Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-25

places where public authorities de-
mand the restoration of the connec-
tons, thus severed, the government
declares, all interstate messages were
sent by the Bell Cos, over their own
lines except where the senders speci-
fically requested that they be sent by
the Northwestern.
Even in the latter cases. it is al
legged the delivery of the messages to
the Northwestern was delayed and
frequently patrons of the Northwest
ern were told that that company did
not serve certain points which in fact
il did reach. Thus encouraging indie
pendents to violate their contracts
with the Northwestern, ii is charged
that Bell Cos, in some instances agree
to pay attorneys fees and other ex-
penses incurred through possible liti-
cation.
ACQUISITION by Bell interests of the
independent Telephone Co., of Seattle
a link in the Northwestern system, ii
is added, destroyed competition in
that city. The stock and bonds of
this concern were bought Oct. %
1910, although it is alleged the trans
fer was kept from the public, until
March /, 1872, when the physical prop
critics of the concern was conveyed to
Bell interests.
The bill recites the sale to the Bell in
terests for $3.50, 900 of the Home Tele-
phone Co. of Puget Sound, although the
company was appraised at s2,92I,152 This
concern it is alleged, was acquired at q
foreclosure sale through contract witt
William Mead. controlling a majority o
| the stock of the Home. Mead, who or
ganized committee with himself at TIN
head to represent holders of Sl,3l7GO0 o
the bonds of the Home, is said to hav
| represented to the bondhoderS that tn
! property was not worth the amount o
their bonds and that it would be bette
I for him not to bid in their behalf at tn
! foreclosure sale 1t is alleged he con
/ tracted with the Bell interests not to BIZ
! at the sale on behalf of tne bondholder
and suffered the property to go to tn
combination, receiving for his services. /
is declared, $4,000 and the conveyance o
certain property interest valued at SIS.
coo To the National Securities Co., owne
chiefly by himself.
I Mead as treasurer of the Northwest
ern Co. is alleged to have entered int
! an agreement with the Bell Cos. to pro
! cure for them control at least OF two
J thirds of the stocks and bonds and tn
. physical properties of the Northwestern
ITO this end and in order to affor
ground for foreclosure sale. Mead
the bill adds, failed to pay the interes
| due in April and October, 1911, upon tn
eompanys bonds. although he had sui
i. ficent funds to do so. but instead o
using them for that purpose he appfe
them to the payment of a nalleged clair
of his against the company. For hi
services In this regard the Bell Cos
agreed to pay him about $4,000, part o
, which was to be withheld until they hal
| received title TO the property of tn
| Northwestern Co. through the foreclos
ure proceedings to be Instituted IN con
sequence of the default mentioned"
Two-thirds of the s63OeO capital stoc
of the Northwestern and all of its bonds
/ valued at $4,000. have been sold to tn
| Bell interests. 1t is said, for 5000. 900. Th
little Insurance & Trust Co, it is added
has taken possession of the physico
property of the Northwestern co. at
commenced foreclosure actions in ordel
it is alleged. that the acquisition by tn
+, Bell Cos OF the property OF the North
western might have the appearance {
judicial sanction