The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-08

tue ueiSpuOHS rate QuC5tIoA anu SS0"o
lished lower rate than has ever before
been known in North Carolina
Following are the new rates fixed by
the Commission:
On and after the first day of Febru-
airy, 1898, all telephone companies within
this State, whether Incorporated or
otherwise, will be allowed a maximum
charge for service as follows, viz:
Place of Business: p Year.
Special wire $50 90
and Party Wire each. ...... "a 90
and Party Wire (eacD ...... Is 90
For Residence: p. Year.
Special Wire ................. SIS w
and Party Wire (each) ....... IS 90
4 and Party Wire each. $3.50. IA 90
This tariff does not apply to service
rendered outside the corporate limits of
any city or town in this State.
On this resolution Messrs. Caldwell
and Pearson voted in the affirmative.
DR., Abbott voted in the negative, Civ
ing as his reason for so doing the fol-
lowing: Il vote against taking
up the telephone rate question again, be-
cause l have been advised by the At
torney General and by my private coun-
sci that the Railroad Commission has
no jurisdiction over telephone ex-
changes
1t will be remembered that the South
ern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Com
pany was first summoned to appear be-
fore the Railroad Commission on May
18th, 1897, to answer the charge pre-
ferred by citizens of Asheville that their
rates for telephone service were high
and exorbitant. The subject was con-
sidered, and after the examination of
witnesses and argument by counsel, the
Commission instructed the telephone
companies to report on June list, giving
certain detailed information in regard
to their business.
On June 1st, after another hearing,
the following circular was issued.
1.-THE Southern Bell Telephone and
Telegraph Company viii be allowed a
maximum charge ANNUALLY, semi-an-
nually or quarterly for telephone rates
as follows:
places of business: Special wire,
S34 per year; ?, party wire, each, $1,000
per year; 3, party wire, each, $3.50 per
year; 4, party wire, each, 5000 per
year; 5, party wire, each, SIT per year.
Residence: Special wire, $24 per year;
2, party wire, each, $22.40 per year; 8,
party wire, each, $50 per year; 4, party
wire, each, S16.S0 per year; 5, party
wire,, each, $14.40 per year. Effective
June 10th, 1897"
On July 31st the case was re-opened
and witnesses introduced by the South
ern Bell and Telephone Company. The
hearing was then continued until Sep
TENDER Both.
On that date other witnesses were in
troduced and the case was closed and
argued by counsel
On October 10Th, the Railroad Com
mission re-issued the above ORDER de-.
Ginning to reverse it's decision of June
LIST. From this decision the Telephone
Company took an appeal.
Then suddenly the Railroad Commits
sion saw new light. This was moth
ing less than our beautiful and accom-
plished Attorney General, who gave to
them his opinion on the subject.
In his letter to the Commission touch
ing telephone rates the Attorney General
said Sec. 26 Of the Railroad Commission
Act by use of the language, make
or cause to be made just and reasonable
rates of charges for the transmission of
messages by any telegraph or telephone
not intend to, and does not, confer upon
the Board of Railroad Commissioners,
the authority to fix rates Of rental of
telephone appliances or boxes"
In accordance with this opinion. the
Railroad Commission dismissed the
whole case, and ordered that telephone
rates remain the same as they were be-
fore the matter was ever presented to
the Commission
This opinion the new Commission yes
terday tossed out the window, and pro-
eeeded to fix the maximum rental charge
for a telephone in place of business at
$50, and for residence at only SIS.
1t is certain that this case will be
fought over again before the Commits
sion, and end by the Telephone Company
taking an appeal. But this the Com
mission expects, and is no doubt pre-
pared for it.
In addition to the telephone rate ques-
ton and the Round Knob freight dis
elimination matters, several small cases
on the docket were taken up.
A letter to the Commission from DIR.
/. y. Ramsey, of Seab0ard, n. c.,
propounded this question: He granted
the Ssaboard Air Line right of way
through his land on condition that they
give him an annual pass during his life.
- es the tpass law forbid such passes
being issued? This case was continued
lur ser investigation.
Sometime ago a depot was ordered
built 1t Lumberton, by the Seaboard.
This has not yet been done. The Com
miss ON directed that the railroad COM
ply at once with the former order.
N. Glenn Williams bought ticket at