New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-20
TELEPHONE COMPANIES PROTEST.

THEIR SIDE OF THE CASE PRESENTED on THE
QUESTION OF COMPULSORY LOWER RATES
Albany. March l9.-Thc Telephone Rate Re
duction bill was taken up by the Senate Cities
Committee this afternoon. John 6. Milburn. OF
Buffalo. said he might fairly presume that the
bill had now been perfected by its friends so that
/, was a lust, reasonable and equitable measure.
Because it was so called in it's original form. 1t
was favored by various uniformed local bodies.
He considered II an oppressive and defective meas
ure and on this criticism It was Withdrawn. He
now proposed consider the revised bill. and said
frankly that it was the plausible. adroit
measure as before and just oppressive.
He reviewed the proposed fiat rates fixed by tho
bill which he said. absurdly low and ruin
GUS 1t might be supposed MAT these rates had
some rational basis. but they had not any
than had the In the original bill which were
confessedly erroneous. Referring TO baltimore.
nopulation 40ryc. he said the Legislature fixed
fat tate at SIS. and the telephone company rem
derod a service as best It could Then the movers
for reduced rates willingly asked TO amend the bin
and ,o,, the rate is $40 In Indiana 4 bill was
r.esod fixing a fiat rate at $3G but after short
experience there was puDhc Outcry Tor repeal of
the opprossive legislation and it was repealed
Mr. Nilburn then took up the other features Of
the nroposcd bill. which. he asserted, was cuinsi-
" drawn in uncertain language. In BunaIo' ne
said the toll system prevails and Is sdtlSiac'oiS'
Tho h,u now provides a fiat rate with the proViso
for a toll system II desired the asSeruo" 'ha
the companies are be allowed 10 maxi ~ PEI o"'
ON their investment has given the bili some h''Ic
popularity But the bill does not DO this' ana III
that respect works an unwarranted haiuS"'P !"
stockholders. Mr. Milburn illustrated TINS by h"-
r,erous cases and answered number OF questions
asked by the committee bearing on MS as'efuohS'
He said such an unfair ana crude OH Sno"'' "o'
be allowed pass. lie ala not DeieVe t'e'e wac
any precedent for such legislation Vi any "e'''
sity for it. nj.
Jonn A. Delchanty for the Hudson River Tele-
rhone Companv said It's business was conducted IN
eighteen counties But In spite Of TINS EXTENSIVE
service not single person has apped'cu III 'i''
of the bill reducing the rate When such S'a'e u
satisfaction exists why should me LcsiSld i NM
a. intdrfere win Albany rates when nobody m
terestcd asks them to do So He dl9 i'o' 0o'''''''
Jackson Wallace representing the NV 10, 9rh ana
NewJersey Telephone COMPANY Sald 'hr M, o'' ts i
compel them to do business at a loss, me fo' -
fixed by the bin for Brooklyn would not pay .nt
actual cost OF operation. lie uiu nov assault on
companies that had made large investments 81, ~ a
new field and Tow were just beginning " '''P
Mr. Brandagee for the Central New.York Tele.
graph and Telephone Company pfo'eS'e' "s"'''''
At $50 o'clock Mr. sterne suggested that all arsn,
menis be limited or that one man De Se''''" "
speak for the remaining companies. ~, r.to,.,,b
Mr. Boardman, for the Metropolthh iet t,,rp
in order that as General Tracy could not be
present ne could get acquainted win tle m,' ,h
M Boardman said he wanted to argue Inar tne
state officers were elected to fix telephone rates
~ inns thing continues. the Legislature VIII HOT
amount 20 anything soon" 81,
Senator Parsons chairman OF the committee, SAID
take much more time. but still wanted to be ialI.
~, mr. steTne objected to any more delay re wanlGi
man protested that he represented a company with
SSO1OJ invested capital and that its interests were
too important TO be thus treated.
the hearing will be closed.