Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-04
c. AND p. co. WILL FIGHT
Reduction Of Rates and Competition
10 Be Resisted-As 1t Appears
Before Congress.

has learned that the Chesapeake and Po-
tomac Telephone Company is preparing to
make vigorous fight against q reduction
Ct rates. and against permitting q conl-
petitor or competitors from entering the
field here. and 1t is assumed by the associa-
ton that the American Bell Telephone
Company is back of the local company. IL
is said that ex-senator Edmunds has been
retained as counsel to represent the local
company in the investigation to be made
by congressional committee, and 1t has
been said that Mr.. Edmunds Is also one
Of the counsel for the American Bell Tele-
phone Company. The local company has
been called upon by the House committee
to furnish such Information as may be
given that will enable the committee to de-
termine as to what rates for telephone SER
vice are just.
In this connection the association has
learned that the telephone company has
asked for time in which to prepare a state
ment as requested by the House commit
tee. 80 =. =; .-. -
I'm view of the activity Of the company"
observed one of the subscribers today. 1.-The
association should double it's energies and
make a still harder fight, If we hope to Sc
cure rates that are reasonable and SER
vice such as we demand"
No Change in Plans.
The rejection by the Senate of the tele-.
phone clause tackled on the District APP
preparation bill does not materially change
the plans. of the association
AS stated in The Star. substitute was
drafted by Messrs. J. j. Hemphill and A.
A. Birney for the association, which was
to be offered instead of the clause that was
stricken out of the House District bill by
the Senate. Messrs. Hemphill and Birney
will now endeavor to prevail upon the
House to insist upon retaining the clause
for
conference. Then an opportunity will be
given to have the rates suggested by the
association substituted for those in the
rider to the District bill, providing the
conference allows the telephone clause to
remain on the District bill.
A large number of letters are being re-
ceived daily by Secretary Woodland and
Treasurer Danenhower's list shows SUBJ
stantial growth of the association. 2
Before the Commandments
DR.. H. L. E. Johnson ard Messrs. W. W.
Danenhower. George A. Shehan. E. NJ.
mittee from the Telephone Subscribers.
Association. formed for the purpose of OBJ.
tanning unlimited service and secrecy, as
we'll as reduced rates for telephone service
IL the District. had a conference with the
District Commissioners today, and We're
assured that any equitable adjustment of /
the questions would be very pleasing to
them.
DR.. Johnson explained the points in con-
troversy between the subscribers and the
cal telephone company, stating that the
81 bscribers, while confident that the rates
here are much too high, are not SO much
inclined to object to them they are TO
the lack Of secrecy in the use of telephones
III the District, and to the service, which
they contend Is restricted and far from
good. The association. DIR. johnson stated,
desires the indoors cment of the District
Commissioners in their efforts before Con-
gross In the matter, ar he trusted they
would authorize the committee to inform
the association that it will receive such
desired Endorsement.
The Commissioners authorized the COM
mittee to say to the association that they
are heartily in favor of equitable adj
justment of the differences, and that they
will do all that is proper for them to do.
The Commissioners explained that they are
engaged In obtaining all the information
to be had from the leading cities Of the
country as to rates, service and like mat
tiers, for the purpose of giving Congress the
benefit of the information, and they sug-
gest that II would be we'll for the associa-
ton to do likewise. 1t was also suggested
by the Commissioners that 1t would be an
excellent idea for the association to en-
ploy an expert electrician and send him to
the different cities for the purpose of sx-
amining the plants Of the various tee-
phone companies operating therein.
A general exchange of views followed the
formal conference, and the committee de-
missioners will do all they possibly can to
further thu objects of the associate
Additions to Membership Roll.
The following names have been added to
the membership roll of the Subscribers AS
ISOLATION. in addition TO those published in
The Star: Joshua n. Warfield, Byron S.
Adams. B. H. Warner Co., Samuel Ross,
Chas Mades, Richards s. Co., Edward F.
T. H. Rover, George S. Kraft &
Sons. F. S. Nash. H. l.. Rust. c. E. Wood,
Wood, Harmon & Co., Chris. Xander. Cash.
Kelly & Chamberlin, Grove Lime & Coal
Co.. r. Harris &c Co., Geo. F. Muth & Co,
6 Bro. Eiscman & Bros, DIR.
G. r. Lee Cole Alfred H. Wells Sommer
set r. Waters, Walters & Co., Allegheny
Coal Company, United Typewriter and Sup
ply Company Matthew Goddard A. S.
Snyder, House & Hermann, Stump Bedding
Company. VIM. Hahn & Co., A. e. Eberiy
Sons, w. S. jerks, Chas Jacobson, German
American Fire and Insurance Company of
the District of Columbia.