American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-03-05
CONTROL OF CORPORATIONS
The Mountain States Company Adj
Gates Commission


A news dispatch sent out from
Denver under date Of Feb. 10. gives
the following concerning the atti-
tude OF the NJ. S. T. & T. Co. with
regard to the plan for the control
OF the company by State Utilities
Commissions:
Great interest was manifested to-
day in the announcement by Pres
ident Field of The Mountain States
Telephone & Telegraph Company,
that he is in hearty accord with the
plan for the control OF the company
he represents by state utilities COM
missions elected by the people. The
company, which operates in the
sevel mountain states, is one Of
the biggest public serving corpora
tons in the country, and this an
nouneement, coming as it does in
the midst Of public distrust OF all 1
corporations, shows a broad. far
sighted policy that is doing much /
4 toward bringing about spirit of
confidence in the company and its |
operations.
The annual report to the three /
thousand stockholders gives the
eompany's balance sheet and shows
the growth of the telephone busi-
ness in the territory. 1t contains
much Of public interest and shows
the healthy condition Of the COM
pany and its affairs
The report in part says: "On
December 81, 1913, we had in our
territory $40 exchanges, furnishing
service TO 20O.O16 exchange stations
there are 22,556 stations connect
ed with our system on the lines OF
connecting companies. making
total of 222.572 subscribers sta
tons in service on December 81,
i1el3. an increase of 1854 during
the year. The total miles OF ex-
change and toll lines, as Of Decem-
Der 81. 1918, were 53S.666.OS, an
increase OF 32.O47.16 miles for the
year. Total miles of exchange and
toll wire underground on Decem-
Der 81, 1918. were 196,77S.23. Total
miles OF toll line on the same date
we're 76,9S456. Our company furn-
~ shed as we'll to minor companies
toll service over S,O19 miles of con-
Meeting toll line. There are in the
n territory of the Mountain States
n system 551 Joint telephone and tel
p egraph offices ,affording facilities
i to the public much better than
d those formerly enjoyed. Two thous-
n and three hundred sixty-five male
If and 2.7O4 female employees made
re possible the handling of 1.OS5'44s
n exchange messages per day, and
r day, and were paid for their ser
K 1S,3O7 outgoing toll messages Pc
ye vices the sum Of s3,921.7S2 durinG
IN the year.
Or Two states in our territory dur
n ing the year 1913 have created Pub
,n lie Utility Commissions, viz: Idah'
and Montana Previous 10 thi
time, Arizona and New Mexico ha
already established such commis
sions, and, by virtue of our pre-
vious experience We have every rea
he son to believe that better an
m broader understanding between IN
It public and our company is takin
he place in consequence. We fin
Is. hat regulation by Public Servic
Sc missions may be considered a
,ct assurance OF better feeling and an
~ assurance Of better feeling and a
ID. insurance against unwarranted PR
ci- judioe.
his Our system of accounting il
IA, augurated January 1, 1913. upo
he order of the Interstate Con
mere Commission, affords read
scrutiny and an easy analysis
IVA our operations, and has additions
nq value in that it is duly legalze
for by the highest authority. theref
and relieving our company from advers
ass criticism when subject to invest
cation.
To close this report without r
ference to the loyalty and hear
rs cooperation of our 5.o6s employ'
would be unfair. both TO them al
10 the stockholders, whose
cry terest they have so thoroughly
80 heart. The benefit plan referr'
so. to in thee report of last year n
proven eminently satisfactory. al
day has. / am positive, cemented q
ing harmonious relationship between I
Il 80 operating force and the investor.
1t would also be improper
ling close this report without sor
the reference to the great value Of o