Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-10
Correspondence Bearing Upon Tele-
phone Rates in Other Cities.
some STRIKING FACTS PRESENTED
The Bell Company's High Tariff
Where 1t Has Monopoly.
TESTIMONY OF MANY MAYORS

Inc committee on ways ana means OF
the Telephone Subscribers Association con-
tinues to receive striking and convincing
evidences of the fact that competition ac-
teal or threatened against the Bell COM
pany has the effect of most substantially
reducing the rates charged for the use OF
telephones. AS stated in The Star of Tues
day last, the committee of which Mr.. Jas.
NJ. Hoge is chairman has sent out circular
letters to the mayors of numerous cities
making inquiries about the operation of the
telephone companies in their respective
places, and all material information per-
tanning to the subject. Many of the re-
plies were noted then and the contents
Of others will be found in the following
lines.
In Joliet, ILL.,, there are 40 telephones
operated by the Chicago Telephone Com
rany. Business houses are charged from
$24 to $50 a year, and private dwellings
from SIS to 81
Subscribers are not restricted in the use
of the phone. Thirty-six free telephones
are provided for the use of the city. and
the company paid 81 400 taxes last year.
The company also allows free use of its
poles for police and fire alarm telegraph
wires.
Two Companies I'm Bloomington.
In Bloomington, ILL.,, there are two COM
panies; the Home Telephone Company and
the Central Union. Twelve hundred tele-
Ihones are operated. Business houses are
charged s24 a year and private dwellings,
SIS. There are no restrictions on sub
scribers. The city is provided with tele-
phones free for its use, and the company
POLES may be use for police or fire alarm
wires.
In Decatur, H., the Bell Company and
the Citizens Mutual Company operate.
Each have about 1000 telephones. Business
hon f,x,, ~ nrah
private dwellings, from $50 to So per
month. Subscribers are not restricted.
Belt Company Gets Lower Rates.
In Lafayette Ind. there are also two
companies, the Bell company and the Har-
rison company. There are 1920 telephones
in Lafayette. 1t is evident in this town
that the Bell company is endeavoring to
oNerWhelm the Harrison company, which
is a local concern, because in Lafayette
the Bell company charges $3.50 per month
to business houses, while the Harrson's
charge is $3.50. The Bell company charges
81 per month for private dwellings, and he
Harrison S1.50. No restrictions are placed
on subscribers in Lafay e;te.
In Springfield, H., the Central Union
Company operates 1,2O0 telephones. Bust
ness houses are charged ST. per quarter
ard private dwellings $50. There are no
restrictions here. The city pays one-half
rate for telephones.
In Columbus, Ind, the Bell and Harrison
companies are again competitors and to-
Gether operate total of 1880 telephones.
The charges TO business houses are 81 by
both companies. In private dwellings they
are 6o cents per month. In Columbus
there are certain restrictions on the use OF
the phone.
Low Charges in Frankfort.
Frankfort, Ind, las two companies, the
Central Union and the Frankfort Te,e-
phone Company. About 800 telephones are
operated in all. Business houses are charg-
ed from so cents to s1-25 per month and
private dwellings from 40 to % cents per
Ii onth. The city is allowed free local serv-
ice of the telephone.
In Buffalo, n. Y, the Bell Telephone
Company is the only one operated, and
there are about Z; telephones in use
Mayor Conrad Diehl, III a letter to Mr.. John
L. Newbold of the committee of ways and
means states that the rates on independent
wires $50 for 800 messages. The rates
increase according to the number of mes
sages, $3.50 being charged for 1900 mes
Sages per annum. The use OF the telephone
is not restricted to subscribers alone. There
are no free telephones for use and the city
receives no revenue from the company.
Down in Norfolk.
In Norfolk there is competition, and the
same convincing story is told in the figures.
Two companies operate there, The Southern
States Telephone Company and the South
ern Bell Telegraph and Telephone Compa-
by. One thousand eight hundred and three
telephones are in use in the city. Business
houses are charged $50, and private dwell
ings SIS per annum The use of telephones
by subscribers is not restricted, and the
city offices are supplied with telephones
free. Each company pays 500 per annum
to the city, and 81 for each pole within the
city limits.
In Erie, Pa, the Mutual Company and the
New York and Pennsylvania Company,
which is branch of the Bell Telephone
Company, operate. The Mutual Company
has from 100 to 500 telephones, and uses
the metallic circuit throughout. Business
houses are charged $40 per year and private
dwellings sos. Their use by subscribers is
not restricted. The mayor of Erie, in reply
ing to the inquiry of the committee, said
the New York and Pennsylvania Company,
in connection with the Bell Company, was
the cid company, but they charged SO many
different rates that 1t was difficult to give
any definite information regarding them.
In Minneapolis the Northwest Telephone
Exchange Company, operating $500 tele
phones. is the only company. A rate
of SO per month is charged for both bust
ness houses and private dwellings.
There are two companies In Little Rock.
Ark.-the Southwestern Telegraph and
Telephone Company and the Little Rock
Telephone Company. Business houses are
charged $50 per month, and private dwell
ings $3.50. Each company pays SO cents
per pole to the city.
Milwaukee, High Tariff
In Milwaukee there is but one company,
the Wisconsin Telephone Company, which,
of course, is the Bell company. There are
$3.50 telephones in use. Metallic circuit
lines are S120 per year, with $40 additional
for each quarter mile. Grounded circuit
lines, $72 per year; $3.50 additional for each
additional quarter mile.
Private dwellings on metallic circuits, SO
per year, and $3.50 for each additional quar-
ter mile, and on grounded circuits, So and
20 additional for each additional quarter
MILE The use of the telephone by SUBJ
scribers is restricted. There are no free
NEuu DIIDI AmInNc