FIFTY THOUSAND RURAL TELEPHONES EVERY MONTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2803, 4 December 1907, Page 9

FIFTY THOUSAND RU RAL TELEPHONES EVERY MONTH.

A writer on a Chicago daily paper is authority for the .statement that one of the largest operators in western and northwestern lands— a man who thinks nothing of entering- a deal involving 100,000 acre 6 or more— say^ that the telephone is—contributing more to the quick settlement of newly-opened territories than any other onn agency that can be named. It does away with 90 per cent, of the hardships of pioneer life. The telephone is making farming profitable; it enables the farmer to get the highest market for everything he produces. The business advantage of the telephone, however, is only a bmall part of its contribution to the "welfare of the farmers. There- is no more isolation cr loneliness on the farm. Neighbours are always within an instant's call, and the focial features of country life have been increased many fold by placing all tho people in the country in such close relationship. It is possible that not until the census of 1910 will we know precisely how many rural telephones there arc in use, but one can gain a good idea of their number from the statement that the Swedish American Telephone Company of Chicago, 111., is installing 50.000 rural telephones every month. This concern, of course, makes a specialty of farmer*' tele-