The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-26
they CAN'T SEE HOW
Telephone Managers Say the Inter
change Of Connections Between
Companies Is Impracticable.
It Would Be Impossible in Some
Cases and Unsatisfactory
in All.

The Northwesternsta and Twin City teIe-
phone companies dosnot regard with favor
the bills introduced in the legislature yes
terday. requiring all phone companies to
connect with any sotl1er companies upon
demand. Both G: rP. Wainmall, general
manager Of the NorthW estern company,
and -. e. Whistler, manager Sof the Twin
City, stated this morning that there were
almost insurinountab Bile obstacles to such
q plan. ~ - Y. 58tt 4 81 IS.
I THE thing is absolutely impossible" de-
clared Mr.. aiiimallf 81 have read, hur-
riedly, 1T is true, the bills of both Mr.
Klein and Mr.: Schroeder; and their pur-'
pose seems sto be to- bring about: connec-
ton between the country systems and the
long distance lines. Primarily, judge,
both bills are Intended to benefit the farm
ers who have established cooperative ex
changes. :s!t -. ~ fs>
The practical difficulties in the way of
such, connection are evident to- anyone
familiar with the operation of telephone
lines e. The average farmers exchange is
a cooperative concern. fEEach man: pays
his proportion Of the cost of rconstructions.
Then each mar pays tile cost Of a branch
to his own house. 2 If his instrument gets
out OF order he repaifs:ft himself, or: pays
to have the work sdone.@s. If his phone gets
out OF order, and: ties up the whole line.
the rest Of the subscribers wait until he
repairs it, s. We cannot be:expected to do
business with2a concern like st11atsa More
over, these cooperative companies are
not, III most cases, Incorporated, and are:
not legally responsible. rs Their circuits
are usually semi metallic or grounded: and.
their instruments Of the cheaper varieties.
A eompany like ours, with full metallic;
circuits: and up TO- date Instruments, can
'i1ot make come ction with concerns carry
ing an inferior: equipment: 50
Z ."Fhere would be just as many practical
difficulties in the way. of making connec-:
ton with a competing company in one of
the larger cities, as tor instance. with the
Twin City in Mfnnea polls To give all our
subscribers free connection with all the
lines of the Twin City we would have to
build almost as many connecting wires be-
tween the two.eentral exchanges as we use
now to carryeohr own business. Then the
dnatter of theiproper;fee for, such connec-
ton would be "a much more complicated
matter than apepars at first glance.
Here is one Of the possibilities We
have several hundred subscribers in -the
Guaranty building. alone. If either of
these bills became q law, the Guaranty
might establish Ia central exchange In the
building, form q company and demand
connection with our lines Then we would
have to furnish connection with the build
ing; at a, heavy expense to ourselves, and
at q nominal Cost, t0 the tenants. The
ing =;
E: E. Webster of. the Twin City com
pany said: I'VE are willing to do any
thing the legislature asks that will insure
| our patrons more extensive and better
service, but it iss a serious question
| whether these bills viii accomplish the
result How are, you going to- start to es-
| tablish connection between two COM
panies? You might build central ex-
change, but I don't know how you could
| do that. ..--s4..
| The public cry just now is down with
1.-THE: trusts 1 b Iay the. practical sconsolida:
ton Of tive cen,pet ting companies the sbes1
/ way to. bring at3o ut this, end? Another
.thmg.,.I DO not: know that our patrons, en-
! joying unlimited service would be- hene.
fitted by. a connection with a company
! most Of whose business is on party lines.
TT might be. q good thing to call fol
Econnection between long distance. lines, anc
fllocal iridepedent Exchanges: for often loca
. companies are driven out Of business By
1.-the big fellows. or. forced to- become
ffessees Of the trust It would be. ali ex
tremely. difficult matter, however, to tram.
a law that would work out in satisfac
I tory manner. There are always practica
ldifficulties in establishing connection be
4 tween: two sets of lines. A semi -emtalli
7 circuit: line cannot. connect with full
4 metallic eli cult. -
If--s.:f..1-.E ...1.lE.7!s IL.