The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-30
Denied Reporters to Early Part
of TOday's Conference.
MEETING TO HEAR GRIEVANCES
But Only Directors and Bell
Officials We're There.
Entire Club Is Called for Auto.
matte Decision.

hear grievances against the Missouri
and Kansas Telephone company, and
| to ascertain II concessions could be OBJ
tanned and relief granted. A paragraph
from this resolution reads as follows:
THE board realizing that there is
just cause for some Of the complaints
that are being made against the Mis-
souri, and Kansas Telephone company,
will hold a meeting on Tuesday noon,
June 80. at which time representa-
tives OF the company will be asked to
appear and discuss these grievances
and see II concessions cannot be OBJ
tanned from the company The tele-
phone companies are under the abso-
lutte direction OF the utilities commits
sion and where any grievous wrongs
are being practiced relief can be OBJ
tanned through that body"
A reporter for the State Journal, Mr..
Frank H. Snow. was denied admission
to the meeting by Secretary Kelley, un-
til the session was nearly over and
Kelley saw fit to admit the reporter.
After the meeting was nearly over
and many of the directors had gone
away. Mr.. Snow was admitted.
Complaints OF Service.
When asked what grievances were
brought against the Bell company at
the meeting today, Henry Bennett, a
member of the board said: "Com-
plants Of the service were made. 1t
was complained that the company
arbitrarily takes telephones out Of
residences a nd places Of business
if according to the new ruling
the payment for the use of the phones
is not made by the fifteenth of the
month. No action was taken at the
meeting today. Before concessions
can be made it will be necessary to
get the consent of the general officers
of the company"
There were present representing
the Bell company J. L. Hunt, attor-
ney: A. J. Mackey, manager, and S.
]. Bear. Mr.. Hunt and Mr.. Mackey
told of the money that has been spent
and the work that has been done
since the consolidation with the Inde-
pendent company with a view to bet
tering the service.
The directors who were present at
the melting: ]. will Kelley. J. F. Has
kell, Scott Hopkins, ]. H. Troutman,
c. 8. Elliott. H. o. Garvey, Henry Ben
nett, 8. E. Lux. A. H. Purdy, c. e.
Bascom, w. w. Webb. and r. L. Bone.
Harold p. Stroud, a member of the
Commercial club, and a representa-
tive Of the Automatic Telephone
company of Chicago, was also denied
admission, but was told that he would
meeting of the board the last of this
week or the first of next.
Opposed to Bond Issue.
Secretary Kelley said this afternoon
in speaking of the automatic telephone
proposition: "It should be understood
that the board is not fighting the in
PRODUCTION Of the automatic telephones,
but is opposed to the bond issue, thus
throwing the city into competition with
the telephone company.
w. w. webb suggested that petit
ton be circulated among the business
men of the city who are opposed to
the proposed bond issue. He said he
would give his time to the work He
felt that something should be done i'm
mediately as the Stroud petition favor
ing voting on a bond issue is being
signed rapidly.
people do want cheaper telephones and
better service. oh, Mr.. Webb. If the
people want this telephone and we dent
pretend to say yet, whether or not they
do. do you think you can suppress them
by getting busy.
The people wanted the White Way
and they got it, you know. Mr.. Webb.
and the city, not the Edison company.
supplies the current. The Edison
company was not a bidder. we be-
lieve.
Bennett Wanted Public Meeting.
Henry Rennett felt that the board
of directors was not sufficiently repre-
sentative of the entire Commercial
q meeting should be held Thursday
night which the entire membership
will be urged to attend.
He said: Instead of going before
the public as simply the ir-ctors Of
the club. let's do it as the Comercial
club"
Mr.. Stroud. who has Joined the
Commercial club, and who waited in the
main Office for chance to ask for per-
mission to attend the meeting. expressed
himself as being convinced that his pro-
position would meet with the approval Of
the people and would be carried into ef-
feet.
Since when is the Commercial club SO
sacred that members and reporters can
not hear what is going on.
Let's have a fair. open and above
board discussion Of all things that give
hope for civic Improvement.
The Telephone Company's Statement.
This u . stAtanent made by John 4.