Extremely expensive long distance fees seem much more likely and also explains why it didn't catch on with other groups.

Hence, an internal disagreement between the original promoters and the accountants/other factions.

No, I think they all agreed not to waste the association's money on vanity long distance calls.

As the article pointed out at the end, it's very likely this special conference call was only possible due to special sponsorship from a big donor or telephone companies.

Hence… an internal disgareement… between the original faction that convinced the sponsors/budgeting groups/etc… and the naysayers.

Despite the apparently glowing write-up from the time, hailing it as a success, no doubt there were constant cringeworthy "technical issues", of crackly lines, poor volume, calls dropping off, etc - I can well imagine the organisers saying: "we pulled it off once, for the lolz, but only just... Never again!"