The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-15
TELEPHONE SLOT MACHINES.

! IA AYOR PHELAN in addressing the conven-
! I | ton OF the League OF Californian Municipal
ties referred to the tax problems which will
confront San Francisco under the new charter and
advocated an increase of the taxes upon licenses.
In the course Of his remarks he is reported to have
said: I'VE have 10000 nckel-in-the- slot telephone
machines in this city which, if properly taxed would
yield the city revenue OF from $4,000 TO 100000
annually"
The Mayors estimate given in round numbers
and undertakes the revenue that might be derived in
the way suggested. At recent consideration OF the
subject by the License Committee of the Board OF
Supervisors the testimony given showed there are
about 1000 nicke-in-the-sot telephones operated
in San Francisco. II there were levied upon
these adequate tax the income to the municipality
would go far toward making up the deficit in license
taxes which will otherwise follow from the adoption
of the new charter
The present Board OF Supervisors has already
taken steps toward the imposition Of the desired tax
resolution to that effect was introduced some time
ago. That resolution, was pointed out by The Call
yesterday, has been delayed upon one pretext or
another until this time. 1t is now in the hands OF
City Attorney Lane, to whom it was referred for
report upon its validity. Mr. Lane cannot be ignor-
ant OF the fact that the telephone company is seek
ing delay OF the further fact that the delay has
reached a point where it has become dangerous.
The term of the present board will soon expire and
from every point OF view it is desirable that his re-
port be filed in time for the Supervisors to take final
action at their meeting on Monday.
In addition to imposing the license tax the resolu-
tons as introduced contained the further excellent
provision that the telephone employees should make
the switch desired before requiring the patron Of the
line to drop the nickel in the slot Under the present
system OF doing business the company plays the
'gouge game" upon the public, for frequently after
the nickel has been dropped in the slot and is beyond
recovery, the patron is told the line is engaged the
party is not in to come back another time or given
some other impertinence in exchange for his money.
If he persist in demanding his rights the "buzzer' is
turned upon him and he has no recourse
The resolutions now before the board are then
doubly commendabe by reason OF the fact that they
provide for protecting the patron we'll as for i'm
posing license tax upon the company If these reso-
uons be returned in time their passage can be relied
upon, for the present Board OF Supervisors has
proven itself faithful to the interests Of the people and
has made high record for efficiency in office Upon
Mr.. Lane therefore, the responsibility Of the sit
uation. Secretary Eaton, to whom the company has
entrusted the management of its fight, will lay his
conduts and provide free wires back yards in vain
Such at any rate is the outlook and il Mr. Lane de-
lays to make his report in time for the board to act
the people will know whom to blame