The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-22
TELEPHONES IN THE DISTRICT.
A subcommittee Appointed to Look
Into the Rates.

A Subcommittee Appointed to Look
Into the Rates.
Chairman Babcock, Mr.. Pearre OF Mary
land. and Mr. Cowhcrd of Missouri. of the
House District Committee. were yesterday
appointed a subcom mittee to consider the
subject of lowering the telephone rates in
this city. Chairman Babeoek said the OBJ
ject of the subcommittee was to perfect
bill that would protect the right, OF the
citizens of the District in any charter
that may be granted to any competing
telephone company.
The sentiment of the District Commit
tee. he said was IA favor Of granting
some relief from the existing condition as
to telephone rates.
Whenever proposition for a competing
line. said Mr.. Babeock, is backed by rep
resentatiye and responsible business men
and submitted to the committee for con-
sideration the committee will act.
Referring to the hearing Of last week,
the Chairman said the committee was
much impressed with the offer made by a
proposed competing company.
The chief objection to the bill discussed
before the committee last week was that
the company seeking the franchise had
secured It's charter in New Jersey.
The company. acting in accordance with
the suggestions made last week, yesterday
submitted to the committee an amended
bill IL is entitled a bill to incorporate
the Washington Telephone Company. 1t
names as incorporators Samuel Ross.
Thomas w. Smith Frank Noyes, Edgar p.
Berry. and Richard A. Johnson. of the Dis
trict of Columbia. and Henry A. Parr.
Thomas J. Hayward. James Bond. George
II. Webb. J. Bernard Scott, and Harry W.
Webb of Baltimore.
The hill authorizes the company 10 iu-
stall and operate telephone plant and ex-
change under such rules as the District
Commissioners may prescribe. The COM
pany is authorized to lay all necessary un-
derground eonduits and string wires on
poles in alleys, subject to the same regu-
lations as now apply or may be prescribed
for telephone companies. The rate to be
charged by the company shall not be more
than ss6 per annum for private residents
and SlS per annum for business purposes
Within fourteen months from the approval
of the Commissioners the company must
have 500 telephones in actual operation
| The company agrees TO put up guaran-
tee bond of sl0O, 600 to begin work within
fifteen days after the franchise is granted
A bill was also submitted to the connD :
tee to provide for the Incorporation Of ~
Columbia Telephone Company. The OH
embodies practically all the provisions Of
the Washington Telephone CompaaY's bi J.
The capital stock of the company Is
81 OOO 900, the shares to be Of 4 par value
of $50 each Regular seryi-e for bushes:
houses shall not exceed $50 psr snnun
The price for serving private residences /.
fixed at $50 per anuum. The incorporation.
Of the company are John D. Laushorae
Orren G.. Staples. John w. Thompson. =. II
Warner. Henry +. Woodard. Or. iohi
swope Arthur a. Birney. George "a. liam
. iIton. Thomas Anderson, John ,caElmatI
! John 4. Baker. Ta1lmadgc a. Ldmbert. r
| Cushing Daniel. J. +. Keelyn. ". G.. Wdg
gaman. w S. Knox, J. A Biuliin, ant
I Thomas Armat.
Both of these bills were introIuca1 d!
Mr.. MuGd.