The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-10
THE TELEPHONE INQUIRY
President Bryan Very Affable
But Very Tardy Man.
MIFFED HOUSE COMMITTEE
PeremptoriIy Instructed 10 Produce
at Least Some Facts Pertaining 10
His Lone-Delayed Report Today
Commissioner Wight Gives Facts
Regarding Charges Elsewhere.

Mr.. s. NJ Bryan. president Of the Ches-
apeake and Potomac Telephone Company,
is a very clever gentleman, and is well
versed in the routine Of Congressional in
ouiries and legislation. He was witness
yesterday before the subcommittee APP
pointed by the House TO inquire into the
telephone and gas service in the District
Of Columbia. The committee were none
the wiser after Mr. Bryan had finished
what he had gone there to say, which was
in effect that he desired more time 10 col
Iect facts before saying anything. The
committee plainly showed its displeasure
al Bryan's tactics for delay, when.
through Chairman Grout the committee
peremptorily instructed Mr.. Bryan to pro-
duee today partial report of the fun re-
port that he has so long delayed present
ing TO Congress.
When the telephone inquiry began yes
terday Commissioner Wight was the first
70 give his views on the subject. He said
that the House had added an amend
ment to the appropriation, and since
then the District Commissioners had
prepared a tabulated statement respect
ing costs and charges in respect TO tel
ephOne service in other cities, supplied
by the Bell Telephone Company, under
conditions similar 10 those in this city.
He added that in Nashville Tenn. where
the population is about the same as in
Washington, the company pays 81 10
the city for each subcTiber and
charges g I-3 per cent less than in
Washington.
IN Harrisburg, Pa. rates are per
cent IN excess Of those in Nashville.
There Is no apparent reason for the in
crease.
He added that the Commissioners had
written TO thirty or forty mayors Of
cities for the Information in the tabu-
lated statement which he submitted 10
she committee.
Mr.. Dockery asked If any Of the re-
ports covered operation by the under
ground system, and Mr.. Wight replied
that the one from Baltimore, which -
partly an underground system did.
The Commissioners felt that if they
were required 10 report as 10 the cost
Of the company TO supply service, they
could not do IL without more specific
information than they have. They were
unable to ascertain the local company 5
legitimate expenses and receipts. The
company claims that The increase of the
number Of subscribers increases pro-
pOrtionately the cost for service.
MI Wight said that the rates IN
Newark and Jersey City. n. J., are $50,
and IN Washington the cost is sl25.
Jersey City has J. 200 telephones and
there are 200 IN Washington. The local
company is operated under a charter from
New York and not from Congress, and
In the opinion Of Mr.. Wight, il pays no
taxes
Mr.. s. n. Bryan. president of the Ches-
apeake and Potomac Telephone Company
was sworn and he testified that the infor-
nation desired by the committee IS being
prepared and viii be ready within a week.
and that he could furnish partial report
by Friday. The difficulty IN preparing 2
statement. he said,is because the company
does business in West Virginia, Maryland
and the District Of Columbia the ac-
counts OF which are kept together, and
not separated
He WAS directed 10 prepare a partial re.
port TO be submitted today and a de.
tailed statement OF every particular relat
ing 10 the company and its relations with
The American Bell Telephone Company
which Mr.. Bryan admitted owned con.
trolling interest IN the stock lie mus
also furnish annual reports Of the GONNA
~ since 1871 for since that date no re
ports have been made to stockholders
and he shall also show the nature Of tn,
contract between the Western Union Tel
egraph Company and the Bel TeIephon.
Company.
IN addition 10 this. all the details Of tn,
equipment must be supplied.
Before the committee adjourned