The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1908-09-09
THE TELEPHONE COMPANY'S SIDE OF IT

crease in the number OF instruments.
1--WE very much hope that every
one will, after this very full eXplana-
ton. see the justice of the much
needed change, and will offer no OBJ
lection thereto. SHOULD YOU BE
UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THE
PROPOSED CHANGE PLEASE NO
THY THE MANAGER, MR.. SLADE.
We will be some time, several weeks,
in making all changes, and will not
make the change in price until all
changes are accomplished, but for
the reasons above outlined all must
accept the improved circuit If a con-
tinuatiOn of service is wanted, as we
can not feel that we are treating
more than two-thirds of our patrons
Justly if a continuation of the mixed
service is longer permitted. Re
spectfully.
"GA.-ALA. TELEPHONE CO."
1t will be seen by this letter that
every one was put on notice and
good reasons given for making the
indicated changes. Each was asked
to give us immediate notice if the
change was not wanted, but was told
that a mixed system would not be
longer tolerated. as it is unjust to
more than twO-thirds of the patrons
who were paying for something
which could not be fully furnished
them under the situation then exist
ing. With the exception of two or
three not a word was said against
the proposition. We therefore went
forward at considerable expense and
made all the changes, and most of
the 50 grounded circuit subscribers
have had already several weeks of
the improved service without extra
charge. We promised not to make
the necessary change of rates to
these subscribers until all was done.
We did not. But when We do we
are brought face to face with de-
termined fight to force us to furnish
the improved service for rates which
could only lead to failure. I wish
very much it were possible to give
the service even at lower rate than
that demanded, but I am sure those
who are leading this antagonism
would not for a moment entertain
the thought of working for others
without reasonable remuneration
Then why ask such of another.
Seven years ago | bought the DaW-
son telephone interest when every
one else regarded it lightly There
were only short dilapidated poles
and poorly strung wire, the proprie-
tor at that time even using the city's
poles for private use. The system
was depreciating rapidly, the service
was poor, there were almost no
country lines, and the two or three
short ones existing were dilapidated
and very unsatisfactory. | at once
began to improve the system as rap
idly as possible, and proceeded to
secure connections with all the sur
rounding towns and villages, thus
adding materially to the convenience
not only of these places, but not a
little to the trade possibilities of
Dawson. Wherever a line has been
run there has been added property
value, thus increasing tax values.
| became about the same time in
terested in the telephone systems of
two other prominent towns, and
finally brought from these towns
very close to SIS, 900, all of which
was invested in Dawson and Terrell
county, thus increasing property and
tax values among these people.
I am only asking my patrons to
pay something in the neighborhood
of those in similar towns. More is
charged in Americas, Albany, Eufau-
| la, cambridge, and exactly the same
! in Union Springs, Ala, a smaller
town, and where there is not by quite
a deal any such system as Dawson
now enjoys, there being in the latter
! town less than half the number of
subscribers we have and no such con-
structiOn as that here. There is not
in Georgia a town of the size of Daw-
son with an exchange which surpass-
es ours, and but very few the equal
! thereof. | only ask such rates as !
| believe will give a fair return on my
| investment. Only the man who has
| had experience in this business can
| form a definite idea as to the ex-
! pense of maintaining a telephone
system and furnishing the service de
handed. When we had but $50
! subscribers we were able to get alone
with the one lady operator and one
to two men or boys. Now, with but
little more than double this number
We have five to six lady operators
! at increased salaries, and two men
regularly with much higher salaries
! besides frequent day laborers. The
cost of poles, wire and other ma
terials show like increased cost.
Simple justice is all | ask. l have
] simply written this communication
as explained in the outset that every
one may judge for himself who il
practicing the imposition. Respect
fully, J. G. DEAN.