The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04
THE TELEPHONE HEARING.
Representatives of New Companies
Before the House Committee.

Representatives of New Companies
Before the House Committee.
/ The House Committee on the District OF
Columbia gave hearing yesterday to a
delegation representing the Washington
Telephone Company. which has bill pend
/ ing before Congress authorizing it to oper-
ate a telephone system in the District.
: The delegation was a committee from the
F Business Mems Association. consisting OF
H f. woodard. Mitchell Dyrenfcrth,
/ Samuel c. Palmer. Y. Baldwin johnson,
Jesse Ergood. Barry Bulkley, William
Hahn, Henry Getz. and William W. Danen-
hover.
The text Of the bill has been printed, as
well as the amendments proposed by the
subcommittee, except that the rate of tax
alton has been fixed at 1-2 per centum OF
the annual gross receipts Of the company.
in lieu Of all tax on personal property, also
a provision requiring the company to make
an annual report Of its earnings, expenses,
and financial condition in every detail.
Mr. Woodard. Chairman Of the Business
Mems committee, said his association had
endorsed the Washington Telephone Com
panys bill, and in considering the bill he
took il for granted that the wishes OF 500
representative business men would have
some weight with the committee
Mr.. Y. Baldwin johnson also spoke for
the association in favor Of the bill.
Mr.. George r. Webb. OF Baltimore, one
OF the incorporatOrs. told the committee
that the limitation Of the stock issue 10
$500 Geo would make the bill valueless. and
that it viii cost over 81 oe0 600 to install
the plant
Mr. Bsbcccl said the House would add
an amendment 70 the bill requiring the
capital stock 10 be paid up In cash.
Mr.. WEBB said 3 was absolutely neces-
sary to uss some stock Tor the benefit of
the men who Il as5 ile bonds, but not
all the stock W. be- 30 used. Some of
it will be relas f0- extension of the
lines ra
Mr. John j. H o. who was present
in behalf OF Id ghone Subscribers
Association said lant Of the Chesa-
peake and Potds Telephone Company
cost about $3.50 lEemphill said the
court here had that it costs 81
year TO operate - scurola. The new com
pany proposed 60 operate I- for S4S and s3G
year. Nov IN orier 90 20 so, he thought
they should be given a little leeway in the
matter OF stock. He was opposed to wa
tered stock. but he believed it was to the
interest Of the public and the company 10
give the company a fair capitalization.
MIR. T. c. Daniel appeared before the
committee IN behalf of the Columbia Tele-
phone Company, which has also had a bill
introduced IN the House. He said he
thought the franchise would be worth
$3.50 000. and the bill to be reported should
limit the amount OF bonds and stock to the
actual cost OF the road. no stock TO be is
sued until the bonds were paid off.
Mr.. Babcock called attention to the fact
that there was a limitation in the Wash
ington Telephone CompaBys bill upon the
issue Of bonds and stock
Mr.. Daniel said that a new telephone
system could be constructed for $500 900,
and he wanted a Limitation put upon the
issue OF stock aud bonds. In case the city
should al some future time desire to pur-
chase the plant, he thought a provision to
authorize such action should be incor-
porated in the bill.
The committee decided to postpone action
until next Wednesday.