The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1907-10-17
GAN now BUY
BELL PHONES
Western Electric Co. IN Position TO
Furnish Instruments TO Out
side Purchasers.

'l SLUG 1urCtuserc.
An important change in the policy
for thirty years of The Bell Teic-
phone Companies has been made
known When questioned regard
ing the report that the Western Elec-
tric Company. the concern that
manufactures the apparatus used by
the Bell companies, would hereafter
homes and supplies TO all
buyers, President Theodore N. Vail.
OF the American Telephone & Tele-
graph Company. confirmed this re-
port. He explained that the idea
had been under consideration for
long time, hut that heretofore one
difficulty had been that the Western
Electric Company needed moro
plant, It's full energies being requlr-
ed to supply the demand of the Bell
companies alone.
This obstacle to doing a general
business has been overcome by the
recent completion OF very large adj
ditions TO the Chicago factory OF the
Western Electric Company and
hence It is now in position to take
care Of outside orders. In reply to
question as to the probable effect
OF this action on the revenues OF the
American Telephone q Telegraph
Company. Mr.. Vail said that no con-
siderable direct increase was antici-
pated, but that great indirect ad-
vantage was looked for from im-
proved relation between the public
ana all or the associated Bell conn
panies because there has been an
entirely erroneous idea more or less
prevalent that the charges Of these
companies for their services were
based on monopoly OF telephone
instruments while the fact. is, that
the instrument Is but a small part
of the plant required in giving tele-
phone service ~
1t Is felt that this action may
cause 1T to be more clearly under
stood by the public that the Bel.
companies's only claim for patron
age Is based on their ability to fur
nish the best service at reasonable
prices and not on any instrument
monopoly. Mr.. Vail explained that.
at the present time, many inefficient
telephone instruments are in use ON
local and party lines and that tn.
Bell companies desire to see these re-
placed by standard instruments, in
order that 1t may make traffic con-
nections with the greatest possible
number OF properly equipped lines.
assuring proper service and trans
mission.
For example. there are thousands
so-calied farmers, lines. which Will
furnish valuable feeders for the Toll
lines Of the larger system. when
properly equipped and maintained.
This situation can now be provided
for through the sale outright of Bell
instruments and apparatus.
In answer to the question as TO
whether 1t was intended that the
Western Electric Company should
become an aggressive competitor Of
the independent manufacturers, who,
up to this time, have had monopoly
q the selling trade, the only reply
vas That the Bell Interests were fu,-
" prepared either from the manu-
featuring or operating side of the
business to meet all the needs of :ha
pabTic and that they Wish to icmrn-
strate that they claimed or asked no
advantages other than their ability
to meet those needs under square
competitive conditions Of quality and
peice. There could be NO trade we-,
hut any manufacturers who have
been getting high prices for inferior
goods under that old monopoly ef
the selling trade would naturally
suffer loss OF business.
Judge Brannon. of the State
I