The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-09-24
Great Complaint of the Bell i'm Idaho

on duty; A fire broke out in q part
OF o, the city distant from an alarm box
Inc people ran here and there trying
to call central from different phones,
pnt TO no avail. The glare of the light
OF the buzz on her switchboard did not
serve to arouse her. The building was
consumed IN Difference to a faulty tcle
phone system.
NO Concession for Failure.
The patrons who paid for the service
WIN the end IN view OF having il for
use In times of leisure as well as of
emergency. were cheated. The monthly
niil came IN just the same. No evidence
OF human justice. No remuneration
Tor failure 10 receive the service paid
Tor. IL is the cold, clammy, iron hearted
impulse OF arrogance, OF avarice and
greed; devoid of the rights of the pub
nc whose official representatives have
granted franchises in lieu of tho e4-
pectatlon of public service, based on
tnc law of justice, of equity and fair
dealing. between a public service and
snG s private o, citizen, The corporation
sails along in the perfect enjoyment of
It's franchise and the citizen who sub
scribes, pays whatever lie is required,
devoid of legislative restriction. the
same AS though tho service was fair,
prompt and complete
Public sentiment in Idaho is we'll
aroused over this culpablc corporation
l nave been appriscd of its shortcom-
lngs In the various communities Of the
state 10 an extent which indicatcs the
necessity for some remedial legislation
which will force respect from the
Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone com
pany other than the selfish disregard
OF the rights Of the patronlzing public
10 / would not fairly reflect the senti
ment Of the Republican and the Demo.
cratic state committees in session here
tins week If ] failed to refer to the ex-
presslons of regret at the faulty scrv-
Ice of the Rocky Mountain Bell Tele-
phone company.
Neglected Service,
A member Of the Democratic commit.
tee from Bear Lake county voluntarily
ADVISED me Yesterday that there was
general dissatisfaction at Montpelier
over the neglected service of the Rocky
Mountain Bell Telephone company at
that place. He referred to the old. cast
OH equipment in use there, and TO the
utter disregard of the company As to
the rights of the people Of that local.
ity.
gentleman present at the state
meeting. interested in the Republican
platform, and party, told me that the
service ana the pollcY OF the Rocky
Mountain Bell Telephone company were
subjects Of the severcst criticism in mis-
locality and that restrictive legislation
as TO this dominant concern would be
hailed with delight.
These are but reflections on the side
of the public sentiment which ! have
heard expressed over southrn Idaho
during my periodical journey in a study
Of the feelings Of the people on public
questions affecting their inalienable
rights.
The 1911 legislative assembly will
probably do business with this cor
poraton in Idaho which will compel
them 10 respect the rights of the indi
yidual which he hesitates TODAY to call
to the attention Of courts and Of iurics,
owing to the slight sum Of money in
volvcd.
Only a soulless corporation would
take such an advantage of this situa
ton.