Crittenden record-press., 1917-11-01
VOTE FOR the
COasCi 'OATwN Of
CUAL PHONE SYSTEMS

The voters OF this county, in com.
nor with voters all over the state.
viii find On their ballots at the com.
iLg Nov"'lber election, the line for
I.tncatioR Of the constitutional
msndmcnt passed by the last legis-
Ia,ure. providing that telephone lines
IN Kentucky may absorb other tele.
phone lines. for the purpose Of elimi.
mating the double systcM Of phones
wherever Il Ia deemed advlss ole First,
public endorsement Of the amendment
has come from tho Frankfort Chamber
OF Commerce.. and similar commercial
bodies oil over the state are taking up
the matter in the hope OF securing
= big affirmative vote There 10 so
little argument 10 be presented against
ratification OF the amendment that
such Efforts arc being made for fear
on II. rather thsu Tor fear Of any sub
stantial opposition. The dual system
OF telephones IL not feasible. II is
expensive and annoying and absolute
ly destructive TO the proper function
ing OF the long distance system II
forces business houses to keep two
telephone rents going. and puts people
who have only the one line out Of
touch with those who have the other,
whereas the prime purpose OF the tele-
phone 10 to knit communities and ter.
rtories together by means Of its facili.
ties. The legislature was quick
to realise the need Of remov.
Ing present restrictions which prohibit
the absorbing Of competing lines. and
II 10 impossible to conceive OF the poo
pie opposing the idea
Tho amendment passed by the Sen.
ate with only one dissenting vote and
encountered no opposition whatever In
the House. The representatives OF
both parties recognized that only By
means OF this amendment to the Con.
stitution could the state be saved the
annoyance and expense Of two tels-
phone systems In the same community
Some Of the larger cities. particular.
ly Cincinnati. New York and Washing.
ton, early recognized that two tele-
phone systems were an unnecessary
burden or the community and never
granted to more than one company
franchise for telephone system, win
the result that every telephone user
in each OF these cities Is in direct
communication with every other sub
scriber.
In Kentucky. In the early stages Of
the development OF the telephone bust.
ness. numerous small companies were
organized. They did not connect, dif
ferent kinds OF equipment were used
and the standard of maintenance was
not universal. which retarded the ad.
vancement Of telephone development
in keeping with other states more pro
gressive. Nearly every community in
Kentucky has, at some time in its his.
tory. experienced telephone war that
engendered hard feelings, az each side
had !ts parusaDs. and the public has
. been deprived uf the convenience and
economy that one telephone system
afiords. co.. .,.
The public interest is thoroughly
protected under the proposed consti.
,utional amendment. as no purchase
can be made without the consent OF
'he city council. The passage OF the
h!ll providing for the constitutional
amendment and the practically unsni
nous vote II received in the General
Assembly is evideace that It was pass.
cd In response TO a widespread and
popular demand for relief from pres
,nt telephone nd,tions.-Paducah
tKy.) Evening Sun,