Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1907-10-18
Great Change In Bell Telephone
Policy.

The most important change in the
policy of the Bell Tel Co, for thirty
years has just been announced.
The report that the Western Electric
Co.. the concern that manufactures the
apparatus used by Bell companies would
hereafter sell telephones and supplies to
sll buyers, is confirmed by the presi-
dent, Theodore N. Vail. Of the Amer
lean Tel. 81 Tel Co; and President Vail
explained that the idea had been under
consideration for long time, but that
heretofore one difficulty had been that
the Western Electric Co., needed more
plant. its full energies being required
by the Bell companies alone. This
obstacle to doing general business has
been overcome by the recent completion
of very large additions to the Chicago
factory of the Western Electric CO.. and
hence it is now in a position to take
care Of outsike orders. lin reply to a
question as to the probable effect Of this
action on the revenue of the American
Tel. & Tel. Co. Mr.. Vail said that no
considerable direct increase was antici-
pated. but that great indirect advant
age was looked for from improved rela-
ions between the public and all OF the
associated Bell companies, because there
has been an entirely erroneous idea
more or less prevalent that the charges
Of these companies for their services
we're based on monopoly of telephone
instruments, while the fact is, that the
instrument is bnt small part Of the
plant required in giving telephone ser
vice It is felt that this action may
cause it to be more clearly understood
by the public that the Bell companies
only claim for patronage is based OF
: their ability to furnish the best seryic'
at reasonable prices aud not on any
, instrument monopoly. Mr. Vail en-
blamed that at the present time man!
inefficient telephone instruments are il
use on local and private lines, and tina
the Bell companies desire to see tnes'
| F0pldCtu Wy StHhHoiu Ano"' "AiS"S -
order that they may make traffic con
nections with the greatest possible mum
Der of properly equipped lines, assuring
nro,,a a, ea.va,44 end transmission. Fal
example. there are thousands of SC
, called Farmer Lines" which will tul
!, nish valuable feeders for the toll line
, of the larger system when properl
equipped and maintained. This sitnt
az ton can now be provided for throng
IL the sale outright of Bell instrument
i. and apparatus.
The answer to the question as
4 whether it was intended that the Yves
u ern Electric Co., should become an a
!" gressive competitor of the independel
r. manufacturers, who up to this tin
have had a monopoly OF the sellir
es trade, the only reply was that the BIZ
err interests We're fully prepared, eth
from the manufacturing or operatil
side Of the business. 10 meet all {
Il needs of the public, and that they wi
to demonstrate that they claimed
We asked no advantages other than the
-, ability To meet these needs under squa
:" competitive conditions of quality a
er price. There would be no trade W,
:, but any manufacturers who have be
=! getting higher prices for inferior goe
Ter under the old monopoly of the SELF
ON trade would naturally suffer the loss
business.