New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-28
LOWER RATES FOR TELEPHONES.

II can hardly be doubted that a great ma
jority of the users Of telephones believe that
the charges in this city are excessive. III Is IL
matter of common knowledge that the prontS
of the narent company whose main ollces are
in Boston, have been great for many years, ana
have now reached totals that are actually
prodicious. New Workers who pay telephone
hills are convinced as n rule that the gains or
thc local organizations are handsome, ana that
the management ought to be willing now 70
grant reductions. The growth of the telephone
business on and about Manhattan Island has
heen remarkable and there is a general feel
lng that the companies ought to be satlshed
with more moderate rates than those which they
are now exacting. 1t is not only the regular
rentals of telephones with which fault is found,
but also the condition Of things by which the
renter of a telephone in the Borough Of Man
haitian is compelled to pay an extra charge
whenever he calls up the renter of n telephone
in Brooklyn or in the boroughs Of Richmond
and Queens. No person deserving attention
desires to deprive the owners Of the telephone
patents and the telephone properties OF prop
or return on the capital actually invested; but
some measure Of relief from the present tele-
phone schedules ought to be adopted by the
Legislature.
The Marshall-Henry bill, which has been In
troduced at Albany again this session, appears
70 he discreet and judicious. and its supporters
declare that they intend to do no injustice to
the compancs. while they aim TO secure some
relief for the public. They are not working in
favor Of an arbitrary rate bill. nor do they wish
70 cut down the profits of the companies to an
extent which will bring serious trouble upon
hut lie while
fixes rates. provides simple means of chang
Ing them 10 higher or lower figures if these
rates are found on trial to be unjust to the
companies or to the public. 1t IS proposed
that three state officers shall act arbtrators
and that these arbtrators shall investigate the
complaints of subscribers If prices are too high
and the complaints of the companies II prices
are too low No investigation expenses are to
be paid by the state. This plan requires that
the companies shall have an opportunity TO pay
profits OF 10 per cent upon the actual invest
nents in addition to the interest upon bonded
indebtedness. Might it not he prudent and
wise for the telephone companies to abandon
opposition TO this Niarshall-IIenry bill lest
worse thing should befall them? 1t is certain
that no bill which seeks to cOnfscate property
or to take away from the companies an cqulta-
bic rate of profit can obtain the sanction of the
Legislature and the Governor The Merchants
and Manufacturers Board of Trade, which has
been supporting bill much more radical and
revolutionary than the Marshall-llenry bill,
has announced that 1t is willing i'm the public
interest 10 withdraw the measure which ii has
been supporting lest the Legislature might de-
cline to afford any relief TO the public If legis-
latIon too sweeping and drastic were demand
ed. No convincing arguments have been pre-
scented by the companies for their hostility to
n rational adjustment of rates. No public
spirited person who has considered the subject
with care can dispute rhe evident fact that the
present rates are too high. and that the users
of the telephone are entitled 10 reasonable
relief.