Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-08


All above 1900 messages al the rate OF cents
eacn, all charges 10 be 10 the sender only.
reply 10 this communication was received
on Thursday last, wherein, and without fur-
nlS0lnS any data Whatever TO aid the committee
in Its report, the officers OF this COMPANY crIti
clZe the committee and the SUBSCRIBERS Il rap.
resents In It's and their action in The premises
and closing their letter with the unfruthfuI
assertion thar this committee had decine1 TO
confer with the company'S officers before pre-
pairing its schedule OF rates. In addition 10
this, other statements appear Ia THIS letter
which are not correct
As before stated, Stenographic report was
tai ~ Or tne conversation between the Off ,arS
or the e, many and the subcommittee of three
at The corte~ eLCe mentioned. The Off GERS at.
tenifon was called 70 this circumstance by the
cofaiDitee at the time win the statement that
1t would be expected that It's report would %
equally accessible To both part = " leh desired
At a meeting Of the full committed Vtiu on tae
day and after the receipt OF the last-iHenLloned
letter, the secretary was also Instructed 20 ap-
ply TO the company 8 officers for a copy OF The
stenographer's report OF this conversation, 50
that the committee and the subscribers might
have the benefit thereof to which request the
secretary and treasurer Of the company replied
that the report mentioned Is a private record OF
the company, which he did not Ieel at liberty 10
furnish.
The ordinary avenues OF information TO as
certain fair and reasonable price TO pay for
this commodity are not open TO the genera,
public. No competition exists. This impor-
tant, and now almost Indispensable medium of
communication and the dispatch OF business ia
controlled and operated at present ny forml-
dable ana wealthy Combination. The cos6 Of
plans construction, apparatus. ana OF ser
vice is almost entirely within the knowledge
OF the few persons who own or control this
great monopoly. In the District OF Columbia
tnef Is EO law, as in many OF the states, Gre
a.fng commissioners or other officers to exam
me, from time to time, and to report on the
operations and general affairs OF corporations
and OF their relations TO the general public
nf ylNrcrr
lie press OF this city TO furnish the facts stated
1t was and is bound In justice TO its subscribers
and customers, and In explanation and vinit-
cation of the charges concentrated by Its cir
culdr 10 satisfy them by clear and compre-
hensiye statement in detail that sucn charges
are fair and reasonable.
We may also be permitted to state that the
usefulness or the telephone greatly, If not en-
tirely, depends on dispatch and accuracy In the
transmission OF messages and the facilities
offered its subscribers TO converse promptly
with each other. The individual expression OF
the undersigned and il Is almost a universal
cause OF c0mplaint) 10 that the service now
rendered by this company Is unsatisfactory
and operates 10 the great injury and emblr-
rassment OF the subscribers IN It's use. often
durlHg the business hours OF the DAY very little
! use al the instrument can be obtained owing TO
The oftrereated reply from the central Office,
THAT line is busy now" II is IN peEer of tie
! company to remedy this evil, and IT'S attention
Is objected thereto.
Tie company admits that the use and man
infancy.
| that It IS such novelty that no one mere or
| elseW here is as yet experienced IN the most
| economical mode OF managing it; nevertheless
and in the face or these admissions. its officers
! arbitrarily, without consulting or furnishing
! any information 10 its subscribers, establishes
/ system or charges which WILL II how allowed,
| place the subscribers hereafter at the mercy OF
/ the company. with a fair prospect OF further
/ increased assessments in the future. Your
! committee is OF the opinion that the present
| affords a favorable opportunity 10 test 2nt
| settle this issue.
Controlled by a desire to obtain and reccv,
frcm the c1llcers OF this company the facts the.
have sf&Sted through the press, they were no
OILY willing. but anxious 10 furnish, with
view 10 report more fntelligeDtly, schedule O
system Of rates and charges for the use or thi
| ct mmodity and 10 deal fairly and eQuttibl,
with the subscribers and the telephone com
| pany In adjusting the differences nog existing
and relying on and believing in the gOod fat
of the promises OF its officers, the undersiyne
have delay ed, with perhaps considerable iuco-
yentence and injury 10 many or the Suo5crfDar
the preparation OF this report. In the nope TIA
the companys Officers would fulfill their prom
ises. We have concluded that they do not IL
tend 10 do so. The schedule OF charges pr
| posed by this committee Is based upon the bes
Information 1t has been able to command and
| careful consideration OF the whole subject
In closing our report We do earnestly reque.
: | ea"h and every subscriber to stand firm al
, | united in this honorable effort to adjust Il
! issues involved In this controversy, and
| secure the objects Of this association, and Y
| recommend:
: First. That the schedule of rates and charg
. contained In this report be adopted;
Second. That permanent organic alton
!, created. under the name OF "Tne Telephol
!. Subscribers Protective Association of the ID
t-ct of Columbia" and that its officers be as
g present constituted; ana ro,
J. ether things, be especially charged with G
r | duty or ascertaining and reporting at futu
J meeting the feasibility Of establishing or orga