The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-24
STATEMENT DENIES ASSERTION
 MADE BY BARBER
Says Also That Automatic Phone Talk Is Simply to Punish the Local
 Company

Col w T. Gentry. president of the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph company, visited Birmingham yesterday for the purpose of announcing "a long distance'' test to San Francisco on April 10, and incidentally, to inform Arlie Bar ber the socialist member of the city commission, that he had recently been juggling with the truth.
 Colonel Gentry visited the city hall and called on several of the commissioners, but did not see MT. Barber.
 In regard to the local telephone sit uation Colonel Gentry issued written statement. in which he argues that the introduction of automatic telephones is merely subterfuge to punish the South- ern Bell company.
 There are so many different situations about telephone affairs in Birmingham said Colonel Gentry in his formal state- ment. ''that hardly know which one to discuss.
 "The latest feature appears to be a movement to have second telephone system started here. I do not think this should be given serious consideration, in view of the fact, that most of the people now here are familiar with the experiment of duplicate telephone sys- tems and as a very large majority of business men everywhere are emphatic in their opposition to two systems, prac- tically all agreeing that telephone evils cannot be cured in that way.
 GAS a matter of fact, we have a fine and Comprehensive system in Birming- ham and vicinity, splendidly built and equipped we'll maintained, with reason able rates, efficient service and but few complaints. The only excuse so far of- fered for second system is to punish us. I know of no reason why we should be punished, as we have ever dealt frank Iv with the public and all constituted authorities and have fulfilled every prom ise. and are living up to our responsi- bilities.
 Before the present rate schedule was adopted we went into the matter fully with the city commission and with the railroad commission and we kept the nuhlic fully advised through the news pa pers of all of our affairs and or the necessity for the new rates We secured the approval of the commission before they were put into effect. In view of the agitation of the subject now, l Will have rrepared statements of the facts and have them published in the papers, in order that all the people in this vicinity may be familiar with the situation. We have nothing to conceal and nothing to he ashamed of; on the contrary, we be- lieve we are entitled to the commenda- ton of our patrons the public and the commissions.
 When asked about MT. Barber's state ment that Colonel Gentry had said news paper advertising was only good for ob- taining the good will of the press, MT. Gentry said he had never made any such statement and did not hold any such views. being a firm believer in the neces- sity of advertising in the daily papers for the patronage of the public and to build up the business.
 'This subject was brought up before the commission by MT. Barber in October. l91S,'' he said, and by reference to the columns of all three of the daily papers of this city it will be seen that when MT. Barber made his accusations against the papers at that time I vigorously de- fended them. was emphatic in my state- ment that was not personally acquaint- ed with any newspaper men whose opin- ions could be bought"