Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-07-04
COMPROMISE ON
TELEPHONE RATES
MASS MEETINGS OF FARMERS RE.
suit IN EXTENSION OF TINE
ON OLD RATES.
OLD RATE IN FORCEUNTIL JAN. I
Committee of Five Farmers to Investi.
gate Into Conditions to Determine
Necessity for Increase.

gate INTO COnONlOnS 10 determine
Necessity for Increase.
Some months ago The Delaware
County Telephone company notified
its patrons on the rural lines that
beginning July 1st, the rate would
be $1.25 per month, instead of $1.00,
this raise being necessary on account
of the increase in the cost of ma
terial and labor, and the prospective
necessity for replacing much of the
equipment. AS result large num-
Der of the farmers met in a mass
meeting at the court house on the af-
ternoon of June 23d to decide upon
some action in resistance to the in
creased rate At this meeting COM
mittee of nine was appointed to meet
with the board of directors of the
Telephone company to discuss the
matter. 1t was intimated that large
number of the patrons would discon-
tinue the service if the increased
rates were put into effect.
The farmers contend that the divi-
dends which the company is realiz-
ing are sufficient, considering the
service given. The company con-
tends that the rural lines are not a
source of profit, but that, in fact,
they were losing about seven cents a
year on every rural phone. The COM
pany claims that its profits are de-
rived from the system in the city of
Manchester and it's toll charges. The
patrons in Manchester pay S1.25 per
month, with extra charge for rural
line privileges. At the same time the
rural patrons have rural line privi-
leges over practically the entire coun-
ty.
Another mass meeting of farmers
was held in the court house Saturday
afternoon, for the purpose of hearing
the report of the committee above
named at the last meeting.
Thos. Carrothers was the first to
speak. Mr.. Carrothers stated that the
company agreed to continue the SER
vice for six months at the rate of $100
per month, and If at the end Of that
time it was deemed necessary to in
crease the rates, the company would
<t,avN 1oNy IN In CO
another member of the committee,
stated that the company was willing
to grant six months time at the old
rate, and that in his judgment the
patrons should accept of their offer.
Mr.. Gillespie said that it was not the
desire of the patrons to cripple the
service, or to want something for
nothing, but that they felt an increase
of rs per cent. seemed unwarranted
at this time.
Speaking of the service other rural
patrons are getting, Mr.. Carrothers
said that the rural patrons out of
independence were paying $1.25 per
month, and were restricted to just the
independence exchange. If, for in
stance, a farmer near independence
wishes to talk with a farmer near
Rowley, he is obliged to pay a toll
charge.
Henry lie Clere also urged the farm
ers to accept the company's offer
rather than refuse to compromise. Mr..
LeClere stated that while he resided
in Dubuque county he paid $1.50 per
month for the use of rural telephone
and then he had the privilege of the
Dubuque exchange only.
]. c. Nieman, who presided over
the meeting, was also heartily in IA
vor of accepting the company's offer.
w. v. Childs moved that the COM
pany's offer of continuing to give
service at $1.00 per month until jan
nary LIST, 1918, be accepted. After
some more discussion of the PROPOSE
ton, the motion carried by a large
majority.
It was then moved that. the chair
appoint committee to keep in touch
with the Telephone company and be-
tween now and the first of the year
make a careful study of the situation,
and try if possible to determine
whether the company is tn reality en-
titled to the increase asked. Chair
man Nieman named as this commit
tee T. Carrothers, John D. Thompson,
Henry Gillespie, Thomas Keith and
o. H. Lewis. '. - - i.5 @.'t'
1t is to be hoped that this commit
tee and the Telephone company can
make satisfactory adjustment as to
future rates. 1t was admitted by
many present that the telephone
system in Delaware county was as
good, if not better, than any in the
state. We believe that the commit
tee representing the farmers of Del
aware county, and the management
of the Delaware County Telephone
company will be able to come to a
settlement of telephone rates which
will be just and fair to all parties
concerned The telephone is neces-
sity in every home today, and since
compromise has been reached there
is little doubt but that the problem
will be settled satisfactorily in the