Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1917 — 'Phone Companies Consolidate. [ARTICLE]

'Phone Companies Consolidate.

South Bend, Oct. 5. —The Central Union Telephone company, a part of the Bell system, will absorb the interests of the Home Telephone company here, it became known here. The merger will take place about November 1, it is said. The Automatic system now used by the Home people will be thrown out of service, and a manual system including all the ’phones in the city will take its place, it is understood. Higher rates are expected in South Bend. Reports of the consolidation have been current for some time and with the resignation of several employees of the Home company, wb© feared for their positions, when the two companies became one, the rumors were confirmed. Elmer E. Daircey, general manager of the Homecompany, at first denied the report, but later withdrew his denial.