showing that there was on that date
a total of 1l9 phones. December 81,
1899, the president, in his annual
report, reported 229 telephones and
remarked that the growth of the
company had gone beyond all expecta-
lions and that all who were connected
with the exchange had every reason
to be proud of it's development and
growth. The increase during 1899
was 81 subscribers.
On January Is, 1902, at the annual
meeting of the stock holders of the
company, there was reported 333
telephones in use, and the yearly
increase was figured at 33B per cent
At the present time there are 493
subscribers and still increasing at an
alarming rate. The equipment on the
east side of the river is completely
filled up and but very few more sub
scribers can be Accommodated.
There is feeling among those who
are closely associated with the COM
pany, and by those who fully under
stand the working of the system that
it is impossible to give service but a
very short time longer at the present
rates. In aSmuch as the present
rental charges are not large enough
TO any more than keep up the increase,
it is absolutely necessary to stop where
we are, unless we enlarge our plant,
, which will cost several thOuSan nd
dollars. 1t is easy to figure out that
small advance in the monthly rental
charges is necessity.
For the benefit of those who have
recently located here and who are
probably not fully posted on our public
cOnvenienceS it might be stated that
the aim of this company is but to give
telephone service at cost. The same
is also true Of our Electric Light
company
1t would take several days of hare
travelling and very thorough search
to find another locality where tele
phone and electric light service can bt
had for the small price it is offered fol
here.
A move is being considered a.
present to connect up about tlirt,
Well-to-dO farmers in the towns O
Sigel and Rudolph and from th,
present indications the connection
will be made in the very near future
and it is one that should bring con
siderable more business to this CITY
also be of no small convenience to tn,
several farmers.
The total number of calls per da,
averages but a few below 5000 in tn,
Grand Rapids central and if there i
any one who has had to wait, at SOM
time, for thirty seconds in order t.
get response from the operator, h
can rest assured the girl was no
asleep. 1t would be well for any on
who is sceptical regarding the humble
OF calls or as to the quiclness ant
accuracy of the several opera tors, t,
make a personal call at the telephon
office and investigate; we vii
endeavor to make their visit pleasan
and agreeable.
A good many people have useC
telephones for years and have neve
seen "the central" To these especially
the management of the COMPANY
extends the invitation to call.
Mr.. Joseph POminville, of Saltwater
Mum, after having spent over 1900
with the best doctors for stomach
| trouble, without relief, was advised by
his druggist, Mr.. Alex. Richard, t(
try a box of Chamberlain's Stomach
and Liver Tablets, He did so. and
is a we'll man today. If troubled with
| indigestion, bad taste in the mouth
lack of appetite or constipation, give
these Tablets trial, and you are
certain to be more than pleased with
the result. For sale al 25 cents per box
by j. e. DAILY and Sam Church.
/