HARRIMAN INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANY

HARRIMAN INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANY. In January 1895 frustrated by monthly rates between $4.00 and $6.00 per month for telephone service, a meeting was held to bring the Harriman International Telephone Company to Dubuque. The new company claimed it could charge between $1.50 and $2.00 for residential customers and $3.00 for commercial sites. The current provider's rates varied by distance, while the new company made no distinction by distance. The metalic (sic) system used by the new system instead of the ground circuit would cause no problem with the street car cables and the electric light wires which produced a buzzing noise. (1)

The Harriman company wanted to sell the plant and instruments outright. The plant was estimated to cost between $50,000 and $100,000 with the cost of putting in the plant and the rates determined by the number of subscribers. (2)

Those attending the meeting felt the goal of the new company should not be "to make money" but to provide reduced rates with a "fair return" to those who invested in it. (3)

In February 1895 a single line was installed between the JULIEN HOTEL and the office of the secretary of the board of trade. A representative of the Bell company announced that a rate war would begin with charges the new company could not match. Observers of the new company's equipment with that of the Bell system found them almost identical. (4)

On February 23, 1895 those interested in inviting the new company to Dubuque met. A committee was established with powers to organize the company. Members of this committee included C. E. Wales, chairman; Marshall M. WALKER; Thomas CONNOLLY; Frank D. STOUT; Nicholas J. SCHRUP, Sr; E. A. Engler, and George Benjamin BURCH. These people would meet with the representative of the Harriman company, determine the cost of the plant, set the rates and then begin soliciting financing. (5)

It was announced in early March that efforts to sign up people for the new telephone company were meeting with great success. An estimated 500 people had indicated their interest. (6)

On March 24, 1895 Central Telephone and Bell announced after a meeting in Davenport that rates would be cut effective April 1st. Along with the rate announcement was the declaration that the companies soon intended to put in long distance telephone service. (7)

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Source:

1. "Cheaper Talk," Dubuque Daily Herald, January 30, 1895, p. 8

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. "War Threatened," Dubuque Daily Herald, February 14, 1895, p. 8. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18950214&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

5. "Assumes Shape," Dubuque Daily Herald, February 24, 1895, p.. 8. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18950224&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

6. "Looks Like a Go," Dubuque Daily Herald, March 7, 1895, p. 8

7. "Cut in Two," Dubuque Daily Herald, March 24, 1895, p. 8. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18950324&printsec=frontpage&hl=en