[LM001196E], Telegram from Thomas Alva Edison to George Edward Gouraud, April 24th, 1882
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LM001196E
→ View document with UniversalViewer
→ View document on Archive.org
→ Re-use this digital object via a IIIF manifest
Title
[LM001196E], Telegram from Thomas Alva Edison to George Edward Gouraud, April 24th, 1882
Editor's Notes
My opinion based on experience here is that rival telephone exchanges can never prove satisfactory either to stockholders or public while competition may reduce price public must become subscribers both exchanges to reach all and double charge will necessarily be greater than that of single company furnishing facilities to all besides service better under one management as ever subscriber may be connected to every other. In reply to my inquiries General Anson Stager of Chicago who exploited telephone business in Western States telegraphs. In my opinion there is no profit to Telephone Companies nor proper accomodation public in rival exchanges. Have considerable experience rival exhanges and in judgment all my associates consolidated exchange furnish public better facilities less cost than can rival exchanges. Theodore N Vail General Manager American Bell Telephone company telegraphs By consolidation only can best and cheapest service be obtained, experience proves beyond controversy improved service followed consolidation. Taking into consideration increased service given expense to public comparatively less Rival exchanges unsatisfactory to subscribers and companies alike. J. W. Duxbury Superintendent Providence Telephone company telegraphs best service and cheapest rates can be given under one management. A. B. Kline general manager Albany Telephone company telegraphs our territory covering fifty miles round. Albany public better pleased since consolidation. Service with one company much better than two. A. G. Davis Manager Baltimore Telephone Company telegraphs Telephone service improved by consolodation, competition exchange business unsatisfactory public because were required pay two exchange connections instead one. Warren Croate Superintendent National capital Telephone Company Washington telegraphs public not better served when rival exchanges here Incentive improve service as great as before consolidation Rival exchanges not advantageous public If they want complete facilities compels them pay two exchanges instead one. Henry Metzger General Manager Pittsburg Telephone Co. telegraphs Service improved community better served by one company than by two. W. W. Smith Indianapolis Telephone Co. telegraphs public benefited by consolodation increasing number between whom communication may be had. W. H Bofinger General Manager Louisiana Telephone Co. New Orleans have had no opposition but firmly convinced public best served by consolidating rival interests. F. O. Vaile Manager Colorado Telephone Co Denver telegraphs Colorado experience proves telephone service improved by consolidation Geo. S. Ladd of San Francisco principal owner of California telephone interests telegraphs competition here was too small affect results Under efficient management consolidated company should give equally good service less cost. C. W. Haskins President Milwaukee Telephone co. Service better today than ever competition very bad for public, compels them patronize both exchanges this is the experience all large towns, cities. C. H. Fay General Manager Chicago Telephone Co. telegraphs service improving daily exchange growing fifty subscribers monthly Public Willingly pay increased rates use telephone proportionality believe in but one exchange two cannot permanently exist. W. A. Jackson General Manager Detroit Telephone Co. My opinion public eminently better served since consolidation less relative cost rival exchanges not conducive public benefit. C. F. Size Vice President Montreal Telephone Co telegraphs am told daily service incomparably better more valuable since consolidation public pay willingly twice amount formerly grudgingly paid rival companies. Can conceive no circumstances under which establishment rival companies not detrimental both public and companies. Have fairly tested matters and speak from actual experience. H. P. Dwight General Manager Great North western Telegraph Company Toronto telegraphs Telephone exchange service in Canada vastly extended and improved since consolidation; rival exchanges impracticable and every way undesirable.
Author
Recipient
Mentioned
Date
1882-04-24
Type
Folder/Volume ID
LM001-F
Microfilm ID
83:970
Document ID
LM001196E
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University