The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-31
IFrom the wichita Eagle


Every effort is being made and ev-
cry energy put forth by the Missouri
K Kansas Telephone company to get the
two companies trunked so that a uni
versal system can be in operation as
soon as possible. By noon yesterday
an air line connection had been eStab-
lished with the toll boards, but the
matter of connecting the switcnboards
SC that calls may be received on class
"a board. which is switchboard, is
far more intricate and difficult mat
ter. It may be so or 60 days before
his is accomplished. Yesterday the
chief engineer of the Bell system IN
person, with all his staff, were on the
ground, and they viii remain until eV-
cry detail of the complex and intricate
machinery is in full working order to-
ward establishing complete trunk line
connections between the two plants The
equipment for the IA board must ar
rive and the trenches dug, and the
oonduits laid to make the full connec-
ton.
This work Will be pushed as rapidly
as possible, and in the interim the same
conditions viii prevail as at present
exist Yesterday Mr.. Homer Montfort,
special agent of the publicity bureau of
the Missouri & Kansas Telephone com
pany, arrived in the city and together
with an Eagle representative called
upon a large number on" the leaning
business men CAPITALISTS and finan-
ciers and professional men of the city,
requesting a candid expression OF their
views on the consolidation or merger
so-called. do you prefer a single sys-
tenn than a dual system, other things
being eQuaI?" was the plain question
put In no case was there a negative
response. Naturally many tied a mod1-
tying string to the affirmative answer,
in that perfect or as nearly so as posi-
ble, service would be expected, and that
advantage of the monopoly should not
he taken by the Bell people, and ad-
vance rates beyond a reasonable figure.
This fear was allayed entirely in the
statements lucidly made in the Eagle
article Tuesday morning, with the IN
1ervieW with Superintendent McDan-
: iels, who fatty declared that the Ben
/ was wise enough not to court further
competition and coax back another
regime of a two-fold telephone war by
making exorbitant rates. 1t Is true
as Mr. Mcdaniel stated. and as Mr..
REontfort explained yesterday to every
business man interviewed, that rates
would be slightly increased, say to 81,
but now they are paying Sc for BOTH
Then, too. in effect 1t Will in the alb
Etract mean a reduction, since there VIII
be about 1000 subscribers on the one
line system. and one is getting his
moneys worth bysa little increase in
rates.
Many of those interviewed yesterday
said they would rather pay more, even
so much as SIS and have one system
than the annoyance of two Mr.. Mont
fort assured those spoken TO yesterday
that a new plant. including new hVe
story building on Market street, would
be erected, that 100000 would be ex-
rended to perfect the service; that al
ready Mr.. Armstrong has establishes
a school of instruction where girls viii
he thoroughly trained in the service IN
fact every expedient to improve and
perfect the service. These facts being
made known, there was not a single ex-
Dression of disapproval. but on the con-
frary there was a lively and enthus-
5estic appreciation expressed OF tho
condemnation. and the WEAKNESS OF
eight years of a two system situation
gives way to a huge sense of relIef
mat in the very near future Wichita,
like New York city: Portland, ore;
san Francisco. and the leading cities
Of the land, win have but one system
Of Telephones; that this system, while
having all the field. is governed and
controlled in it's maximum rate by law,
and city ordinance regulation; that the
e,e.rl1panv from a purely selhsh stand
7,odnt. has no notion of advancing rates
exorbitantly, thereby encouraging rum
rlIs competition again; but VIII adj
Vance only sufficiently to insure a sat
isfactory service, and make a falr pro-
At whereas for years they nave .oeen
wording at a serious loss
Many Yesterday voluntarily spoke or
4he highly efficient service of the Bell
8he past year, of the accommodating