The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-16

Third. the Bell apparatus is inferior TO
that OF the independent companies.
Fourth, the Independent companies are
able TO purchase equipment outright for
what the Ben companies are compelled to
pay in rentals.
Fifth. the Independent companies are
growing much more rapidly In competing
fields than the Bell companies.
sixth. I'm many places the independent
lines exceed IN mileage and their service
eNcels in quality the mileage and service
OF the Bell company,
THE lowest price now charged for a
residence telephone In Providence is S25
year for limited number of calls. al
lowing only little more than one and a
half calls daily. The Home company for
the same price furnished a half-hours
conversation twice daily.
There are no police or flre-alarm sig
nails connected with the telephone system
in Providence, although for a slight ex
pense instantaneous alarm connections
with both police and fire departments
could be installed
Another thing unknown TO local tele-
phone users is the microphone, by which a
house Is wired in as many places as may
be desired. and a light, portable inStru-
ment furnished by which a visit to the
fixed instrument is made unnecessary
whenever a call is to be responded to"
You mention the Bell interests" said
Mayor Mccarthy" will you agree not 10
consolidate with any other interests?"
Yes, we will agree 10 that" he said.
I'VE will. OF course, have 10 make ar
rangements FOR n long distance service to
Boston. There will be no consolidation OF
any kind, however. We will put the pro-
vision for forfeiture into our franchise"
What is to prevent your company from
transferring it's franchise to n new COM
pany to be organized subsequently," ask
ed the mayor.
Walter IL. Barney, associate counsel,
said the franchise was by its terms grant
ed only TO the Home company. and not TO
the company and its assignees and. there
fore, could not be transferred
Judge Lee then read the names OF the
directors.
r.. Maxwell Eaton. secretary OF the In
dependent Telephone association of New
YORK, made statement OF the working
OF dual telephone system i'm the commu-
mites of western New York, and an ex-
pianation OF the measured service and
Mr.. Eaton ridiculed the objection raised
10 the dual system. that two telephones
would be a nuisance declaring that ii
would be laughed at as absurd In his
home country. Competition. he said.
brought three advantages to every tec-
phone subscriber OF either company: In
creased service, better service and lower
rates.
There is no city I'm the country where
the cost OF two telephones Is greater than
the cost OF one before the introduction OF
said Mr.. Eaton.
He made demonstration OF the selec-
tive party system, which prevents the
calling OF any subscriber on a party line
except the one wanted.
James A. Williams, Esq, who spoke as
one Of the signers of the Home Telephone
petition, attacked the Provi-
dence Telephone company. IF there ever
was heartless. soulless nsolent monop-
oily" he said. "the Providence Telephone
company is one.
II believe that an unbrdled and unre-
strained monopoly Is an outrage upon any
civilized community Every monopoly
must be treated In one of two ways 1t
must either be bridled and saddled with
the people I'm the saddle and holding the
relns. or il must have just. fair and hon.
est competition put up against II, in
which latter case il ceases TO be q monop-
oily, II must be ruled absolutely or 1t will
rule.
My experience has been the expert
ence of hundreds OF telephone subscribers
I'm this city. The powers that be have not
thrown around the Providence Telephone
any restraints or limitations
They carry on their high-handed robbery
in broad daylight. and |. for one. am in
favor of letting in competition. other cit
les pay less than we for this service. and
we are entitled to better treatment at the
hands of this monopoly.
MY voice shall be from this time on
for honest competition. If we do not get
fair treatment at the hands of our ser
wants in this city hall we will choose 9TH
ers who will hear and listen to their mas
ter's voice"
This afternoon Ray Manson. electrical
expert, spoke at the hearing held at
o'clock.