Graham guardian., 1913-12-05

into the treasury of our company, for
every share they hold, and they have
simply come into our company because
they believed it to be safe investment.
There is, too, upon the part of the
public, belief that the company is
largely engaged in politics. We imag-
inc this feeling is caused by the fact
that in the past, simply from the stand
point of self preservation, certain cor
porations were almost compelled to be
in politics; but in these days, when the
tendency is to place all corporations
and trust affairs into the hands of a
central body, such as the Interstate
Commerce Commission and local state
commission, etc., TO deal with the con-
duct of businesses such as ours, being
in politics, as believed by the public,
would be a foolish thing and entirely
unnecessary. This is, therefore, to
state emphatically that we are not,
either directly or indirectly, in politics,
in any way, shape or manner, and shall
not be.
We are going to attempt to give you
the entire story as to our rates. We
have been told, when stating to some
of the public that we proposed starting
campaign like this, that our efforts
would be futile; that our subscribers
would turn out to be selfish and only
look toward the end of getting as cheap
telephone rates as possible. We do not
believe this. We believe that the great
majority of the public are inclined to
be fair, and that it is not so much the
question of what our telephone rates
are as it is that when we make a state
ment regarding them, and show our true
financing, that we shall be honest, and
that the public shall know that we are
honest. That when we make a state
ment as to our profits and earnings,
showing just where the dollar that our
subscriber pays US goes, the public may
know that we are not trying to deceive
them or keep anything back that should
be shown. When we honestly do this
and our position seems to be just and
right, we believe that the fairness of
the public will sustain US.
We are going to set forth the inherent
difficulties of giving universal telephone
service. These articles and letters are
not to be piece of special pleading or
adroit use of words, but clear, busi-
ness-like setting forth of facts. We
hope, before we get through, both our
selves and the public will understand
each other better. There is at least no
harm to be done in trying to accomplish
this desired result.
1t is our aim to educate, please and
satisfy the public and to be educated
ourselves. 1t seems to US that every
corporation has the right of selfdefense,
the same as an individual. The public
has the same right. Listen to our de-
fense and we will listen to yours. No
problem has ever been harder for US
than Just how we were going to let the
public know truly about us, but we be-
iieve that no problem was ever more
important to both. If we really can
make you feel that you are partner in
our business, we shall have accomplished
much. A large part of the problem
will be solved, if we can only bring the
public, through education, to a full un-
derstanding that there is mutual de-
pendence between the public service
corporations and the public, and that
public prosperity depends largely upon
the utilities that bring them in contact