The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-05

considered. He emphasized the point that there was great convenience in having two telephone companies in operation Every man who has both phones could, when one was in use, pick up the other.
 Alderman Heidt said that as MT. Gray was not present it would be better to let the matter go over two weeks. He in- sisted that action should be postponed of Mir Gray is not present at the next meeting" said MT. Heidt, then the peti- tion will be acted on
 The Mayor remarked that MT. Gray knew that this meeting was to be held.
 Alderman John v. O'Neill said that the Grocers' association had adopted reso- lutions of protest. He said that one phone service was better for facilitating business than two services.
 MT. Gray Appears.
 After the committees had been in ses- sion about a half hour MT. Gray appear ed. He would have been on hand prompt ly but got the time mixed At first MT. Gray remarked that he had nothing to say.
 The chairman rehearsed the substance of The discussions and then MT. Gray made a speech in behalf of the petition of the Peoples company. MT. Gray called attention to the fact that the expense of operating had increased owing to the increase cost of labor. "The service of the Bell company was so bad, said MT. Gray that only after giving banquets did it succeed in quelling opposition. Now our company simply comes and says IL will have to charge more in order to live. No one is compelled to use the Peoples phone. It is not necessary to have both.
 MT. Gentry of the Bell company told the Mayor that the Peoples could not live on it's present rates. I want only fair treatment. I want nothing that is unfair. I do not want1to see any business broken down I do not see how any one can oppose oup petition unless he is paid b5' the opposition. to do so. The telephone business is the only business that l know where the rates of cost of operation in- creases with the expansion of business. It costs five times as much to operate the telephone service in New York as it does here; the larger the traffic the higher the rates. I am surprised that the Bell company has not put up it's rates in Bes- semer because the maintenance of a service that far out adds greatly to the cost"
 MT. Gray continued and maintained that competition would result in better service.
 TomIinson Again.
 Colonel Tomlinson said: Personally would like to see MT. Gray have what ever he wants but l am present to repre- sent 15O subscribers. Citizens have pre- scented petition of protest. The Peoples company entered into a contract with the city regarding rates and the city has no right to change this contract to the de- trment of the citizens. This contract is not mater of sentiment but merely a matter of business.
 Those persons for whom I speak do not want two telephones But aside from that here is the contract and it would not be right to cancel that contract"
 Mir. Gray said he thought equity and honesty would not be bad policy. He said further that his company did not intend to increase rates in the residence section.
 W. H. Hassenger made short talk in behalf of the Peoples company He thought it was only right that this con cern should have the same show that was accorded q foreign corporation.
 Local Capital.
 In reply to a question as to whether the majority of the stock of the Peoples com pany was held in Birmingham MT. Gray said that majority was not local, but that a considerable minority was held here He said that not dollar of local capital was represented In the Bell com pany Not only was there no Birming- ham money invested in the Bell company. said MT, Gray. but so far as he knew there was no Alabama money. no south ern money. as for that matter, in the Bell company. He said further that he wished it clearly understood he did nor want to do the Bell company any ,njus- tice T take the Bell phone and I pay for it. said Mir. Gray. At my office in the Peoples Saving bank. I take both phones At my residence I take both