The log cabin Democrat., 1912-09-05
COMPANY TAKING
SUBSCRIBERS VOTE
WOULD REBUILD SYSTEM
REPRESENTATIVES PROMI
IMPROVED SERVICE IF IN
CREASE is AGREED TO.

Efforts upon the part of represen-
tatives OF the Southwestern Tele-
phone & Telegraph Company to Sc
cure the consent Of local phone sub
safibers to an increase in telephona
rentals IN return for improved sery-
ne were resented al meeting OF the
directors OF the Conway Board OF
Trade this morning. Resolutions
were adopted declaring the present
schedule of rates sufficiently high to
Justify an improved service, and re-
questing all citizens not to sign an
agreement for an increased rate.
Special Agent P. R. Ridgely and
District Commercial Agent C. Stout
OF the Southwestern company, with
headquarters at Little Rock, are here
to ascertain whether the companys
subscribers desire a modern and eff
ficlent telephone service at increased
rates ranging from 10 to SO l-3 per
cent. An agreement is being present
ed to the subscribers, in which the inn
provements contemplated are set
forth and the new rates stipulated.
Under the proposed rates the
monthly charge for business tele-
phones would be 1915 and for resi-
dence telephones $500 or against
$500 for business and $50 for resi-
dence phones at present. Under the
new rates, however, no additional
charge would be made for desk sets.
which now cost so cents month ex-
ira, so that the increase to users of
desk outfits would be only 25 cents
for business houses and nothing for
residences. The new rates also pro-
vides for party" lines, for which
charge of $3.50 for residences and
S2.25 for business houses would be
made. Extension telephones would
cost rs cents each for business houses
and 90 cents for residences.
The improvements contemplate
practically rebuilding the entire sys-
TEN, using cables instead of open
wires, metallic circuits to each phone
instead of ground" return the re-
movai of poles from streets and set
ting themin alleys, new switchboards.
etc.
1T is entirely immaterial with the
company whether the subscribers ac-
cept the agreement or not" said Mr..
Ridgely today. "We are getting a
better return on our investment at
the present rates and with the pres
ent service than we could by rebuild
ing the plant and making a slight in
crease in the rates. With us it is on
ly a question of what the subscribers
desire. If they are satisfied with con-
ditions as they now are We are entire
ly willing to make no change. I be-
lieve Conway is entitled to a better
service, but this cannot be given with
out some increase in the revenue, and
| think majority of our patrons will
see the justice of our position"
The meeting of the. Board of Trade
was hurriedly called this morning
when officers of the organization
learned of the action of the telephone
officials. The protest against the
proposed increase embodied in the fol-
lowing resolutions, were unanimously
adopted:
Resolved that the service rendered
by the local telephone system is not
such as to justify an agreement or
contract on the part of subscribers to
pay more than the present rates for
an up-to-date service; that our rates
are sufficiently high to pay all the ex-
penses and liberal profit on the in
vestment for thoroughly renovated
and up-to-date telephone service.
Resolved, that we urge all citizens
and subscribers to not sign any agree
ment to pay increased rates for their
phones and where they have signed
such agreement that they have their
names removed therefrom"
Referring to this matter this after
noon Secretary G. l.. Bahner said
the raise was not justified on any
grounds and an improved service