Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-14
The Appeal to Congress.

NV <NppNa1 W. &oh&fees.
Congress was then appealed to and legis-
lated to provide what were regarded as
fair rates, $50 a year being the top rate"
The company. Mr.. Birney said. deied Con-
gress. and the matter was thrown into the
courts. He then reviewed the course OF
litigation in this case to the recent decision
of Judge Barnard. The investigation pur-
sued by the association had developed the
fact that in no place in this or any foreign
country are telephone rates so high in
this city, except In places where the Ameri
can Bell Telephone Company their Ii
censee operate the service.
Mr.. Birney said Judge Barnard did not
justify existing rates, and even counsel on
the other side did not attempt to justify
them, and he believed no man could justify
them. He regarded them merely as rob-
berry. The cost of the entire plant esti-
mated at 100000. besides reserve and other
funds. had been borne by the people of the
District the stockholders had put in
nothing since they had formed the small
original plant.
I'VE have had one first knockdown, and
we have to determine whether to back
down continue the fight and insist on
our rights as American citizens" said Mr..
Birney
He said there are two ways to meet this
question. One is to take the case to an
other court, and see whether 1t would up
hold Judge Barnard. Another way would
mean more than the mere establishment of
rates. This would be through competition
through the chartering by Congress of some
other telephone company that could COM
pete with the old company. This course
had always resulted in two things-in the
company getting more business than the
old company, and while the old company
had protested IT could not do business at
lower rate than ii had been enforcing, It
came down below the rates of the new
company and seemed to get along all right
under such a condition.
Such a course would result in getting rid
or the DurdenSOme contracts which the
present company insists upon, and substi-
tuting a short and simple contract in its
place.
The new company. Mr.. Birney said,
would receive the support of the telephone
subscribers. This new company he added,
is confident that it can give the people Of
this city satisfactory service, as it is now
operating in other cities.
Some Objections Referred To.
Mr.. Birney said some people object to
having two telephone companies in a city,
for the reason that two companies make it
| necessary for business man to have two
telephones in his office, so that If the serv-
Ice IS but half as cheap the cost in the long
run would be the same as now. But this
objection could be overcome by Congress,
| as 1t is in some other cities. notably in
stockholm, where there are two companies
which are required to exchange. so that a
telephone user need have but one telephone
in his office, and his only Inconvenience
would De IN having two telephone directory
books hanging at its side.
Mr.. Birney was roundly applauded when
he concluded his remarks.
Mr.. Staples said the association was sat
isfied that their attorneys had done all any
| one could do. and the only question before
| the association was to determine what was
to he done
Mr. Conrad Syme said he believed there
| is enough money and public spirit in this
city to install a satisfactory telephone sys-
TEN. If a foreign COMPANY is willing to
| come here il will come to make money and
| If 1T could make money he was satisfied a
| company formed Of people of this city could
run company and make 1t pay. He then
| offered an amendment to Mr.. Smiths mo-
ton. in effect that a committee Of five be
| appointed to report to the association the
best method of getting a new telephone
| system installed in this city and whether
| a local company could be formed.
Mr.. Daniels Endorsed the suggestion of
| Mr.. Syme for local company, and said
| the Columbia Telephone Company bill.
| which had been before Congress for four
| city as nucleus for its local company He
| thought the people here should go to Con-
| gress and demand the passage of this bill
| Mr. John Miller said he was against having
| a company formed by the people of the Dis
| trict He wanted a telephone for $50 a
1 year. and he didn't want to have any tele-
| phone stock. If others were like him they
| would have their telephones taken out OF
their places of business. His sentiment
| called forth great applause.
| Mr. Staples said the trouble was that the
| Commissioners would not allow any new
| company to come Into this city and tear up
/ the streets for conduits.
Mr.. Thomas w. Smith upheld his or,etna,
| motion, which favored allowing a new COM
| pany to come to the city.
Mr.. George A. King said the association
had already considered the relative merits
| Of the two companies through its execu-
| tive committee, and had decided in favor