The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-02-07
Nursing a Viper.

NuA SHu4 wtPVAs
For some time past there has been
we'll founded rumor that the Diamond
State (Bell) Telephone Company pro.
posed in the near future to raise their
rates Id this county by curtailment Of
service to the local exchange for the
yearly rental charged.
Before the independent Cecil Farmers
company started operation the Diamond
States charge to the Mariner was $50 per
year. When it saw another company,
composed wholly of citizens otthe county,
had started to furnish service equal to
theirs, at an annual rental of SIS. the
Bell rate was lowered to SIG and promises
of all kinds made in the effort to block
the local company.
The Cecil Farmers company has made
application several times for franchise
to enter Elkton, but their application
each time has been turned down, the
Diamond State influence in that town
apparently dominating over all efforts to
allow the local company to enter the
county seat.
Some of the monopolistic Bell adher-
ents have now awakened to the realiza-
ton that they have been nursing viper
and are in fair way to get stnng
The following extracts from, the Cecil
Democrat and the West Grove Indepen
dent show the trend of affairs in the tel
ephone field where the Bell company
thinks it has competition throttled.
Meauwhile the Cecil Farmers company
continues to keep faith with its subscrib
ers aud develop its territory in Cecil
county outside of the county seat as
rapidly as its means will warrant, not
withstanding the opposition it has met by
the Bell company and some of the short
sighted citizens of the county:
From the Cecil Democrat
It's understood that the Diamond State Tele.
phone Company proposes in the near future to
require the citizens of Elkton--and we presume
other towns in the county as well-to pay extra
toll TOR all service outside the town limits At
present, and in fact ever since the company has
been doing business here, the phone rental
carried with it free service to all parts of the
county, except where an outside exchange, such
as Middletown, had to be used.
The Telephone Company has been granted
numerous privileges without charge, and many Of
the citizens individuals have granted permssions
that facilitated greatly the operations of the com
pany. In addition the subscriptions for phones
have been most liberal, until this'is regarded as
one OF the most remuneratiye of the Diamond
State districts
To pass an order curtaiing the privileges that
the subscribers have always understood they paid
for in the phone rental. will be a most unwise
move and probablya costly one on the part of the
Telephone Company
Resides such an eEder will be a distinct breach
Of faith A short time ago competitive line
sought TO gain entrance to EIkton and the Town
Council decided that in view of the annoyance OF
having two phones. the multiplication of poles
and wires upon the streets, and the satisfactory
service given by the established company, not to
grant the applicants the desired permission The
Council however, expressly stipulated al that
time that there should be raise Of Rites by the
Diamond State Company, which was readily
agreed to. This proposed order is in clear vio-
iation OF that agreement and viii be resented as
such