The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-27
Against Automatic Telephone
Bonds in Topeka.
TELEPHONE TROUBLES TALKED
Tuesday, June SOth, Set for Dis
cussion improvements.
Effort to Squelch Automatic
Investigation Defeated.

The board Of directors OF the Com
mercial club met this afternoon and
considered the matter of the city vot-
ing bonds to install a new automatic
telephone system in Topeka. After
debate lasting about two hours and
a half the directors decided that 1t
would be unwise for the sity OF Tope-
ka to vote a bonded Indebtedness of
$500, 900 to be used in creating mu-
nicipal telephone system.
J. F. Haskell, president, said it was
his opinion that the business men did
not want two telephone systems on
account OF the extra expense that
would be added.
Most of the business men, however.
who are directors of the club, gave
their opinion that the automatic teie-
phone idea would not be a bad one II
an independent corporation should in
stall the system in Topeka.
The directors adso urged that the
public at large would not be served
so we'll with the two systems as one
because part Of the people would
have one company's phone and the
other part would be on different
system.
The expression against the voting
Of 100000 in bonds, or anything like
it, was quite general.
1t was apparent, however, that this
meeting was not called altogether in
the interest of opposing bond prop
osition, but was called to suppress if
possible, agitation of an automatic
system of telephones. The question
thus has two phases.
Upon motion of Mr.. Garvey. seconded
by Mr.. Lux, an effort was made to turn
down the automatic telephone business.
This motion was defeated.
Scott Hopkins said he was opposed to
municipal ownership.
Henry Bennett said, How about our
waterworks?"
Mr. Bennett: THE automatic tele-
phone is a good thing. l know it from
experience Of my friends in Chicago
and elsewhere. / do not believe it a
good thing to turn down every new
proposition. That is the way we get
improvements.
Look at our waterworkS system. I
am opposed to this new scheme Of
paying in advance for telephones.
am willing to pay in middle of month,
half and half.
by new propositions we get I'M
provements on old ones. The present
telephone service is not ideal. I have
some trouble, SO do you.
II am opposed to more bonds at
least until l am satisfied that b., more
tax we can get better AMI cheaper
service.
About this time several directors
began to tell their troubles with the
present phones; thereupon a day was
set next Tuesday to hear grievances
and let the Bell people say Wha. rem
edy and relief they had to offer.
Resolutions.
The board of directors passed this
resolution
We believe that there would be
nothing gained by installing ars-ther
telephone plant in Topeka unless the
cost to the subscriber would be less
and the service better than obtained
at the present, but with two telephone
systems in Topeka it would not be pos
sible to have as good service at less
cost as it would be where there is
only one system, this of course de-
pending upon the single company CIV
ing up to date and satisfactory service
as 1t should be compelled to give.
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 representatives
Of the company will be asked to ap-
pear and discuss these grievances and
see II concessions cannot be obtained
from the company. The telephone
companies are under the absolute d.
rection of the utilities commission and
where any grievous wrongs are being
practised relief can be obtained
through that body
Signed by j. F. Haskell. C. A. Kar-
Ian, A. H. Purdy, c. E. Bascom, S. r
Lux, r. L. Bone. F. E. Nipps, H. o.
Carney. c S. Elliott, w. w. Webb,
Scott Hopkins. Henry Bennett and r.
L. Cofran.