Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-02
EfYg|.EE ll.etFtE-N. tIaa.H4 AHaNEsE -.
MR.. WHITMAN K
UP QUESTION FROM
DIFFERENT ANGLES
Points Out That $500 a
Month Will be Saved to
i People.
MUCH CONFUSION
WILL BE AVOIDED
Advantages of Present Sys-
tenn Said to be Few and
Insignificant.

In discussing the newest phases of
the local telephone situation, w. S.
Whitman. chairman of the co1ncil
committee on telephones, today called
attention to some Of the advantages
Grand Forks BY the adoption Of a
single service here; some Of these,
Mr.. Whitman said, are as follows:
Fifteen hundred dollars or more.
q month saved to our people, or about
$4,000 a year, for there are more
than 500 duplicated phones costing
pensed with; they are entirely IN
necessary.
Annoyance and confusion Of two
separate telephone systems eliminat-
ed; there will remain but a single sys-
tenn with all subscribers in one book
and with but one bell to call you.
Improvement of service to sub
suit but mi book and all telephone
users in the city can be reached by
one phone.
Economy Of operation and MAIN
tenance; investment expense will be
decreased very largely; cost Of re-
pairs will be diminished: it is esti-.
mated that the saving in copper in
cation of wire will be 100000 q
year; the salaries of duplicated en-
ployees will be saved, ETC., etc.
Efficiency Of service improved;
the Tri-State company alone has lost
one mar in -four or Is per cent of its
employees. skilled and otherwise:
these men have enlisted in the Ma
tional Service: the Northwestern un-
d~oubtedly has lost as many; the uni
flcation Of the service permits the
greater utilization Of the remaining
non with resultant benefit to the SER
vice.
"As a war measure alone the con-
solidation of the exchange is more
than justified.
Some Few Disadvantages.
The disadvantages are few and
comparatively inconsequential; they
The loss of about $500 per annum
in the 2 per cent earnings tax provid-
ed for by the ordnance; but this
money must come out of the ,tele-
phone users; the ultimate consumer;
and the amount is SO small COM
pared with the $4,000 or $1,000,
saved to. the subscribers thai it de-
serves little attention.
The loss of II Tri-State phones
now used by the city; this also was
paid by the telephone subscribers; the
subscribers is an offset for these tele-
phones and the expense of these tele-
phones is insignificant compared with
the savings to the subscribers.
"Monopolistic dangers due to loss
Of competition; but this Is taken care
of by the state law enacted in 1915,
modelled afer the Minnesota and Wis
consin laws under which the tele-
phone companies are required to file
their schedule Of rates and charges
with the railroad commission and are
prohibited from making any changes
therein without first securing the con-
sent Of the commission and provid-
ing that upon complaint of the city
or Of rs patrons of unreasonable
charges or Inadequate service a hear
q shall be had, ETC.; the Tri Estate
franchise was granted to secure
competition but at that time
there was no such law either in this
state or elsewhere; the enactment of
this law provides a better safe guard
than does competition,
"option Of city to purchase plant
rDrovided for at expiration Of fran
!! chise in 1922: but the city will then
be in nc financial condition to buy
an expensive luxury like a telephone
exchange, nor would the city want a