Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 132, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1909 — IS SILENT AS A TOMB ABOUT PROPOSED FRANCHISE. [ARTICLE]

IS SILENT AS A TOMB ABOUT PROPOSED FRANCHISE.

Democrat Has Not a Word to Say About Effort Made to Pass Ordinance for Increased Rate. Silence is golden. There are times when it behooves a man to keep still. That time has come to the Jasper County Democrat and to its editor, Frank E. Babcock, who seeks a telephone franchise as secretary of the Home Telephone Co., that will permit it to charge $1.50 per month for residence and $2.50 per month for business telephones. Yes, this is the same Babcock and the same newspaper that put up such a mighty “holler” when the Jasper County Telephone Co. asked for a franchise last spring at the very rates Babcock’s company now wants. This is the same Babcock who cried out monopoly and told you that the rate was exhorbitant and that a carefully managed concern could make money at the $1 and $2 rates. This is the same Babcock who organized a mutual company to force down and keep down rates and who was so fearful that the people were going to be swindled. This is the same Babcock who all year has been Investigating the telephone business in other cities and who has tried to make the readers of his paper believe, that the telephone owners were waxing rich at the $1 and $2 rates. This is the same Babcock who started out to usurp a guardianship over the interests of the public and keep down expenses. It is a fine tnne to keep quiet. With all those whom he sought to make believe that he was in the business for the benefit of the people in general and not giving a sap for himself, asking how it is that he now seeks to get a franchise at the very rates he opposed for others, it is a fine time to be silent. Silence is indeed golden. Next Monday night the city council will pass upon the ordinance that provides a franchise with a graduating scale of prices. That ordinance will go into effect at once if granted, and if the Home Telephone Co., which is now an altogether paper concern, can raise the capital to buy out the Jasper County Telephone Co., the rates will be applied as soon as the changes in appliance can be made. If the Home Telephone Co. can not raise the money, and it is probable that they can the matter will be open for the Jasper County Telephone Co. to buy out the paper company, change its name, apply the rates and go ahead for twenty years. On the basis of 700 telephones at a raise of 50 cents per month, the company would increase its earnings $359 per month or $4,200 a year. During the time that the Jasper County Co.’* present franchise at the present rate* is to run the increased revenue would amount to about $15,000. During the term of the franchise, which is stated at 20 years, the company would profit $84,000. A franchise of that kind is worth something. It would pay to buy it, and operate under it, and it would be worth SIO,OOO cash to the Jasper County Telephone Co. Can it be possible that the Home Telephone Co„ with its self-praised secretary, seek* this franchise for the purpose of it* sale? Can it be that this silence is to detract attention from the pending ordinance? There are indeed times when to open one’s mouth would be to put a foot into it. There are times when the more explanations offered the worse a thing looks. * Silence in this case is indeed golden.