The Detroit times., 1913-12-11

service. however bad II Is, shall We
therefore, pay rate which the com
pany 10 gradually seeking TO Impose
upon us, or shall we do something &c
compel IL to accept q reasonable rare
and no claim has been made that II
is not reasonable now--and give ms
the very best service obtatnabie Tor
that money: That 10 the problem az
Issue. and II Is up tn Detroiters To
show how they want IL solved.
Ever since the merger grosses'
inefficienncy has knowingly been car
ried on--we say knowingly for In the
light of present developments therc II
but one Interpretation possible TO the
nished us--to disgust us with the old
method OF taxation, 10 educate US
into their new method. Is there any
doubt about this MOVE
The writer In extremely Interested
to learn how many thousand Of dollars
the telephone company is going 10
spend right now--money that should
have gone into better facilities--in us
advertising campaign that the separ-
alton process OF taking some or your
money and giving IL TO the company
IS really a distinct gain 10 you. Mr..
Telephone User.
How is il that the company did not
marshal together the eminent authori-
the time the Home was In existence
Was not the meter as good At that
time as II 10 now? Does IL not all
amount to very subtle way OF bully =
Ing and browbeating us into the pay
ment or more money on promise
simply that We may get something
better for it.
AS has been stated. the meter sys-
tenn means AN increase from 90 10
2S0co. Those who have used the
metered telephone know IL. The tele-
phone company know 1t more than
anybody else. They also know better
than anybody else how absolutely
rank their service has been and how
absolutely good Il could be made by
the application OF modern methods.
Aren't they getting enough right
nowy That is the important question.
III they maintain that they are not,
let them show up the books. Let their
property be valued by people other
than their own ACCOUNTANTS, Let them
show that the present toll system has
beggared them
Just watch what efforts and money
will be spent In educating you through
private epistles written by an adver-
Using man under the signature OF the
manager 10 induce you TO part with
more money than you have been
doing. Just watch,
II has been shown "a thousand times
and In thousand ways that the trou-
BILE In this city il much less with the
party wires than with the business
telephones. Our entire trouble Is
caused solely by the neglect. lnatten-
ton and inexperience OF the employees
Of the company helped and fostered
by system and facilities that are
either entirely Inadequate for our
needs or have been made inadequate
Intentionally for the purpose OF hold
Ing out that glorious meter as solu-
tion for our ills.
The meter means exactly what IL
stands for. 1t Is measurement OF
your privilege curtailment of it.
1t means exactly the same as IL you
were to try and benefit your wife by
advising her that hereafter she shall
have just SO much for living expenses
and no more. independent of her needs
and Requirements
Thre In far more important matter
at issue than the mere introduction
OF the meter or another kind OF toll
method. 1t In putting us to the test
whether We will permit company
that has a monopoly of public util-
ity to force US to accede to their terms
Independent OF our wishes and also
independent Of what In a reasonable
charge for what we are getting.
And the question TO be solved Ia:
Are you going 10 wait and make your
objection when the thing has been
forced down on you. or will you show
your teeth right now by concerted
action and protest?
Respectfully,
J. l. ELLMANS.