National Geographic : 1919 Nov
A Modern King Canute The people who lived in the good days of the wise King Canute thought he had the power to make the ocean recede at a mere word of command. Today the Bell Tele phone Company finds itself in a posi tion not unlike that of the ancient king. Its mere word will not hold back an ocean of expense. Rigid economy and the most mod ern methods of operation have made it possible for the Bell Company to keep its rates at a far lower level than that of the commodities which it must use in construction and upkeep. But it has felt the rising tide of costs just as certainly as has every business and every family. The one source of revenue of the Bell Company is the price you pay for service. If this price fails to cover fair wages and necessary materials, then both you and your telephone com pany must suffer. For one year the Bell Company was under Government control. The Government analyzed methods and costs; and established the present rates as just. All the Bell Company asks is a rate sufficient to provide satisfactory service to every subscriber. AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES One Policy One System Universal Service "Mention The Geographic-It identifies you"