The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-29
THE TELEPHONE BILL.
Resolution to Take 1t From the Sc
nte Committee TnbIcd.

Resolution to Take 1t From the Sem
nte Committee TnbIcd.
In the Senate yesterday Mr. Jones of
| Arkansas moved that the Committee on
| the District of Columbia be discharged
from further consideration of the House
bill to incorporate the Washington Tele-
phone Company, and asked that the bill
go back to the Senate calendar This
caused debate which showed that a large
| number of Senators desire to have the bill
passed at this session.
Mr.. Mcmillan objected to the bill being
taken from his committee. "The bill is
in the Committee on the District of CO.
lumbia," he said. 1T is in the hand: Of
a subcommittee of which Mr. Proctor is
the chairman. We have had great many
meetings, taking testimony and hearing
both sides of this question. The only rea-
son why the bill was not reported last
week by the committee was that the Sena-
tor made a statement that the company
that proposed TO tear up our street here
and put in new poles and all that sort
OF thing were not able to carry out their
proposition, and we thought it was wise
for US to allow the matter to remain until
we could hear from the Baltimore people
who were interested to find out whether
they were able to lay a proper telephone
line and give proper telephone service.
These people were here only a few days
ago. ! was in the committee room myself,
although not on the subcommittee, and l
heard them, and they satisfied me, as one
OF the members OF the committee, that this
company were able to introduce proper
service in the District. Out of courtesy
to the Senator from Maryland (Mr We'll
lington), who telegraphed me to put it
over until he could be here, The matter
vas laid over for another week. Under
these circumstances l do not think it would
be wise TO take the bill from the COM
mittee. The committee is acting on it and
intends to make report"
We are all aware OF the fact that the
old telephone company has disregarded the
act of Congress that was passed here to
regulate their rates Of TOLL" said Mr..
Jones. I'VE know that the new company
proposes to put in telephone line here |
and to charge very much lower rates than
the Ole one. We believe, as the old COM
pany has monopoly here, that any ether |
company that proposes to put in tele |
phone line at its own expense, and charge |
very much lower rates of toll than the cd |
company, ought to have right to do it,
Mr. Hale urged that the committee re- /!
port be made at once.
People do not get the explanation the
Senator from Michigan has given" said |
he, land which he has given in good faith |
and in seriousness. There is fe ling |
that the old company is obstructing t1is
matter and is, by virtue of the delay which |
1t is able to secure. going to preevnt any
action by the Senate at this session. / |
think some account ought to be taken of
that feeling. We are only to he here a
few days longer, / have no doubt we
shall adjourn on the 9Th, which is only ten
days ahead. / hope the Senator from
Michigan will see to it that we get
chance. at this bill in the Senate
Il am in favor OF a special meeting ard
a prompt report upon the measure" said
Mr.. Proctor land if the committee is not
able to agree promptly l shall certainly
favor the action by the Senate taking the
bill from the committee as proposed by
the Senator from Arkansas. The delay Sd
lar has been for good reasons. 1t could
not be avoided by those who are in favor
Of report in favor of the House bill"
For one l am free TO say that am op-
,osed to the BILL" said Mr.. Gall.nger Il
10 not believe it is good policy to tear
up the streets Of this city to parmit an
other telephone company to be installed
lere to do. beyond question, precisely
what the competing electric lighting com-
ANY did, and which / opposed; in oth-r
words, tear up the streets and then have
he new company consolidate with the cid
company and not reduce the rates Of
iectric lighting
The resolution was laid on the table
ubject tc Mr.. Joness call