The Glenwood post., 1907-03-16
IS NOT FIGHTING
LOCAL COMPANY
Desires Cooperation Which will
Prove of Mutual Benefit

W. S. Parkison, local manager of
the Colorado Telephone company, is
in eceipt of the following letter from
E. NJ. Burgess. general manager of
the company which clearly explains
the company's attitude in regard to
the local controversy. The letter was
written as private communication
to Mr.. Parkison but the Post has in
duced him to permit its publication
since we believe it contains informa-
tion of more than passing interest to
our readers:
Denver, March 10, 1907
Mr.. W. s. Parkison, Exchange Man
ager, Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Dear Sir:-Replying to your favor
Of March sth, | note what You have
stated, also the newspaper copies you
sent me-. Somebody seems to be try
ing to stir up fight right at the
start l want to say that it is a matter
with which we will have nothing to
do.
We have always maintained that
two telephone companies in one town
are public nuisance and an added
expense to the citizen; we still be-
lieve that this is absolutely true.
Owing to the fact that portion of the
country tributary to Glenwood mas
been occupied by the Garfield County
Telephone company and Glenwood,
itself, being occupied by The Colo
rado Telephone company, there is only
one way to give comprehensive tel
ephone service
That is, we must work together
with the Garfield County company and
it is our aim and desire to meet them
in any fair way that will give the
citizens of Garfield county complete
and satisfactory service without hav
ing to pay for two telephones.
One proposition is that the trunk
line or lines of the Garfield County
company be connected to our Glen
wood switchboard and operated by us
at no expense to them, so that all the
subscribers of the Garfield County
company can have free service with
those of The Colorado Telephone com
pany at Glenwood and vice versa.
This is the proposition made to the
Garfield company about year ago,
come ection being made, which they
caused to be severed for some reason
never was able to learn.
To my mind this proposition is
feasible and something that can be
handled without any expense on their
side and something that will give the
public what they want without in
creasing their expense, or having the
nuisance of two telephones.
wish you would let the Garfield
County Telephone company know that
this is our attitude. and. also as many
If your friends and citizens in Glen
wood Springs as you are able to see.
We want all to know that we are not
the 'Dog in the Manger'' and if the
Glenwood Springs people want two
telephone systems it is up to them
we have no objection. We have tried
to prevent two telephone systems in
the past, but simply because we be
iieve that it is not to the best inter
ests OF any town. AS you know it
will make very little difference with
onr business, as the only profit we
make is our toll business in the sum
lner tire from your tourists to differ
ent points in Colorado; the local bus
mess is losing proposition, although
if your county continues to grow and
the company in the field has sufficient
money to properly develop it, it will
some day be good investment, but
you must hear in mind that the com
pany in the field must have ample
means to keep up with the times and
develop with the growth of your coun,
ty.
The town marshal and council tax
ing the action they have in regard to
he extension of the Garfield County
line has brought just the results l an
ticipated. and l am very sorry indeed
that my suggestions that no objections
whatever be made by either yourself
OF our friends, we're not carried out.
l hope to see you within 3 week or
so, when | will be glad to talk with
any of the people Interested, relative
to the proposition l have mentioned,
but as to preventing the Garfield
County Telephone company flom OBJ
tanning franchise or building addi
tional plant In Glenwood Springs |
shall have nothing to say except as l
first stated, two telephone systems in
a town are nuisance and an addi-
tional burden to the public.
Yours truly.
E. M. BURGESS,