The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-01-10

not accompanied by the fireworks so
prevalent q few years ago when the
Grange Hall at Norridgewock used to
be packed to a capacity limit. In
those days the people were sure OF
hearing some rather spicy comments
and regretably the difference of opn-
ions led to more or less inharmony.
This year, however, the session was a
quiet one and everything passed off
smoothly. w. G. Robinson of North
Arson presided at the special meet
ing held in the forenoon and the re-
ports of the clerk, directors and treas
urer were read and accepted. The
matter of contracts for connection of
lines between the Somerset line and
the Franklin Farmers. the Peoples
and with the Oxford Farmers Coop
erative Telephone Companies was left
to the directors 1t was voted to
pay the clerk SIS for his services and
the treasurer, SIS. The auditor will
present his bill to the directors
In accordance with the usual Gus
tom the ladies of Somerset Grange
served a dinner during the midday
recess with about thirty in attend
ance. During the day they were
given a rising vote Of thanks. In the
afternoon there were about fifty pres
ent at the annual telephone meeting
Attorney Frank Ames of Norridge-
wock gave very comprehensive and
excellent auditors report which was
accepted. Fred Magoon Of Scion was
reelected clerk, w. G. Robinson of
North Arson was reelected president,
G.. F. Smith OF Skowhegan was re-
elected business manager, Mrs. s. H.
Beal of Skowhegan, treasurer and
Frank Ames of Norridgewock, audit
or. The following directors were
elected from the various districts:
Ernest Gilman, Norridgewock; G. r.
Smith, Skowhegan; Earl Beane, Ca
naan; w. C. Robinson, North Arson;
Edgar Clark, Madison; A. c. Head,
Scion, and Crosby Spaulding, Cara
tunk.
The necessity Of increasing the as
sessment was discussed by several
stockholders and figures were pre-
scented by the president and manager
which showed that 1t was absolutely
necessary that this should be done.
1t was pointed out that operating ex-
penses for 1923 were considerably in
excess of the receipts and the only
way the company carried on was on
the old accounts collected by the
manager and amounting to over
$4,000. The amount of increase was
left with the directors. Arthur Saw
age, the very efficient lineman for
last year will have the same position
for this year. 1t was voted to pay
the manager $500 a year for his
services
At the last annual meeting Archie
M. Danforth was reelected manager
but owing to his death on February
26th, c. F. Smith was elected to fill
the vacancy. Manager Smith gave
an excellent report in which he said;
"Since the last annual meeting up
to December goth, when the books
were closed, we have collected and
turned over to our treasurer the sum
of $19,30822 This is $62422 more
than last year. or this amount, $16,-
2S8.15 was for assessments, this is
$922.60 more than last year, and
S1542.34 for tolls, which Is 1927 so
more than last year. The balance
was for shares, material and supplies
sold to subscribers.
"There is due the company today,
$1923.33 on the Subscribers Ledger,
and $70126 on the General Ledger,
making q total of $2624.59. This
amount is $13S2.25 less than was due
last year. Last years amount was
$195.98 more than for the year pre-
vious. Old accounts on the general
ledger have been decreased by $780,
CO auoipot e07q 10 For IN Of vaar
I'VE have made special effort to
, reduce our delinquent accounts as
much as possible and | have spent a
great deal Of time making collections.
When ! was elected to Office on April
LIST I was given list of delinquent
accounts amounting to s276638 and
including 1855 names. This list in
cluded subscribers who were two or
more quarters in arrears. On this
list there only remain 81 names with
d total amount of $34S93. OF this
number but seven are still on the
line. OF course there are additional
delinquents each quarter, but when
the assessment cards for this quarter
are sent out there will be only 81
subscribers who are over two quart
ers in arrears, for total amount OF
SS52.39.
"Our liabilities for 1923 are $167.50
which is mostly for rent due January
1st
"Your cash has been expended as
follows: Repairs OF wire plant,
Qinemens wages), 1923. $1349.8S,
1922, $213S.75; repairs of equipment,
1923. $236SO4, 1929, $27SS94; main
tenance expense. 1923, s102120. 1922,
s169671; operators wages, 1923,
$S95635 1922, $S54472; Office salaries.
1923, $239313, 1922. $2139.00; general
expense, 1923, $220560, 1922, $2663.39;
toll tax. 1928, $115,25. 1929. s107.15;
state tax. 1923, $307.3 1922, $420.77 /;
capital stock tax. 1928, S14, 1922, s15
paid in 1923; insurance, 1923, $S74.90,
1922. $33S93, included in general ex-
pense.
"You will note from the aboxe fig
ures that the amount paid for linemen
has been reduced by s7SS.S7. This
Is due to the fact that I have put In
over half of my time doing line work