New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-29
FOR LOWER TELEPHONE CHARGES.


NETWORK BUSINESS MEN ARGUE IN FAVOR OF
SENATOR M'MAnON's BILL
saox TINE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBuNEl
Albany, March cs.-The telephone monopoly OF New
Work City and Its charge Of $40 year for fcie-
Yones were denounced to-day In fitting terms before
the Senate Committee OH Miscellaneous Corporations
al Which Senator Plunkit Is thurman There up
peaie ed before the committee in favor OF eenatcr NC
1fahons bill creating commission TO reduce 'eie
pAone charges large delegation from the New-Aork
Telephone Subscribers Association Among this num-
Der we're silas NJ. GiddingS {. G.. shayne, Johh A.
Macknnon, W. d. Stewart, John y Fitzpatrick
Stephen Ransom The ,dore r. Tone and Frank s. Gard
ner. Edward Elliott and Charles +. Davies came 10
represent the Coal Exchange.
When the hearing began Senator Plunkitt asked
Mr. Gddings to supply list of the names OF the leie
phone Subscribers Association. Mr.. Gidd'ngs sald
there were 1000 subscribers and he would send their
names 10 the committee. "The New-York subscribers
are q long suffering community he said, but last
.srav finally breaks their backs The charge OF
eq4o a yeor, for our telephones Is the last straw
Our bill provides for q commission to regulate eie
ph one charges .....
O. G.. shsyne said m. part ave are here TO ask
voa relieve V vof the burdens from wmch we nav.
been suffering Every sensible man Is aware 'iat
there must be- s1sit Shsrgn II profit in any business.
Va have boon u,ads-a-target for abusive charges
however by the telephone company We come 10
yod, the representatives Of the people OF w-lorh'
TO ask you TO do justice. 1t Is not Just 10 Dc
compelled pay $50 for telephone that is gwen
70 any other citizen In any other city fer go.
Tho people Of New-York and Brooklyn acquainted
with this evil and the people elsewhere In the State
are aware OF it. and they will hold this Legislature
responsible If 1t does not pass this DILL
- John Y. Fitzpatrick said he represented the Board
Of Trade ami Transportation. Since he came to
Albany he had visited one Of the largest stores and
A. tlxot. len cnsf
elO0 Yet In New-York the company desired $24o
for tho same service. "This Is great swindle.'
be said, "and Democrat tell you that i can
control 10000 votes In New-York City, and unless
you do something lessen the awful charges Of the
telephone companies shall turn you out Of office.
Edward Elliott Of the Coal Exchange said he repre-
scutsd 40 .roalr dearr who protested against the
high charges Of the telephone companies. They be-
Msved their charges were extortiOnate.
Charles r. Davies who represented the Retail Coal
Exchange, said 1t was no longer optional with the
merchants Of New-Yoik whether not they should
have . telephone. People bought their coal In by
telephone orders. New-York telephone subscribers
were paying two or three times much for their
telephones they should. ~
s.Have you ever taken into consideration the
expense Of these messages ~ inquired Senator Plum
NIT. '- :"
Ii had to pay at the rate railroads.
replied Mr. Davies, should have to 20 out Of bust
ness:.sl ga -.
What want to know said Senator Plunktt. as
the actual cost OF each message to you. have made
careful estimate OF messages sent through
Germs which am acquainted with. and 1 find that
they cost only seven eiSiyths Of. a cent
Yes replied senator McMah0n, 1" aud the tele-
phone company has six eghths profit. hut the Ques-
ton Is not what the service costs for each message
but whether the New-YOrk telephone subscribers are
not paying extortionate rate compared with other
cities. 1t has bcen shown that putting the wires
underground only cost tie telephone company s1G
subscriber and yet they propose TO raise the rates
600 on every subscriber.
As there 10000 subscribers said Mr.. Fitz-
patrick. e that means that the telephone monopoly
proposes to get S0O0OOO out OF the telephone Of
Etx-fUrk.- 1t Is most oppressive monopoly. and
believe the people of New-YOrk will punish the
political party responsible for TIRE continuance OF the
monopoly unless they pass some bill for DIR relief"
Mr.. Giddings read letter from James q. BlOss,
preeIdent Of tie New-York Cotton Exchange, urging
favorable action upon Senator McMabOn's bill. and
the hearing then ended.