The Glenwood post., 1904-07-16
The Colorado Telephone Co
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

The rapid growth of the telephone
business thr GU ghout the state has le-
suited in the construction of lines
along most of the public highways
As you undoubtedly know, these lines
are for the purpose CT giving yourself
and your neighbors telephone service
with adjacent communities, and are
of themselves public necessity and
benefit. The highways are primarily
constructed and maintained for the
purpose of facilitating communication
and are rightfully reserved for the
general benefit of all the people. The
state, recognizing this fact, has made
all such roads public property and
does not permit of any interference
by private parties with such high
ways.
While the telephone lines are
owned by corporation, they are used
as public utility. and any interfer
ence with them is general damage
to the community If any one has a
legal right to travel along country
road they have just as good a right to
talk along the same road by means
of the telephone wires, and interfer
ence with this conversation is as
much detriment to the general com.
munity as if bridge was taken out
by some private person, making the
road impossible.
With this preliminary explanation,
| wish to call your attention to the
status of this company as regards the
moving of hay stackers through our
lines. We have heretofore taken the
ground that we would place high
poles in our lines for the convenience
of the farmer desiring to move his
hay stacker along a given road, or,
if at any time the route was
changed, we would furnish labor to
open our lines temporarily for the
same purpose.
In some cases we nave been put to
considerable Inconvenience by reason
of farmers moving stackers through
our lines without notice, not only
causing us expense. but depriving
themselves and their neighbors of
continuous telephone service.
From this time on we Will say TO
all owners of hay stackers that we
are perfectly agreeable to furnish
without charge, the necessary NUN
ber of men to open the line at any
given time, providing reasonable
notice has been given to our nearest
office. The owner of the hay stacker
to furnish means of transportation
for the necessary men to and from
our Office. We feel that this propo
sition is perfectly fair to every one
concerned, and that we are clearly
acting within our legal rights in this
matter.
1nasmuch as we are a public utility
corporation, and depend upon the
people for our patronage we wish to
have the good will of the entire com,
munity, but we must like any one
else, protect ourselves against injuries
and wrong In doing so we also pro
tect our subscribers, yourself, your
neighbors and the public generally.
In case it becomes necessary at any
time to move your stacker through
any of our wires, you can always get
our agent by telephone. and he will
be instructed to assist you and facili
tate your work in every possib BILE way.
Should our agent fail to give you
prompt attention. you can call the
general superintendent Office at Den
yer. by telephone. without charge.
We will not permit our wires to be
torn down without notice. and in
future cases of this sort will be com
PEELED to take legal steps to protect
our subscribers.
THE COLORADO TELEPHONE CO..
E NJ. Burgess.
General Superintendent.
Denver, Colo. June 30 1904