Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-20
CHANGE IN PHONE COMPANY
Negotiations Involving Independent
Plant Are Finally Concluded.
EASTERN SYNDICATE CONTROLS
Announcement is Made that Change
Brings TO the Company Ample
Funds 70 Carry Out Devel-
opment Plans.

The change Of ontrol Of the Independent
Telephone company has been officially an
nounced as an accomplished fact.
1t has been known for some time that
such a deal was under way and It has been
understood that the company would pass
into the hands Of the men who control the
Automatic Electric company. which man
ufactured tho equipment used by the local
system, and to the Armour interests.
President Harris Of the Automatic Elec-
trio company has been in the city for some
days investigating the local concern, and
the following announcement In regard to
the change Of control has been made by
Attorney A. f. Wilson of his legal depart
ment:
The eastern capitalists who have been
for some time investigating the conditions
Of the Independent Telephone company OF
Omaha finally took action Saturday night.
On that day at the Rome hotel a meeting
of the stockholders of the company was
held, and Immediately following It a meet
ing Of the board of directors. These two
meetings resulted in the election Of a new
board OF directors. consisting of w. c.
Billiard of Omaha, F. F. Graves Of Los
Angeles, Cal, and Frank z. Ebersole of
Portland, Me.
"The directors elected as the new officers
OF the company: Frank e. Ebersole, presi-
dent; w. c. Bullard. vice president and
treasurer; Benjamin S. Baker, the former
incumbent, retained his office as secretary.
THE purpose of this change of manage.
ment was to have the affairs of the COM
pany put into shape for quick action, the
action contemplated being the putting OF
all the company's affairs into the possession
of the eastern syndicate, which is to fur.
nish new funds for the enterprise. so. that
up TO the present time all work looking
to a reorganization has been merely pre-.
liminary.
1.-THE final steps will probably be taken in
about a week. After the conditions in
Omaha have been explained to the syndi.
cate, and the interests of the various
members of the syndicate and the actual
amount Of money needed has been definitely
determined, action will be taken at once.
Field Looks Good.
III. Joseph Harris. who has been here fol
the last two days and upon whose decision
the contemplated refinancing of the com
pany depended, is the president of the Au'
tomato Electric company of Chicago. He
is also a director in the Illinois TUNE
company, the Illinois Surety company and
many other large corporate interests ir
the east. Mr.. Harris announces himseli
as overwhelmed with the possibilities II
the way of telephoLs development In thu
city of Omaha, owing TO its location. IT.
railroad connections, it's nearness to 'larg,
cities and the populous and rapidly de
v~eloping country, of which it is the center
TT is the intention of the eastern par
ties to bring the number of SUBSCRIBE
stations in Omaha up to 10000 within
year, and up to 1900 within two years
The city of South Omaha is to be built AM
developed Immediately, as well as the sub
urban towns of Benson, Florence and Dun
dee. Long distance connections will b
made at once, and it is confidently be
lieyed that within two years it will b
possible for the Omaha subscribers to tall
over independent long distance lines reach
ing points over 500 miles distant east, west
north and south OF the city"
Asked IL there was any doubt a
to sufficient funds being available 70
I these extensive developments, Mr.. Harri
said most emphatically: mo. The fund
are not only arranged for, but are actual
available at once, and the only delay fror
I now until the time that construction wor
, begins will be that consumed in the neces
sary adjustment of the various interest
of the members of the syndicate"
! 1t is also the purpose of the syndicate t
! see that the company is made more trul
E a home enterprise. The board of director
, will in the near future be largely increase
4 and representative business men of Oman
, will be invited to become directors.