Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-11-13
FARMERS, IN MEETING, TAKE
STEPS TO COMBINE PHONE
INTERESTS.
TO APPOINT COMMITTEE
TO LAY FOUNDATION
Second Meeting to Be Held in Short
Time, When It is Expected More
Definite Stops Will Be Taken-Farm-
ers Aroused to Demand Better Ser.
vice and Terms Moro to Their Liking.

Close to 100 farmers, representing a
score and a half of the rural telephone
lines of the county, met in the west
court room of the court house this aft
ernoon, and took the initial steps
which are expected to result In the
organization of county rural
telephone company. Its purpose, as
openly expressed in the meeting, will
be for common defense and mutual
protection"
The first step taken was the passing
of a motion for the temporary chair
man, r. ID. Dennis. of Albion. to appoin;
committee of five to draft resolutions
and constitution and bylaws TO be
submitted to a future meeting. which
is to be called by Mr.. Dennis. of rep
resentatives of all of the rural lines
that wish to be merged in the county
organization. MIR. Dennis said he would
take a day or two to select the COM
mittee
Farmers Are Aroused.
There was no mistaking the senu-
ment of the meeting as being thor
oughly aroused to point of action to
secure better telephone service, and
to have a cooperative basis upon which
to fight what was termed as the
"gouging policy" of the Marshall Tele-
phone Company. When a standing
vote was called for as an expression
of the sentiment favoring county
wide organization, pracvtically every
one in the room got up. There was also
no possibility of mistakng the senti-
Trent that very many of the farmers
are sore" at the telephone company
for alleged abuses, chief among which
they claim Is poor service.
Two Plans Proposed.
Just what the developments os &
county wide farmers phone organiza-
ton may bring about remains for the
future to develop. Two plans were pro-
posed at the meeting this afternoon.
The first of these was to establish GEN.
trail exchanges in a group of towns
circling this city. such as Albion, Ma
rietta, Melbourne, Laurel, Dillon,
Green Mountain, and Liscomb. into
which all Of the rural phones in the
country contiguous to each town would
center, and to have all of these towns
connected with each other with indie
pendent lines. This scheme would make
possible all OF these towns being con-
nected with all Of the others without
the necessity Of coming thru the ex-
change OF the Marshall Telephone
Company.
Want Exchange Hero.
Another plan presented was for the
establishment of a cooperative central
and exchange in this city. into which
all of the rural lines would run, and
thru which all their business would be
exchanged. Also for the organization
of a telephone company in this city to
make connections with the farmers
lines. The latter plan contemplated the
securing of franchise. which it was
stated could be obtained within ninety
days.
Believe In Force Of Numbers.
According to the sentiment expressed
what the farmers want. first of all, is
countrywide organization. with one
governing body. which will have ap-
thority to establish business basis for
all of the rural linse of the county.
With such an organization the farmers
believe they can speedily come to terms
with the Marshall Telephone Company.
or if that is not possible, they will
have an organization which will be
able to furnish an inducement for an
other company to do business with
them within the city's limits.