Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1909 — DON’T BITE ON THIS BAIT. [ARTICLE]

DON’T BITE ON THIS BAIT.

“Call” For Telephone Meeting Evidently a Trap. HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT Is The Democrat's Advice, As the Motive Power Behind It Is Questionable—No Division of the Mutual Sentiment Should Be Permitted By Any Friends of the Movement if it is to Succeed.

The movement for a mutual telephone company in Jasper county was started by The Democrat, and it has no connection whatever with a “call” issued Monday by some other parties in the Rensselaer Republican for a meeting Saturday, July 31. J. F. Bruner is ostensibly back of this latter call, we are told, w’hich purports to be for the purpose of discussing the matter of organizing a mutual company and buying out the old company here or put in an entire new exchange. Mr. Bruner has never mentioned mutual telephone or a word to The Democrat about this meeting, but as he has a line or two that is likely to be of little value should a new company be organized, he is evidently seeking to take advantage of the sentiment worked up by The Democrat. Also, The Rensselaer Republican, which has never said one word favoring the organization of a mutual, has two of its principal owners who are stockholders in the Jasper County Telephone Co., one, we are told, about the heaviest stockholder in said company. The call above noted is unsigned and was not offered The Democrat for publication, a fact which in itself is significant, and should easily be seen through. We have no interest in this matter except to see it win and a better and more satisfactory telephone service at cheaper rates, but we do most earnestly protest against a division of the mutual sentiment, now’ at high tide, by any such underhanded methods. If Mr. Bruner and the Jasper County Co., want to sell out to the mutual company which they evidently see is bound to be organized here, let them come out in the open and say so, not attempt to organize a “mutual” company of their own to unload their lines on at any price they see fit. The purchase of their lines is a matter that can be looked into after organization, and is not now a pertinent question. First organize a company, and then consider these other matters. The Democrat most earnestly advises its readers and all others in the county who favor a mutual company being organized not to fall into this trap. The Democrat has nothing to sell, and you can depend on what it has to say. Do not let the success of this movement fail through the butting in of those who have an ax to grind.