Evening star., 1898-07-06
THE TELEPHONE SERVICE
Revival of the Controversy Over the Local
Rates
Circular Issued by the Telephone
ence of a Collector in Georgetown.

gress in regard to telephone rates, circu-
lar, signed by Henry F. Woodard, secre-
tary, is being sent to the members of the
Telephone Subscribers Association of the
District of Columbia.
The circular begins with copy of the
act Of Congress, which is:
Provided, That from and after the pas
sage of this act it shall be unlawful for
any person or any telephone company do
ing business in the District of Columbia to
charge or receive more than $50 per annum
for the use of telephone on g. separate
wire; $40 for each telephone, there being
not more than two on wire; $50 for each
telephone, there being not more than three
On a wire, and S25 for each telephone, there
being four or mora on the same wire"
Mr. Woodland than says:
the attorneys for our association srs-
EeSt to members:
First. Persons or firms who made con-
tracts with the telephone company for one
pired, are advised to pay the company's
charges under protest and reserving all le-
gal rights.
Second. Persons and firms whose year.
ly contracts have expired, and have not
been renewed will notify the company that
they desire to terminate their contracts Mt
the expiration Of ten days next after the
receipt of such notice by the company, and
should request bill and pay the charges
up to and including the date of said ter
minatiOn.
Third Persons or firms who have linn
ited call contracts can terminals the same
by notice in accordance with their terms.
Fourth. Assuming that contracts have
been duly terminated subscribers are ad-
vised to signify to the telephone company
their intention to rs-contract for telephone
service under existing law and send the
company $3.50 in money, in advance for
the first quarters service.
Fifth. Non-subscribers desiring tele-
phones should tender the company $3.50
in money, In advance for first quarters ser
vice, and request that the instrument be
put in.
Sixth. Evidences Of all communications
sent to the company should be preserved"
Removal of Receiver.
1t is understood that telephone SUBJ
scriber has notified the company that he
would terminate his contract after ten
days. and in acknowledging the receipt of
this communication he was informed by
the company that his telephone would be
removed upon the expiration of that time
1t is proposed to ask for an injunction to
prevent the company from removing it's
telephone in cases where the rate fixed by
Congress has been rendered. In this way
the new law will be tested.
1t has also been suggested that injunc-
ton proceedings could be begun to compel
terms OF the law have been complied with
on the part of prospective subscriber.
Collector on His Rounds.
The collector of the telephone company
visited Georgetown this morning to make
the quarterly collections for the service.
Bills made out at the old rate had been
previously rendered by mail. The collector
demanded payment at the old rates, where
upon a number of tho subscribers repre-
senting the largest Institutions in George
town, produced the new law just passed by
Congress regulating tho price of phone
service.
The collector visited the establishment
of Cropley, Boteler & Cranr ton, dealers In
agricultural implen ents, on NJ street this
morning. Under the old law the company
paid at the rate of $S5 per annum for the
telephone service, but under the new law
only $25 would be required. The quarterly
payment was made by MIR. Boteier of the
firm, who paid In cash, giving $3.50 more
porter Mr.. Hoteler stated that he paid the
mCney, not knowing of the new law at the
tfTe, though ten minutes afterward he
was aware of it, He Immediately made a
demand for refund of the oyerpayment
but this was refused.
Il telephoned Mr.. Bryan" said he, ''but
he refused to accept money under the new
law. He also refused to take the telephone
out. He further stated that he would not
refund the money unless the courts de-
creed that he should. We do not intend to
lose the money" said Mr.. Boteler, In con-
ciusion.
A Grocer's Action.
In another instance the case of n we'll