Omaha daily bee., 1906-10-28

lblepnOnc system OF continue VIII
single telephone system as at present.
That there are advantages and disad-
vantages of dual telephones goes
without saying, so 1t remains for those
who are to pass on this question to
judge whether the advantages or the
disadvantages weigh most.
Theoretically, the single telephone
in its perfection would bring us the
pinnacle of verbal intercommunication
If we could have one telephone system
by which each telephone user could
talk to every other user with prompt
ness and facility and at reasonable
rates for the service, nothing more
could be desired. Two telephone in
struments to do the work which one
could do would be superAuity and
waste, as we'll as an annoyance.
The people of Omaha, however, are
confronted with a condition rather
than a theory. The complaints against
the present telephone system, ignoring
those of unsatisfactory service, which
prevail everywhere, are two-fold.
First, that it charges excessive rates.
Second. that il deprives us, in the ma
ture of things, of intercommunication
with large number of telephone users
on independent lines throughout the
state
On the question of rates, the pro-
posed new franchise makes some con-
cessions, guaranteeing full metallic in
diyidual line unlimited telephones at a
maximum of $3.50 per month. as
against SO per month now charged,
and full metallic individual line I'M
limited business telephones at a max
imum of IS per month, as against ST.
now charged. In addition to this the
new franchise provides for free con-
nections with South Omaha and roy
atty Of per cent on gross earnings to
the city. That this would be con-
siderable financial saving to the pub
lie, if it could be made effective upon
the present service, is self-evident.
But It is also the teaching of expert
enee in other cities where the dual
telephone system has been tried that
the installation OF second telephone
forces large portion of the telephone
subscribers, especially the business
and professional men, to use both tele-
phones, and that the charges upon this
portion Of the telephone clientage for
double rentals as a rule makes their
burden heavier, although, OF course,
with some compensation in the form
OF increased service.
With reference to the promise to
bring Omaha into Communication with
Independent telephone users outside of
Omaha, the management of the exist
ing telephone service In Omaha pro-
fesses willingness to connect up
with any outside system on mu-
tually satisfactory terms, unless
competing with one of its own ex-
changes. The larger number of in
dependents who have refused such con-
nections are in close relationship with
the independent systems barred out by
this proposition and bound by their
agreements with them not to accept
such an offer, regardless Of terms. We
therefore have this situation, that the
Independents. clamoring for communal
cation with Omaha. will consent to
communicate only through an indie
pendent telephone exchange. The ques-
ton, then. is simply whether OF not It
would pay Omaha to grant a second
telephone franchise for the purpose of
getting into closer touch, CONNER
oially. with users of independent tele-
phones in our trade territory. who can
Tot be reached By existing telephone
connections.
To the labOring men and nontele-
phone users the new franchise propo-
sition holds out the prospective In
vestment Of approximately $1,000, OOO
in the construction and equipment OF
a second plant This money would
be largely spent here and be distrib-
uted through local channels of busl-
ness. On the other side, 1t must be
remembered that capitalists would moi
invest this money unless they expected
to get It back and that the profit mus
come out Of the community which
their telephone system would serve.
Outside Of all this, the pending
franchise contest must be regarded al
one of the skiTmishes IN the gigantic
battle engagement going on over the
country for mastery between the
old entrenehed telephone interests anC
the new independent telephone com
panies Omaha is strategic point o.
highest importance on the telephone
, map. Its exclusive possession by the ex
, listing telephone system constitutes al
I almost insuperable obstacle In the wa