The times., 1898-02-22
THE PHONE MASS MEETING
A Largely Attended and En-
thusiastic Gathering.
TO START A NEW COMPANY
Several Gentlemen Urge This
Method of Retaliation Against the
Chesapeake aud Potomac Concern
Congress To BE Asked to Help
Secure Lower Rates.

A mass meeting was held last night at
WiIlard's Hall to protest against the high
rates charged by the Chesapeake and Po-
tomac Telephone Company, and TO effect
q permanent organization for a cheaper
service.
The han was crowded with enthusiastic
supporters Of the movement.
A letter was read from Gov Pingree.
OF Michigan. which outlined the success
of 4 similar movement in Detroit. He
stated that a new company was organ
lied i'm that city, and the rates had been
greatly reduced and the service improved
Letters we're also read from residents
. OF this city. as follows: DR. Marvin a
Curtiss. George and William b. King,
i. II. Walker & Co, William Muelhaus-
en-. DR. johnson, George W. Merren &
Co, W. p. Schumacher. b. b. Earnshaw q
Bro. J. ". Gennings, b. c. McQuay, j.
{. Spring. Elphonzo Youngs & Co. .Messrs-
W. F. Mattingly & Co, and the Wash
ington Trained Nurses Association.
All of these letters expressed the de-
sire on the part OF their authors to co.
operate for The success of the movement
10 get a telephone service and cheaper
telephone rates.
Col. O. G. Staples was elected perma
nent president; Thomas ". Smith, first
vice president; II. l.. L. Johnson, second
vice president; Henry f. Woodward, sec
retary; Forest =. Tralles assistant sec
ret3ry; W. W. Danenhower. treasurer; \.
NJ. Lothrop W. II. Moses, Frank b.
Noyes, Beiiah wilkins. J. Louis Loose,
Edward ID. Thomas, Y. B. johnson. Hora-
Ito Browning, Thomas r. Marshall, T. J.
Meyer, VI. B. Davis, J. NJ. Hoge, I. X.
Raymond; Fred {. Geisking. r. W. Bar
ker, ]. L. Newbold. G. A Shehan. W. S.
Thompson {. C. Stott. Joseph Richard
son, r. G. Rutherford. W. NJ. Harper, J.
Ford Thompson and 4. Y. Babhitt. board
of managers.
Mr.. A. A. Birney, chairman of the COM
mittee to secure proper Legislation by
Congress. read a memorial which that
committee had prepared to present to
Congress.
This memorial sets forth the condition
OF service and exorbitant rates that are
now in operation in this city.
Mr.. Biney cited several cities which
had opposition companies. and which OBJ
tained thereby very much cheaper rates.
He stated further that the capitaIiza-
phone Company was S. $50 900. and that
the total cost of their plant was only $780,,
eo9 They, however, pay a dividend on
this fun amount
Mr.. Staples was rather i'm favor of the
organization Of new company.
Mr.. Thomas R. Marshall. who is chair
man of a committee TO confer with the
president of the telephone company, Mr..
Bryan, stated that he had presented
communication to Mr.. Bryan and was told
by him that this organization represented
only per cent of the telephone sub
scribers Of Washington.
Col. Mckay also addressed the meeting
and urged the association TO demand
their rights in Congress.
1t was ascertained that there were over
800 telephones represented AT the meet
ing.
Col. Tyler moved that new company
be at once organized.
MIR. George r. Emnlons thought that
great step had been taken, and when the
old company found out that this associa-
tion meant business IL would reduce rates.
r.. y. Harper introduced a resolution TO
the effect that the association should
make a demand for the following rates:
Fifty dollars for a telephone with one
on a wire, and $50 for three or more on
a wire. The resolution was not voted on.
Mr.. Tyler said that he thought no one
as they were necessity, but that there
w.ss no use in paying the eXorbitant rates
now charged, and he urged the establish
ment of a new company.
Mr.. Birney said he had communicated
with the Automatic Company and they
had Informed him that they had the cap
ftal and everything necessary except the
right 10 lay their conduits. Their rates
would not exceed s4S a year.
Capt. Miller said that he was one of the
fifsl subscribers of telephone in the
District and that the price was only SIS.
AT the end OF the first year the price was
raised To $50. and ii had been rising ever
since. lie was of the opinion tha llla new
company might raise the price also or
combine with the old one. Mr.. Miller
said that Congress should be urged 10
pass q law providing that the rate shall
not be over $50 a year.
Mr.. Hoge. chairman of the committee
on ways and means, was requested to re-
port He said that the committee had
approved the idea of a new company
vote of thanks was extended 10 the
newspa pers in this city for their hearty
cooperation with this movement
The meeting adjourned 10 meet at the
call OF the chair.