The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-11-05
Vote FOR THE
CONSOLIDATION OF
DUAL PHONE SYSTEMS

The voters of this county, in COM
mon with voters all over the state,
Will find on their ballots at the COM
ing November election, the line for
ratification of the constitutional
amendment passed by the last legis-
lature, providing that telephone lines
In Kentucky may absorb other tele-
phone lines, for the purpose Of elimi-
mating the double system of phones
wherever it is deemed advisable. First.
public endorsement Of the amendment
has come from the Frankfort Chamber
Of Commerce, and similar commercial
bodies all over the state are taking up
the matter in the hope of securing
a big affirmative vote. There is so
little argument to be presented against
ratification of the amendment that
such efforts are being made for fear
that the voters may neglect to vote
on 1t, rather than for fear of any sub
stantial opposition. The dual system
Of telephones Is not feasible. 1t is
expensive and annoying and absolute
ly destructive to the proper function
ing of the long distance system. 1t
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 is to knit communities and ter
ritories together by means of its facili.
ties. The legislature was quick
to realize the need of remov-
ing present restrictions which prohibit
the absorbing of competing lines, and
it is impossible to conceive Of the peo-
pie opposing the idea.
The 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 tele-
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 on the community and never
granted to more than one company a
franchise for a telephone system, with
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, diff.
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.
gresslve. Nearly every community In
Kentucky has, at some time in its his
tory, experienced telephone war that
engendered hard feelings, as each side
had its partisans, and the public has
been deprived Of the convenience and
economy that one telephone system
affords.
The public interest is thoroughly
protected under the proposed consti
tutional amendment as no purchase
can be made without the consent Of
the city council. The passage Of the
, bill providing for the constitutions
|, amendment and the practically unani
nous vote It received In the Genera
Assembly is evidence that II was pass
ed In response to widespread ant
popular demand for relief from pres
ent telephone conditions.-Paducai
Ky Evening Sun.