The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-19
THE TELEPHONE RESOLUTIONS.

NACE more the majority OF the Board OF Su-
peHisors have given proof OF a genuine regard
Tor the public welfare by the enactment of
municipal legislation which will be OF material benefit
TO the community. The passage OF the telephone
resolutions yesterday was distinct victory Tor the
people against powerful corporation. Nor was ii
barren victory for il will provide the public treasury
with considerable income by the imposition OF a tax
which is in every respect just and equitable.
The resolutions impose tax OF 81 per quarter upon
all telephone slot machines operated in the city and
provide further that the desired switch shall be made
Tor the patron OF the line before he can be required 10
drop into the slot the nickel which the company
charges for the service.
In each OF these provisions the resolution is excel
lent In testimony given before the License Commit
tee Of the Board OF Supervisors it was stated that
there in round numbers about 900 nicke-inthe-
slot telephone machines in operation in this city By
the tax imposed the city viii obtain from these ma
chimes a revenue OF $4,000 annually That income
while il may be large such machines ought to
yield is still handsome addition 10 municipal rev
enues and imposes unjust burden upon the com
pany Moreover, i is one the corporation cannot
shift upon the public and is therefore the best form
nf taxation which can be devised.
The requirement upon the company 10 make the
switch desired by the patron before it can demand
The nickel irom HIM provides remedy Tor abuse
OF long standing and OF serious evil In the past the
company has required the intending patron to deposit
his nickel before connecting him with the party with
whom he wishes 70 converse, and not inirequently
after the nickel has been dropped in the slot and is
beyond recovery the patron has been informed that
the line IS engaged that the party out or that some
either reason exists why he could not have the ser
vice he had paid for.
San Francisco needs the which will be pro-
Tided by the tax imposed Il will go far toward
making up the deficit in license taxes estimated to fol
low the operation OF the charter The people Of
San Francisco need the protection given by the pro-
vision requiring the switch 10 be made before the
nickel is eNacted Heretofore the public has had no
protection whatever from any fraud practiced by taking
money in that way without giving return for it
Thus in double respect the resolution subserves the
good and the true needs OF the community
II would not be right pass over this matter with
out giving due credit TO the Supervisors who have in
the closing weeks OF their term done this Justice 70
the public. The majority OF the board have been
faithful 10 their pledges made in the campaign whe,
they were candidates for Office They have accom-
plished much good for the CITY and the adoption Of
this resolution is but Of the many good acts Of
legislation which mark their term Of service The
people may well congratulate themselves upon the
work OF this board. and in doing so should not fail
10 give credit where il is due