The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-04-21
new PHONE system
IS BOON TO PEOPLE
Telephone Article In Recent Is
sue of Duluth Paper Don't
Tell Whole Truth.
Independent Telephone System
Has Proven To Be Great
Blessing To People.

That was bare-faced article on in
dependent telephone companies which
the News Tribune reproduced last Fri
day morning. It was taken from the
Bulletin" of the Leage of American
Municipalities, and was an apparent
condemnation of all Independent teie-
phone companies, simply because the
indianapolis company had failed.
The story was not good news because
it was first printed several weeks ago.
The Duluth Telephone company was
unquestionably pleased that it appeared
IN the News-Tribune at this time. We
can readily perceive why it would be
pleased. In some respects the Zenith
City Telephone company's position IS
Identical with that Of the Indianapolis
c0napny. Enemies Of the independent
companies ever glory in depicting the
shortcomings of the brave little insti-
tutions which are making things lively
for the old Bell Telephone monopoly.
But whatever is said in 1fsparagement
of the new companies the people Of this
city, those who could not afford the
old Bell company telephones When it
had monopoly on the business here,
and who can now have them in their
homes at moderate cost, will take no
stock In their selfish trade.
The Zenith City Telephone COM
pany has been boon to the people OF
Duluth. 1t has served several worthy
purposes. 1t compelled the cid Bell
company to modernize it's antiquated
plant. We can all remember the old
system with dozen parties on the line
with it's cross talk, the Did crank to
call up central, and the frequent inter.
ruptions-al gentle hints to make your
conversation brief.
The new company made 1t possible
for small business men and work.
ing people to have telephone service at
a moderate cost. A residences phone
that formerly cost $50 a year can now
be had Cor s18.
One Of the best results OF telephone
competition Is the common cour-
tesy shown in the treatment Of pat
rons. This in itself Is worth the cost
of the two companies. when we think
o. the insolent. attituJe OF the old
company during its moaopoiistic exist
drcesassss - 55s H
Some Of the larger business inst
tutions complain about the nuisance Of
two telephones, but who1 it is remem-
beIed that they are now getting the
two for the former plice of one. they
ought to overlook The inconvepiece
for the greater good that has been
done. It may he true that the Bel,
company has not reduced materially
its rates on business 'phones' out as
it gives each business patron a resi-
dence phone free their service is no
more costly than THAI OF the independ-
ent company.
The new company, like it's Indian
apol1s contemporary, was Obliged to
ask the city council for PERMISSION to
increase It's rates, br' this act does not
declare the independent proposition a
failure. The error WAS made when the
franchise was originally ler. An over
enthusiastic promoter is responsible
for any handicap 20 which the COM
pany has been put. \ sympathetic
people will ever stand ready to boost
any reasonable proposition which will
perpetrate the life of q competitive
telephone company and prevent the
Bell people from sa tisfying tier ,mon-
opolistic desires.