cover image The Rape of Ma Bell: The Criminal Wrecking of the Best Telephone System in the World

The Rape of Ma Bell: The Criminal Wrecking of the Best Telephone System in the World

Constantine Raymond Kraus. Lyle Stuart, $19.95 (270pp) ISBN 978-0-8184-0468-9

In partisan and often sarcastic terms, two former Bell system engineers argue a strong case that the 1983 antitrust breakup of the AT&T-Bell-Western Electric ``natural'' regulated monopoly (exclusively integrating local and long-distance phone service with equipment manufacture and maintence) was a public-interest ``crime'' and communications ``disaster.'' Among the consequences Kraus and Duerig cite: a now-crippled Bell research lab, a much costlier and less efficient U.S. Defense communications network, and a $45 billion annual cost increase to private and business phone customers who receive equipment and service of greatly reduced quality. The authors make many additional charges, including a questionable ``conspiracy'' theory of media ``silence'' regarding the Justice Department's assault on Ma Bell. And, according to Kraus and Duerig, Presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan were too involved in other crucial matters to intervene. (September)