Evening star., 1898-03-15
TELEPHONE RATES
Business Men Interested in Reduction
Hold a Meeting.
PROMINENT CITIZENS TAKE PART
Discussion of Local Situation and
Resolutions Adopted.
VI, TT ~ r-~ ~
ANKS TO CONG ESS

7 II ANkS TO CON RESS
Those business men OF the District of CO.
lumbia who Use telephones held an enthu-
siastic meeting last evening at Willard
Hail. The gathering was called by tho
Telephone Subscribers Association, and
was largely ATTENDED.
Mr.. o. G. Staples. president of the asso-
citation, acted chairman. and ii. II.
Woodward was secretary. Ex-Representa-
tive J. ]. Hemphin occupied a seat on
the platform and Senator Pettigrew ani
ex-senator Dubois were present. Among
the large number of prominent hUsness
men in attendance were Jesse D. Wilson,
Col. Robert Boyd, ID. L. Kleps. Daniel
Lochran, James G. Bowen, II. Bradley
Davidson, II. Z. +. Johnson. h. B. LATER
ty, Joseph Gawler, Alfred Terry. VIM. T.
GaIliher James Cunningham W. A Bart
lett, Wm. II. II. Cissel, DIR. l.. l.. Frederick,
r.. W. Barker. W. W. Chambers. Il. w.
Clark. Thos. r. Marshall. Geo. +. Muth.
Capt Byrne, DIR. r. NJ. Harper, Theo. l..
Harding, J. T. Manning, J. n. Hermann.
Or. Acker r. ;. Cain, 7. j. Mayer. IL. ID.
Waibrldge, John l.. Newboid. Edward
Stumph. Frank +. May. DIR. J. ID. Robin
son, w. T. Walker Dr. Richard Kingman,
Morsell. Frank E. Hopkins, Dr. l. 5.
Stone, b. II. Warner. George +. EmmoHs.
owen Owen, W. b. Davis. ID. L. Coon,
Frank X. Raymond. F. B. Behrens.
L. Franklin. W. W. Danenhower. W. J.
Zeh, w. S. Hoge, J. NJ. Hoge, FRANK II.
Wilson, l.. -. Shredder, Robert Hopper and
Jno W. Douglass.
Mr. Staples opened the proceedings. lie
said when the cail for the meeting was is
sued ii was expected that several members
of Congress would deliver addresses. IL
was then thought that telephone legislation
was at an end for the present session OF
Congress, but as il did not SO appear these
members thought it best to say nothing
outside of Congress while the matter was
pending. Mr.. Staples said there was much
iced for the telephone subscribers to con-
tinue the work they had begun SO well.
Patriotic Songs "A Feature.
A pleasing feature of the gathering was
the singing of patriotic songs by a chorus
OF little boys who had lately held an en-
tertainment for the benefit of the Maine
sufferers.
Mr.. b. II. Warner was called upon and
addressed the meeting. He said he was
pleased with TIE legislation relating - the
telephone company which mad been enacted
by Congress- because il was a warning 10
the corporations of the District that when
thu people here cry out against a wrong
Congress will listen to their grievances.
He wanted the railroad companies who are
given valuable franchises within the Dis
trict, and in having such privileges prevent
competition from coming in the District, to
take warning ard to see that they realize
their duties well as their privileges. Mr..
Warner said some time ago he had written
to the president CT the telephone company
saying there was a growing discomfort in
the District over the telephone service. and
he thought the company could effect a COM
tee a-flN. l,,. l-I
received no reply to this letter. He had no
personal complaint to make. but the dsre-
gard of the company for the public discon-
tent had caused him to join those who were
seeking relief from the telephone monopoly.
Mr.. HemphfIrs Remarks.
J. J. Hemphill spoke at some length on
the question of telephones and recent legis-
lation for the lowering of telephone rates.
Mr. Hemphil said the raising of telephone
rates from $50 to S125 had become so mo-
notonous that the patience of the people
haG become exhausted. He said the Bell
Telephone Company and its lessees were
the only corporations that had continually
increased charges. The telephone COM
pany, he said, claimed il was giving a bet
ter service for the increased rate. but he
said the street railroads of the cities are
giving a better services than in the past
and yet there was no suggetion that tha
fare SHOULD be increased. The purpose
of improving such service as that of the
telephone was to increase its business
The people of this city, Mr.. HemphilI
said, did not propose to pay dividends for
watered stock. watered to four or five times
its value. The local company was capt.
tslized at S2.60ooo, with S400.ooo of bonds,
while it was shown that the great telephone
system of New York actually cost but
s6yo,o00.
The Bell Telephone Company, Mr.. Hemp
hill said, is paying 10 or is per cent on a
capitalization of s260oo.Vo0, while its capi-
tai consists of only several patents.
IF you think this corporation will sea
its dividends cut down without a terrible
struggle. you are not fit TO be members Of
this association" said Mr.. Hemphill. Il
would not be surprised il this company
should carry this matter into the courts"
Mr.. Hemphill advised telephones subscrib-
ers to be on the alert, that no back step be
taken. He said il could be shown before
the pending investigation into the tslephons
company's business is ended jus; what II
has cost to build the telephone system OF
the District.
In reply to a question, Mr.. Hemphill ad,
yised telephone subscribers not to sign am
contract with the telephone company until
the legislation provided in the District ap!
preparation bill becomes law.
MIR. Staples said lie did not think the peos
pie of the District should stop with the &C,
tior that had been secured at the hands Of
Congress, but they should endeavor to gel
a competing telephone company here.
Opposes New Company.
Geo. E. Emmons was called upon. He
said no one should now falter in the fight
for an improved telephone service. He said
that Mr.. Bryan's refusal to treat with the
&C mmittee sent to him by the telephone
subscribers had caused him to JOIN in the
movement for cheaper telephones, because
he wanted the telephone company or any
other corporation TO know that there Is
scme power by which the people can have
relief from oppression. The telephone COM
pany, he said, is keeping its books in
very queer way, as is shown by its claim
that it cannot furnish the cost for all work
it has done in the building of its plant. The
fact is, he said, the company could tell the
exact cost of every dollar IL has expended.
Mr. Emmons was opposed to allowing an
other telephone company to come Into the
District and to tear up the streets.
MIR. Birney Satisfied.
Mr. A. A. Birney said he felt well satis-
fed with the result Of congressional action
on the subject of telephones since the last
meeting of the association. The efforts OF
the association, he said. had at last re-
suited In getting Mr.. Bryan on the stand
before the investigating committee. and he
was sure Mr. Bryan was very sorry he