The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-11-19
The Telephone Situation.

No moYe'on the part of a public COM
pany has caused more discussion than
the recent decision of the Bell Telephone
Company to refuse service to customers
unless they contracted to pay for the
same on yearly basis, thereby taking out
all phones which are now paying on the
basis of so much per call.
The attitude of the Bell people Is en-
tirely different from that of several years
ago when the Bell lines were laid through
our streets and the company sought
privileges. Then the Company was not
the arrogant asserter, telling people what
they should and what they should not do
but, on the contrary, the corporation was
meek supplicant, getting all sorts of
privileges on promises which seem to have
been entirely forgotten. Not that they
were different from other corporations,
for they were foxy and they would send
one to the authorities one night and
week later another would appear and If
great care was not exercised, the two
would get their wires crossed on various
propositions.
An instance of this may be related. A
property owner offered $500 for a piece of
land adjoining his, belonging to the Bel
Company. 1t was not worth over half
that, but the wouldbe purchaser desired
to control 1t. One agent Thought the
proposition would 60 through as it was
good one" A week later another agent
came along ready to sign, seal and deliver,
with the proviso that the purchaser should
give the Company the perpetual right to
lay its underground wires through his
property. Something like the present
situation. The purchaser was asked to
pay $500 and give the company perpetual
right to run through all of his property,
digging up at will, to lay and arrange its
wires.
Property owners were approached for
the privilege of placing poles on private
lands, for there were many places where
the lines could not go under ground.
junction boxes must be put on buildings
and III convenient places, and there were
many little things that were of decided
benefit TO the company, which were
eagerly sought by the persistent agents,
promises then made would be kept.
Perhaps there has not been any inten-
ton to disregard pledges or to forget
favors. but insatiate greed to grasp the
almighty dollar and fill Golfers already
OVERLOOKING often cause lapse of mem
DRY. There is an old saying and true
one; Evil Is wrought from want of
thought as well as want of heart"
But the telephone company Is awaken
ing to the fact that the people of this
town are not all of the ''class ignoramus. I"
Since the announcement of the order
which will lose the company many good
customers, the corporation has discovered
that its system may be seriously impaired
Poles. boxes. wires across lands, and other
things may all have to be removed. They
realize the gravity of the situation and
will doubtless soon have their agents at
work trying to smooth out the wrinkles.
1t Is up to the people Be very careful
what you do and extraordinarily careful
what you sign. Remember you are deal
Ing with corporation that is not In bust
ness for your benefit or your pleasure
Do not let any sympathy lead you to grant
any more privileges that may be thrust
aside later. If they want to use your
lands or your property make them pay
well for the privilege. Do not be
squeamish in the matter. Show the COM
psny the same cold-blooded consideration
it displays towards you.
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