The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-15
THE TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERS.
Meet and Thank Congress for Good
Work Done.

Meet and EEank Cong FeSS for Good
Work Done.
The Telephone Subscribers Association
held meeting last night at Wizards
Hall
The meeting was rather congratula-
-0ry one. as that association believes il
Is on the road to success in its efforts 10
secure better telephone service and lower
rates
The meeting was opened by Col. o.
G. Staples, who announced that there had
been "a request made that choir Of boys
who had sung at the benefit given 70 the
sufferers by the Maine disaster should
sing. The boys were very enthusiasticaI-
~ received.
Col. Staples said that at the time Of
calling this meeting it was supposed that
no further Legislation would be enacted at
this session Of Congress, but that they
had been informed that there was likely
70 be much good work before the law
makers dispersed. He paid a compliment
T. the newspapers Of Washington He
said that they had helped materially in
this cause.
,. II. Warner addressed the meeting.
lie was Of The opinion that Congress
would listen to the people when they
spoke in regard to the abuse Of fran
Chises. He warned the railroad men that
unless they showed a more liberal spirit
they, too. would be looked after He be-
levec that the differences between the
telephone company and the subscribers
might have been settled by arbitration if
the company had been willing 10 meet the
subscribers with "A spirit Of compromise.
Colonel Staples gave brief history Of
the rise in price Of the telephone service.
beginning al $50 Il year and going UP 10
So
Mr.. J. j. HemphiH then outlined the
progress Of legislation at the Can't
t0L He stated that the Bell Tele-
phone Company was the only company In
The United States that continually in
creased lis charges without a single in
stance OF reduction. Mr.. HemphiI said
thar the citizens were determined 10 pay
only reasonable rate for the service rem
dFed. The capitalization Gi this Washing
ton company was FIVE times that OF the
telephone company in New York City
Mr. Hemphill said that there was one
fact developed 10y this agitation. and thai
was thar when rhc people got together
and demanded anything reasonable Con
gross would gladly grant it, But the
Bell Telephone Company was capitalized
-. s25."9p9 and that they We're not going
- have their rates cur in two here I'm the
Capital City without putting Up a hard
fight
FIR. " w Danenhower asked Nh.
HemphiH whether il was likely that the
amendnent that had been passed by both
Houses ol Congress would be changed
when the h.H goes 70 the Conference Com
mittee. Ar. H-mphiu said that he thought
the bill would mol be changed in this re-
spect
Questions were asked By some Of the
member present IL contracts which had
NOT expired would be affected by the new
law MIR HempA.ll said ne thought the
neT rates wanld apply TO an phones.
Mr. Staples was 81 the opinion that the
best way 10 be sure Of success was TO get
new company here.
Mr. George J.. Emm0ns was the next
speaker Hg said that ne felt like giving
thanks for what had been achieved and
he hoped for more. He urged that the
members Of the Subscribers Association
should not lose their enthusiasm but con
tinue the fight. Ii Mr. Bryan wished 10
do So he could tell Congress exactly what
the cost both Of construction and
maintenance were. but thar his system of
bookkeeping as developed by his answers
q the investigating committee was very
unreliable Mr.. EmnOus was not in ia
y0r Of two telephone companies.
Mr. A. Biney was called 10 the
platform. He said ho felt very much en-
ceuragcd hy the progress 1Eat had been
made. The value Of tho telephone F"
said he. consists entirely on the use
which the pubic gave il"
Two resolutions were passed by tn.
meeting one 10 the effect that the legal
committee Of the association retained to
defend The members Of the association in
all matters pertaining 10 telephone rates
the other was "a resolution Of thanks 10
Congress for their action in the matter