Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-03-01

Apropos of the telephone situation
and the contemplated granting of a
franchise to the Cooperative Tele-
phone company Of Nezperce Teller
representative called on a number of
the business men Of the city today in
IN endeavor to ascertain their views pr
the possible Inconvenience Of two tele-
phone systems and found the sentiment
somewhat divided. \ number Of those
called on expressed The view that COM
petition In any line of trade would
work a benefit and on the other hand
q number expressed themselves as be-
ing satisfied with the present condi-
tons so far as exchange service went
believing that the PaoInc States Tele
phone and Telegraph company were
making a bona fide effort to improve
their service. and that they would
carry out their intention of installing
in Lewiston a modern telephone plant
Mr.. McGillivray was seen and stated
that so far as the construction of in
dependent lines WAS concerned, his
company was rather favorably disposed
than antagonistic towards them and
that so far as country company
building into Lewiston was concerned
they had nothing but encouragement
for them; as it had always been the
policy of his company to extend lines
in every direction where any revenue
at all could be obtained and thereby
assist to develop the county Mr.. Nc
Gilivray said:
'The construction of any telephone
line between points where communl-
cation is desired is a great factor in
developing any section of the country
THE telephone business is effected
more readily perhaps than any other
lin of work by improved conditions
where the country is being developed
and we are therefore glad to see any
movement along this line. even il il Is
in seeming direct opposition TO our IN
terest. If the Cooperative Telephone
company desire an entrance into Lew
jston we are glad to extend to them
welcoming hand but we can not see
on the showing that they have made
SO far. where they are entitled to re-
ceive a franchise giving them the right
at any time that they may desire to be-
GIN. construction OF Il lelepHOne eA-
change in the city of Lewiston.
IF II is desired by them to install n
number of telephones in Lewiston, for
the convenience of parties who desire
TO talk over their lines this matter
could Of course be easily accomplished
Without resort to franchise. If on
the other hand they propose to put up
hevt
definitely in some manner. for instance
by Incorporating II In their franchise
to install some certain specified type
of modern telephone exchange, within
certain time and with certain num-
Der of subscribers we have nothing
more to say provided the business
community is willing to stand for two
telephone systems If 1t Is not pur-
posed to install any exchange there Is
no need for franchise. II franchise
is needed and an exchange is coming
1t would be well for the community u
the matter were held up until more
thorough investigation could be made
as to the merits and dement's of this
innovation"
Mr.. McGillivray presented n number
of testimonial letters in relation to
single and double or competing service
which were in operation at Ports
mouth, Ohio. during last year. The
purpose of Mr.. McGillivray is pro-
ducing these letters at this time is to
show that a majority of the prominent
business firms of that city We're not IN
favor of two telephone systems. The
letters are herewith published.
April TO- 1903
Mr. j. f. McGillivray, manager, Ports
muth, Ohio.
Dear Sr:--1n compliance with your
request that we give you an expression
of opinion on the question of two tele
phone systems In any community we
most earnestly place our voice and
vote against 1t. IL is not only ques-
ton of double expense for one and the
same service, but the additional in
convenience and nuisance of having
two telephones to answer at the same
moment. The Home" or opposition
company only succeeded in getting