Jasper County Democrat, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1902 — The New Telephone Companies. [ARTICLE]

The New Telephone Companies.

Of all the financial enterprises ever tars' dertaken in the state of Indiana, none other hgve had the phenomenal success that has attended the Independent telephone companies. By "independent” is meant the companies In opposition to the Bell monopoly. The largest of these companies, are the New telephone company of Indianapolis, which is local to the city of Indianapolis and Marion county, and the New long distance telephone company, which has, for Its territory, the entire state, and now has connection with about 41,000 telephones. Both of these organizations are owned and controlled by Indiana capitalists. The investments have proved, not only satisfactory, but very profitable, to the gentlemen responsible for the enterprises. The telephone, as a public utility, has come to stay. These Independent companies are giving to the citizens of the state, what they never would have had, or could have had, through any other agency. The people realize this, and are supporting them magnificently. Investments in Independent telephone properties are becoming extremely popular. The movement has spread so rapidly over Indiana that the whole state may now be said to be completely covered. The New long distance telephone company has contracts with companies ’n the etates north, south east and west of us, end expects, within the next four months, to be connected with Pittsburg; within the next nine months, with New York, and, within ths next twelve months, with Boston. It expects connection with St Louis and points West, within six months, and will be connected with Cleveland and Detroit and points intervening within ths next four months. When this Is accomplished ever* farmer. who has an Independent telephone, can talk to any of these points, from the privacy of hit own home. He ma*’ put his ear to the markets of the world’any time he likes, and keep in the closes* possible touch with the doings of hunJLiity, the world over. f