Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1910 — What the City Needs In the Way of Telephone Service. [ARTICLE]

What the City Needs In the Way of Telephone Service.

As to the relative merits df the much discussed “magneto” and “common battSry” telephone systems, as well as the cost of their installation there seems to be a difference of opinion by local testimony, by the advice of manufacturers who have a telephone equipment for sale and by comparison of the statement of local aspirants for a franchise and the'Statement of Earl Walker, who lyts a “conw mon battery” system in operation aF Delphi. Manufacturers report that the “comriion battery" system costs more and is less practical in cities-of this size. Earl Walker put in that kind of a system at Delphi and the people are delighted with the service. Manufacturers say that it costs more to operate and maintain a “common battery” system, .Mr. Walker who has had experience with both systems, says that it costs less to operate and less to maintain. A. Halleck, who has had much experience ip the telephone business, says the same thing. From the standpoint of the public it matters very little what system is used. The best possible service at a reasonable cost is what the public has-

and will continue to clamor for, andif the “magneto* system, which ia the one in operation here at the present time, is satisfactory, then let it be the system employed. The people do not want tWo telephon companies. This applies to the country people as well as to the people in town. They want to have an omiytunitv to talk to all telephone subscribers in this community at one cost and not he burdened with two telephones and a double expense. The public Is not caring what company has the franchise. It may be the present one, it may be the Home Telephone Co., or it may be an entirely new company, but the public does not want two. To this end, R has been* suggested and the suggestion seems to meet general approval, that no other company be granted a franchise during the life of the present one. Near the expiration of this franchise, let the city attorney draw up and the council ap l prove a “model franchise” that is calculated to protect the city’s interests and let competing companies bid for it. This franchise should provide the rates, the kind of a system, vision for good service, and should fix terms by which any mutual line of farmers who bring a line to the corporation limits of the city shall have access to the central switchboard. Thus, if a. number of farmers living in one section desire to erect and maintain their own line, they shall be guaranteed connection with the switchboard of the operating company at a price set out iaHhe ordinance.

This plan is advanced by many, was suggested by Dr. Kresler at the meeting of the council that voted down the Home Telephone Co.’s franchise, and Mr. Gerber also suggested a plan of this. kind. The service now is not bad, It is very good, as Rood as could be expected of « “magneto” system, and no action should be taken to franchise another company until near the explration of the franchise pf the Jasper County Telephone Co. IT 18 IMPORTANT THAT ONLY ONE COMPANY OPERATE HERE AT A TIME. PLACED TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE 6 TO 1 WOULD FAVOR THE PLAN. ABOVE SUGGESTED. Let the telephone business rest.