CHAPTER XII 



THE RURAL TELEPHONE 



THE development of the rural telephone service during 

 the last generation has been a leading factor in the ameli- 

 oration of country life conditions. According to data 

 compiled by the Bureau of the Census 1 there were 17,902 

 farmers' telephone lines in the United States in 1907, 

 including 565,649 telephones ; the largest development of 

 lines occurred in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Indiana, 

 and Ohio. At the same time there were three hundred 

 and sixty-eight mutual or cooperative systems which are 

 organized principally in the rural districts operated by the 

 commercial companies. 



A farmers' telephone system as understood by the 

 Census Bureau is one that has no regular exchange or 

 central of its own, but which may or may not be connected 

 with the exchange of a Bell or of a commercial or mutual 

 system. These lines are not incorporated. A mutual or 

 cooperative system is operated primarily for the conven- 

 ience of its members, and not for profit. The members 

 are assessed to pay expenses of operation, maintenance, 

 and extension. Many of these cooperative associations 

 are incorporated. The commercial systems are operated 

 primarily for profit and comprise the Bell system and 

 independent commercial companies. 



1 " Telephones," 1907. 

 299 



