TAMPICO TORNADO

Saturday, January 17, 1903 page 1

FARMERS’ LINES COMBINE

Farmers’ Telephone Lines in This Section May Combine Into One Company

The mutual telephone lines of Whiteside county, known as the Independent Farmers’ lines, are consolidating into one company, according to the Sterling Gazette. All of the independent lines have agreed to this consolidation, with the exception of the line running directly from Morrison to Prophetstown and known as the “Trout” line. In order to complete the consolidation and get the lines north and wet of Morrison and in Genesse township into the consolidation, it will be necessary to get the “Trout” line.

The consolidation of the twenty independent lines into one organization means much for the service of the subscribers. It is estimated that there are over 700 farmers using independent lines in this county.

The details of the plan are not as yet given out, but the  consolidated company, it is understood, but guaranteed to maintain a lower rate for service, lower than that charged by the two large companies doing business in this part of the state.

Inquiry here failed to substantiate the Gazette’s story. The project has been discussed often and spoken of as desirable, but no definite action ever taken.

TAMPICO TORNADO

January 17, 1903  2;4

A NEW TELEPHONE LINE TO TAMPICO

Roused by the raising of their telephone rates, farmers in the vicinity of New Bedford have gone after the Bureau county independent company’s scalp and will build competing lines reaching out in every direction from New Bedford and giving new lines to Tampico, Walnut, Wyanet and other points, making over fifty miles of lines. The farmers claim that high rates have been imposed upon them and before they will submit they propose to build their own lines. Directors of the new lines have been electe, prominent among whom are Dr. WILLIAMS and Ben MUNSON of New Bedford. The directors have been talking with Haney CAIN of this place and he may be hired to superintend the construction of the lines.