National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-12

The company contends that the "toll system of
charges is the only fair and equitable principle for
telephone service so long as the present mode of
communication known as the switch process :"
continues in force which is now performed by
manual labor in the central Office. In this we
agree The expenses of the central Office are
greater as the calls increase in number, the of
the telephone is not uniform and it is but fair that
the charge to each subscriber should be for the
service actually rendered. A transfer of commu-
nications by automatic process will dispense with
the operatives now performing this service, and
thereafter the reasons for toll system will not
exist It is not unreasonable to expect that an
automatic system will be perfected at no distant
day.
a statement is given showing that to obtain a
revenue to meet the actual outlay by the COM
pany in paving royalty, &C.. and to provide fund
for new material S25 must be collected annually
from each subscriber In the matter of service
the officers OF the company submit the following
statement of the current monthly expenses:
Salaries to operatives S6S3.76; correcting and
ranging apparatus through carelessness of the
subscribers S1715i; care &C., of batteries s220O2
half clerk-hire Of business Office 1881 49,
total of 81 4O67i equal to Sl6SO0 per annum as the
cost of service to 600 subscribers being sS to each
requiring on this basis total revenue from each
subscriber of not less than $50 per aunum.
luS SidttS III HAS IcCciNSu coti-
mates and calculations from practical electricians
and experts, whereby it appears that the present
outfit of the company can be duplicated for one
third the estimates given above, that fifteen in
stead of ten years, estimated by the company, is
the minimum period TO allow for the outfit to
out, and that an annual charge of $50
would yield an ample revenue and afford a
q fair profit to the company. The committee
therefore reported the new schedule Of charges
submitted by the company without approval
I'VE have further examined and considered" say
the committee, the practicability of establishing
an independent telephone exchange, but are not
prepared to recommend definite action in that
direction fer the present. 1t seems that the ques
ton whether or not such an exchange can now be
established without infringing upon the present
company is not only doubtful, but undergoing
judicial investigation" The report closes by saying
In view ofthe fact that many of the matters
involved in this question Of charges are profile
NAUTICAL, and that honest differences may exist in
relation to the to be realized by the CON-
pany on the basis of the rates they now propose
and that the toll system Is novelty, coupled with
the assurance made, with apparent candor, on the
part of the new management that they propose to
furnish the best service to its patrons ON the low
est possible terms and to modify the same from
time to time experience may permit and justify,
and desire by the present trustees for trial of
the new system and the further knowledge that
those who desire the use OF the telephone are de-
pending for the present at least, on this company
for the service we therefore, in conclusion, recon-
mend that the members of the association
resume their business relations with the company
and that a trial of the new system at the rates
submitted herein by the company for six months
be agreed upon; and that this association main
tain its present attitude until this recommends
4; ho h,-fb he
developments of the future the question as 10 the
expediercy of organizing another telephone ex
change"
TELEPHONE TALK.
Mr.. Morrison moved to lay the report on the
table. He was not yet ready, he said, to pull out
his plug" 1t was contended that the report
must first be received
Mr.. Stephenson moved to adopt the report.
Mr. Baker asked the per cent. of reduction be-
tween the rates proposed to the company and those
now offered.
Secretary Pratt read from previous report
showing an advance of nearly one hundred per
cent.
Mr. Greenlees said the adoption of the report
would practically break up the association. and
any recommendation looking to a division was
unvise They should maintain their organization
and stand firm. They could better afford to do
without the telephone than the company do
without the subscribers. The new officers Of the
company have offered only little courtesy, but no
reduction.
Mr.. Presbrey said he had begun to use the tele-
phone at Sis per year, and nothing yet submitted
showed that at this rate it was not a good
investment. The adoption of the report would
be to abandon everything contended for,
and would be SELF to the Telephone Company.
He did not think that such body of men could be
hoodwinked. What was wanted was a cheaper
telephone.
Mr.. T. L. Hume explained the status of the ex-
ecutive committee. He said they had endeayored
10 get reduction, and did not propose to sell out