The morning times., 1896-03-27

Decision-Re of Veterans.
The Home Telephone Company, applicant
for District franchise, made last appeal
TO the Commissioners yesterday for favor
able consideration OF the bill now before
Congress in its interest, but was again
turned down.
The appeal, in the form OF n typewriter
communication, several pages in length,
was forwarded To Congress along with the
Commissioners recommendation Tor adverse
action upon the BILL for which their favor
was asked.
Referring to the position taken by the
Commissioners in favor OF monopoly by
one company of the telephone business Of
the District, the Home COmpany's plea says:
1T would seem to be incontrovertible that
If the existing company fails to obtain such
a patronage as is fairly TO be expected, and
when such company declines 10 lower the
rates in some proportion, as The burdens
caused by patent ownership are relieved,
then the idea of monopoly should be
departed from. If not some means should
be taken for absolutely securing to the Citi-
Zen, through the old agency, the benefits
which they might obtain through new
agency"
Let it be granted, If it be so urged" "
says the writer, that the telephone SyS-
TEN with the low rates proposed by us is
impra ctcable from the stockholders point
OF view; we ask TO be permitted to take
that risk"
SHOULD MAKE CONCESSION.
Taking up for discussion another phase
of the question, the company says that
however fixed the boards ideas may he
as To the desirabiity OF complete monopoly
in the telephone service i'll this city, il
seems clear that a large number of citi
Zens can be bencf fitted by a departure
from that plan, and the opinion is eX-
pressed that the COmmisSionc should
concede the point in the interest of the
people, and bring it to the attention of
the Congressional committees.
The company says that in framing its
bill every consideration possible was paid
10 the views of the Commissioners re-
srectng the control OF cOnduits.
Addressing the Commissioners, these
points are made:
"You suggested an exclusive right. We
do not ask Tor this. Can there be any
doubt that the public benefit is larger
under the provisions Of our bin than under
thatproposed by you?
You proposed that this exclusive right
shall be sold at public auction. We omit
this for the reason that il is difficult
10 get together Il proper organization, fl
nanCially able to enter into competition
OF this Sort"
plain what public advantage can be
gained by having by tie application OF
the provisions the auction clause more
than would accrue under the company
proposition.
FIGHT FOR BAR LICENSE.
The IDcorporatorS OF the West Wash
ington Hotel Company, repre- sented By
Attorney William Dickson, made an effort
yesterday afternoon 10 secure recon
sideratiou by the excise board OF the
order rejecting The company's application
for harrOOm license. The hotel - located
near the corner OF Thirty second and NJ
streets.
The manager of the hotel, & 4. uassel
berger, ANA the seven others interested in
the Eousc as company inIorpCratUrs, were
present
The charges upon which the license was
rejected embraced a number OF alleged
violations OF the law, aud III addition. Tie
police reported their suspicious OF Sunday
sales to persons not legally entitled 10 be
called guests. The members all denied the
accuracy OF the charges on file.
Those present for and of the company
were: Joseph b. Roller, prt sdent; John
II b. BuSchcr, vice president; Rudolph
Peters, secretary; Joseph SChladt, treas
urer, and L. L. Downham, cx-mayos of
Alexandria; George J Berslcy and o. G
Mccall. Attorney Shoemaker, representing
the Auti-Saloon League, questioned the
gentlemen n 10 the number of shares held
10y each, and also stated his reasons for
opposing reconsideration, based upon the
charges, which he said, were strong enough
to cause rejection.
Mayor DO wuham vigorously yob1eCtedto oi,e-
ing Cross-eXamined by Mr.. Shoenlaker. He
denied the right OF anybody 10 ask such
questions as were propuundcd. He re
garded them Is highly Impertinent. Judge
or arli inf 4 70
tleman that the questions were not improper
and advised him to answer them
Mr.. Dixon made an earnest plea for his
clients. He declared the hotel to be
properly conducted and that its list OF
guests embraced many distinguished men
He declared he had gone TO the house last
night and found the Treasurer OF the United
States in the summer garden drinking beer
and listening to the music.
It's not customary forthe board TO reverse
a decision, but one instance OF the kind
having occurred since the present members
were appointed. No intimatiun was given
however. of the probable action in this case
RECEIVING THE VETERANS.
The board recently appointed to select
the citizens committee to take charge
Of the arrangements for receiving and en-
tertaining the visitors to Washington at
the national encampnent of L. V. l.. next
October had an informal meeting in the
office of Commissioner Ross yesterday aft
ernoon.
The board consists OF Col. Luke Kelley
NJ. NJ. Parker, Lawrence Gardner. John
JOY Edison and Mr.. Ross. All We're present
but Mr.. Edison, who was uDavoidably de-
tanned elsewhere.
After discussion il was decided to defer
the selections until the chairman OF the
executive committee shall be agreed npon,
as it is deemed to he of Importance that
whoever is placed at the head of affairs
shall be consulted in the selection Of his
colleagues.
Building permits We're issued yesterday
as follows: To jerome Lawler, for stable
in rear OF No. 2109 street northwest,
$1,000; NJ. NJ. Goldenberg, general repairs
to No 926 Seventh street, 81 800: NJ. A
Tappan, general repairs to No. 1913 Penn
sylvana avenue, $500; NJ. Ormc, ad-
dition to house at Valley View, near
b Brightwood. $500: George a. King,
dwelling, No. 1911 Twenty-eighth street.
G1