The Mankato free press., 1916-03-17

exchanges and rural subscribers thar
ever could be possible with livery
teams.
I'VE expected 10 DO considerably
reconstruction installing more cable
ETC., in Mankato where the growth
has been the most rapid but tho
prices on construction material have
advanced to such an extent that we
have about decided to wait for a de-
cline in the market, purchasing only
what We are required to for our nat
ural growth.
Gain Since First of Year
Il don't want any one to conStrue
any of. the above statements as
meaning that we can not handle a
substantial increase. Such is not the
case. Since the first of January tO
date we have net gain of eighty
nine telephones with several more on
the waiting list. l was just think
ing that if each stakeholder were to
resolve to secure one new subscriber
for the company this year that we
would close the year with the largest
gain ever enjoyed.
The traffic reports taken monthly
show that we are handling a great
many more calls with practically the
same operating force as year ago
The latest report indicates that we
handle an average, of 10000 calls pei
day, an increase of about 5000 calls
over year ago. The automatic fea-
Ntures installed on the switchboard
two years ago make this possible, as
we'll as much easier for the operator
Always on the Alert.
"We are always on the alert to take
advantage of any new developments
and are just now installing equip
ment to eliminate the disagreeable
buzZihg in the receivers, when you
happen to take off the receiver during
the ringing period. Nor will it be
possible for the operator to ring a
subscriber in the ear. This feature
was so tied UP with patents two years
ago that we were unable to purchase
it. Since then however, our engi-
neers have managed to get around
the patents satisfactorily.
Ambition of Manager
My one ambition since the con-
nection of the company was to re-
tire the floating Indebtedness as soon
as possible and consistent with good
service. You will notice on your
menu cards the, floating indebtedness
or the bills payable amount to &c.
100 90 thereon as against $4,000 100
year ago, a reduction of $9,100 0O
and ] am pleased to state that this
item has been further reduced sc
that at this date it amounts to So
100. 90 which we hope to wipe out
this year
in connection | wish to extend my
appreciation for the assistance
given me by the stockholders and the
board of directors, and l hope that
will merit the same assistance during
this year and that when we meet
again next year we will have even
/ more cause to feel proud of our com
pany which has certainly made a name
for itself in this state in spite OF
the severest kind Of competition and
one or two strokes of bad luck which
are peculiar TO the business but which
has weathered the storm with a
bright future before it.
Remarks. BY Judge Cray.
Mr.. Patterson now called on Judge
Lorin Cray, former president Of
the company. Judge Cray laid much
| stress on the point that success came
from a community of interest. He
said that this accounted for the grea
prosperity. of the Mankato Citizens
Telephone company. He cautioned
| the stockholders against the danger
OF the company ever growing AFRO.
CANT on account of it's prosperity, a,
prosperous institutions sometime;
did The company should continue t,
! aim at the ideal of giving a fair ant
square deal to all
| Henry b. Hance urged that ever,
stockholder during the coming yea