Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1914 — TELEPHONE SYSTEM WAS SOLD SATURDAY [ARTICLE]

TELEPHONE SYSTEM WAS SOLD SATURDAY

Delos Thompson, Mrs. Kate R. Watson and B. F. Fendig Sell to Clark & Bott.

A, L. Clark, of Morocco, and W. L. Bott, of Star City, closed a deal Saturday for the purchase of the stock of Delos Thompson, Airs. Kate R. Watson and B. F. Fendig in the Jasper Courity Telephone Company, thus acquiring 256 shares of the 480 shares of the company. It is understood that they will take charge at once. Superintendent Montgomery will continue with the company at least for the present. Messrs. Clark and Bott will both move to Rensselaer and give the company their personal attention, but they will not move their families, in all probability, until the first of June, as they have children in school and also have business affairs at their home towrts to close up. Mr. Clark will take immediate charge. Mr. Bott is the cashier of the First State Bank at Star City. He was formerly in the telephone business and is an experienced telephone man. Mr. Clark has been in the telephone business at Monon, Morocco and in Missouri. Both are hustlers and feel that they have purchased a plant that will make them considerable money. They will probably make a statement to the public within a few days. Mrs. Anna Mills has 53, shares of stock in the company, E. T. Harris has some stock and Ike Tuteur, of Chicago, and D. B. Nowels, of Colorado, are also stockholders and will

retain their stock with the new company. The par value of the stock was TlOb per share. It is understood that it was sold for $l2O per share. The deal was negotiated by V. J. Crisler and J. A. Dunlap. ' It is beleived that the rate war instituted in this city and community by the petition of the Jasper County Telephone Company will close with the sale of the majority stock to new parties. Mr. Clark and Mr. Bott have both stated that they believe the plant can be operated at a profit Rt.theJrates now-pre-vailing and it is not probable that they will push the second petition of the company asking that .the Public Service Commission appraise the plant and fix the rates. The Republican feels certain that the public will receive the new owners with the spirit of cordiality and gladly co-op era t e wi th them i h their efforts to improve the service and to settle all matters in dispute; The Wolcott plant is included in the sale and will be managed in a manner satisfactory to the patrons in that town.

The Republican during the recent agitation received $53.50 and deposited it at The First National Bank. Several of those who contributed requested that their names be not published, which makes it impractical to print the list of contributors. The amount so far disbursed was $25, which was paid to Attorney Halleck when he went to Indianapolis to appear before the commission. There was a total expense for postage and printing of $3.90. There will be a settlement due Attorneys Halleck and Dunlap, which will probably utilize the balance of the fund. The Republican feels that the activity shown in the opposition to the raise of rates was re-

sponsible for the successful termination and that the money was contributed to a worthy cause. Now that the fight is over and the victory won for the people we hope that the new company proves equal to the demands of the community and that there is an Improvement in the service as soon as the new men get things working smoothly