The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-08-28
MUTUAL RELATIONS AND INTEREST
OF THE BELL SYSTEM AND THE PUBLIC

oeAeos aucStAouink tne puICnAbe Oh GER
tain telephone properties In the north
west as well as the pending interstats
commerce commission telephone In.
vestigation. have caused many inquir-
les. Without taking up anything GO
ing to the merits OF these proceeding.
IL has seemed TO us proper to state
generally what has been our policy
and purpose I'm the conduct OF our
business.
We have found. or thought that we
had. that our interests we're best
served when the public interests were
best served: and we believe that such
success as we have had has been he
cause our business has been conduct.
ed on these lines.
We believe that our company has an
interest as vital as that OF the public
In the proper administration OF the
problems OF electrical inter-communi-
cation. The success and prosperity OF
our company depend upon q solution
Of these problems which shall be
sound from both the standpoint OF the
company and the public which II
serves
Following our own best Judgment,
supplemented by the best obtainable
advice. we have endeavored TO do what
would best serve the public interest:
wherever possible our plans have been
disclosed to the public in advance. and
what has been done in carrying them
cut has been along ordinary business
lines. with the implied. and generally.
With the expressed approval. authort-
ration or consent OF the municipal and
state authorities directly interested.
Our effort has been not only to obey
the law but to avoid everything which
might even have the appearance Of an
attempt at evasion.
Our business methods and policy.
and practically all OF the details as 10
the transaction OF our business. are
matters OF common knowledge and
are. and for many years have been.
we'll known to the government. We
Will willingly furnish the government
any additional information which IL in
cur possession or under our control.
and will cordially cooperate with 1t in
obtaining such further Information as,
il may require. Every possible assist
ance will be given by us to the courts
in their effort TO determine whether
our policy is or has been inimical TO
the public interest. We desire that
snything wrong be corrected; We will
voluntarily rectify any wrong that
may be pointed out to US; and, 80 far
az IL may be determined that our
policy or any act under Il is against
the public interest. we will promptly
conform to such determination
We believe that ~ each OF our er-
changes were made an independent
unit and 10 each connecting line were
put under a separate control. the ef'
feet upon the telephone service Of the
country would be a condition SO intoi-
cradle that the public would refuse TO
submit to It and would Immediately
require such physical connection and
common control OF these various units
as would amalgsmate them into
single system. Physical connection
in the case Of telephone or tele grapn
does not mean transfer OF messages
from one line 10 the other. II means
such a connection as will permit one
person to have the actual possession
OF the particular line OF communics-
ton from one end OF IL 20 the other.
and this can only be given efficiently
by exchange systems and connecting
lines under a common control; ana
that f. what The Bell System f.
In this come elton. and for general
information. re will restats the poi
icy which controlled the building up
Of the Bell System. and our belief as
20 what telephone system should
be. and what are its relations TO the
public.
We believe In and were the hrst 20
advocate state or government conyroi
and regulation OF public utilities:
that this control or regulation should
be BY permanent quasi judicial bodies.
aCfink dItff tLOEbNku luNttIAsAlApu
and governed by the equities 81 escn
case. and that this control or regu-
lation. beyond requiring the greatest
efficiency and economy. should not
interfere with management or opera
ton. We believe that these bodies
n they are 90 be permanent. e1s,.
tive and 81 public benent. should 10
thoroughly representative. they
should b. % such character ana
should 80 conduct their invesuzs-
lions and deliberations a. 20 com
Inand such respect from both The
public and the corporations that both
viii without question accept their
conclusions.
Va believe that the public would
in this way get all tho advantage
snd svoi. IN the manifest dissdvan-
,brss % public ownership
We believe that osBtsrs ~ bust
ness and population sHist for the con. .
,snienoe ~ The public A. whole.
and that no such center can prosper