Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-04-06
GOVERN MENT TO
BE SERVED FIRST
Telephone Co. Hopes Also to
Meet All Public Needs
Serious Demands for Facilities, but Ex-
traordinary Efforts Being Made-De-
lays Must Be Expected.

While telephone service has not been
denied to anyone by the New England
Telephone s. Telegraph Co., the com
pany is making it clear that in ease Of
war emergency the needs of the govern.
ment will be given first consideration,
although it is hoped that the needs of
the public may be provided for also.
Manager Ralph L. Eldridge Of the Brat
tleboro exchange, in reply to a query
Regarding the placing of an embargo
on new installation work, such as has
been contemplated in New York, ac-
cording to newspaper dispatches, gives
out q statement issued by President
| Spalding, as follows:
FDuring the last six months the de-
mands of the public for telephone serv-
| ice have severely taxed the resources
and abilities of the Telephone company,
but the company takes pride that it
has been able to meet the needs of the
public.
"There will be serious demands on
the company, not only for facilities,
but also for men to meet the prepared
ness plans of the government, both ma
tional and state; and without disclos-
ing any government secrets, it, can be
stated that already great deal OF
work has been done. The company rec
ognizes that its primary obligation il
to the government, not only to furnish
them with such facilities as they may
need for different kinds of telephone
service and equipment, but in addition
the company is arranging to provide
q reserve corps for the army and it is
probable that somewhat similar corps
will be required for the navy.
$50 far the company has been able
to meet the government requirements
and to maintain its commercial service
to the general public. Extraordinary
efforts are being made, and will con
tinue to be made, to see that there is
no lack of service; but patriotic cit-
zens will readily recognize the fact that
the government requirements should re-
ccive the first consideration, and that
under such conditions we should con-
serve our resources at this time, so that
in case of actual hostilities the needs
of the government, though greatly in
creased, may be properly taken care of.
eve have not denied service to any
one without service and really in need
of it, and we hope it will not be neces-
sary to do so, for our organization is
standing up wonderfully under the
present unprecedented demands being
made upou it. We have stated to some
applicants for new service that it might
not be possible for us to make new
installations with our usual promptness
and they might expect delays of two or
three weeks. We have distinctly dis
1couragtd, However,; for, the time being;
applications for what we call auxiliary
service
"For example: If man has serv-
ice in his house and desired an extern
sion set as a matter of additional con
vcnience our commercial men have been
instructed to say that we could not UNI
dcrtake to furnish that extension set
right now. SO, too, with requests for
additions to private branch exchanges,
etc, where such additions were matters
of convenience rather than Of neccs.
sity.
"Another reason for conserving our
resources results from the embargo
which preceded the threatened rail
road strike. The threatened railroad
strike has been averted, but, unfor-
tunately, the disturbances and embar.
goes of q few days require about as
many weeks, and sometimes about as
many months, before we can restore
the regularity of our supplies.
1--WE hope it will not be necessary to
deny service to anyone that is without
1t and really needs it. / may add that
this is not merely our hope, but our OK
pectation; for our supply departments
are developing really unheard of re-
sourcefulness.
Cup to the present time we have not
refused telephone service of some kind
to anybody actually without it, though
delays in providing the service must he
expected under present conditions.
Should it become necessary to take any
other attitude further announcement.
Will be made to the public, together
with the reasons therefor''