Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1914 — PHONE TRUST IS HIT [ARTICLE]

PHONE TRUST IS HIT

U. 8. AND BELL FIRM AGREE ON DISSOLUTION PLAN. Local By>tenu of Three Pacific States to Get Independent Service Hereafter. Portland, Ore., March 27.—The telephone trust by which the Bell system dominated the lines of Washington, Oregon and Idaho was dissolved without a fight A decree accepted by the telephone Interests and conceding the government’s demand was entered in the federal court, it gives long distance rivals of the Bell access to local systems, thus restoring competition. In compliance with the decree, the Bell company will give up its holdings In the Northwestern Telephone company and the Interstate Telephone company. The Bell company most sell Its holdings in the Hbme Telephone oompany of Spokane. The decree condemns as unlawful all contracts by which local companies agree to give their long distance business to the Bell exclusively and prohibits that company from accenting benefits under such contracts. The entering of the decree ended a suit brought under the Sherman antitrust law last July by Attorney Gencraj Mcßeyonlds.