Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 210, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1919 — Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 [ADVERTISEMENT]

TELEPHONE NOTICE. We feel it of utmost importance to explain to all telephone patrons the conditions as they exist in the telephone field in Rensselaer and vicinity. Everyone knows the exist- , ing conditions for which no one in i particular is to blame, ibut, the conI ditions are here and must be met. All, we feel sure, realize the labor and material conditions; all patrons ialso know that every business and i profession in town and country have been increased; but not the telephone business. The butcher, the groceryman, and the shoe man, the millinery, furniture, dry goods, hardware, confectionery, implement and bakery dealers; the banks; garages, hotels, restaurant, picture showg and dairymen have increased their goods and service from 5 to 200 jper cent. They add it on their prices and charge you for the goods and service. Telephone companies are not allowed this privilege. Again the physician and surgeon, lawyer, real estate and insurance men, the dentist and optician have increased their prices to the highest point; but no change in the telephone rates. The farmer with his $22.00 hogs,- SIB.OO cattle, 50c to 75c butter and eggs, with hay, corn and every other produet of the farm and the land itself soaring to points beyond comparison, the telephone rates remaip the same as when wheat was 75c, -hogs $3.50 and eggs and butter 10c to 15c.

What we ask of the patron is to think of these conditions and then figure on the following: Poles have advanced 45 per cent, wire 170 to 200 per eent, batteries 150 per cent. We have been compelled to advance our labor wage from 20 to 40 per cent and even the laborer is not receiving his just dues. We are unable to procure the needed amount of help we deSirp. We have endeavored to keep the service up to standard until the last few months. We realize that we are not and cannot, and do not expect to keep the service up to that of the past. We believe that no just person expects to receive the same efficient service when no more revenue is paid in M With the increased costs we are compelled to operate with one lineman short, and with a chief operator one-half of the time, who will be taken off entirely, doing away with information to our patrons.

We felt that we could pull through the war conditions with its increased cost of materials and labor, but as the prices continue to advance we find there is nothing to do but let the service suffer. We feel this statement is due the patrons, the employes and the conn pany. That you cannot expect as rrfpid and correct service or your trouble to .be taken care of as quickly in the past with the .company receiving no rate increase is apparent. We will endeavor to do our best, but this must be discounted with the advance in wages and materials we are compelled to pay. JASPER COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY.

NOTICE TO MY PATRONS. I will be absent from Rensselaer for about ten days and during my absentee my real estate business will be in charge of my son, Verne, and Leslie Clark, who will attend to my real estate business the same I as if I was here to attend person-! ally to the business.—HAßVEY DAVISSON. ~ ‘ ■ Cut down your kodak expense. Our prices the lowest and .work guaranteed the best.—Larsh & Hopkins. V- - -•* --i - —■ “- - ~ Jtif-