Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-08
THE TELEPHONE AGITATION.
Meeting AT Lincoln Hall Last wight.
ECCide6 fiction Of the Subscribers.

stF1Acs <EC[iOn 81 fHP StOStPSOfbSs
: large number Of the business and profes-
sional men OF Washington, who are subscribers
10 the National Capitol Telephone COMPANY,
assembled at Lincoln Hall last evening. Mr..
/ @. Zine presided, with Mr.. T. W. Pratt sec
Rotary. Mr.. Hine. ID calling the meeting to
order. said the object was 70 hear the report OF
the committee appointed TO confer with the
Telephone company.
THs REPORT
Mt. J. :. Edwards then read the report Of the
committee, as follows:
The officers and executive committee met for
consultation on the day following the general
IN. tt1ng, and appointed Messrs. H,ne, EDWARDS
and cochran sub committee 70 confer With
the officers of the telephone company AMI 10
ascertain and receive such information as might
De obtained and offered to enable the executive
committee TO perform its duties.
Tnls subcommittee repOrtf a conference held
With the manager. the secretary and treasurer
OF the company, and two OF its stockholders on
the DAY following: that at such conference the
attention or the officers and stockholders there
present was invited TO the articles Ia TIE STAR
and ReIubItcGn Following the reports Ia those
papers OF the proceedings OF the general meet
Ing at Lincoln Hail. who were asked If the
articles mentioned were published under the
sanction and authority Of the company's
officers, and that On being answered I'm the
Affirmative a member of the subcommittee read
that portion OF the article published In The
STAR, which reads as follows: Now that a CON-
miltee has been appointed by those present at
tie meeting yesterday, the officers are not
only willing. But anxious 10 give 10 that com
mittee the exact facts OF the cas- and to snow
to II the necessity OF some change
IN the manner or charging for the use of
the telephones and stated that the com nittee
was there to receive the facts and Information
0nered TO be furnished in the articles men
tohed; Whereupon an attempt was made In
Inc Interest OF the company. TO limit this in
formation TO certain propositions, which the
gentlemen present representing the company
Thought should satisfy the committee, coupled
with the inquiry that IL any Information be
given concerning the company'S affairs which
its officers considered not prudent TO furnish
without restriction and promise OF secrecy,
upon that condition? To which the sub com
mittee replied It could not without the
consent OF the full committee. The sub
c committee further reported that an extended
requested that 1t be furnished with the CAL
cullt1Ons. data, and figures upon which the
compaDyS officers based the contem plated
charges TO the subscribers to the telephone con-
ta1ned In the circular Of the goth or January
last; and also that the sub committee was anx-
1ous TO receive from the company all the facts
IL was willing 10 give without the injunction OF
secrecy, with view, If such facts would Justify,
10 report fair and reasonable rate or charges
10 those using the telephone and a satisfactory
and intelligent report in the premises.
taken br a gentleman who was secured for the
purpose by the company. This conference ter
minated with the impression and belief that at
least some OF the details OF the operations OF
the company would be thereupon furnished,
and that its promises as contained In the pup
1shed statements mentioned would be Carried
out in good faith.
Desiring TO give reasonable time for the
company = officers TO submit any statement OF
facts 10 aid the committee liz It's duties no
further action was taken 10 this behalf until
the 10Th ultlmO, when the full committee met
again to receive and consider a communication
from the secretary and treasurer OF the com
Pany. dated the same day, TO the effect that
before dealing further the company would like
TO know whether the details OF any matters
furnished to this committee are to BE- made
pubic. AT meeting held on the next day
The committee instructed the secretary to in
form the Officers OF the company that it did
not feel authorized to receive any Information
from the company under restriction Of secrecy
unless so authorized at a general meeting OF the
subscribers. and that the following rates would
DE reported and recommended to the Subscrf-
DerS unleSS the company furnished on or before
p. m. OF Wednesday last. such Information
in writing. as would justify the committee in a
modification thereof, VIZ:
Fer the telephoniDg Of