Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-10
FAVOR A NEW COMPANY
Local Telephone Subscribers Make an Appeal
to Congress.
Competition in the District RecOm-
mended by Interested Citizens
Action Taken Last Night.

Since the decision of Judge Barnard in
the case of the telephone compan', holding
that the act of Congress which established
rates for the service in this city was I'M
constitutional, the citizens who want relief
have about come 10 the conclusion that the
only method by which this can be gained
is the establishment in this District CT a
new service. Competition is looked upon
the remedy. and for this reason various
citizens associations have taken action IA
yoring the chartering by Congress of an
other company. The sentiment in his d.
rection was also voiced at meeting last
evening of the executive committee of the
Telephone Subscribers Association, the
committee reaching the conclusion that in
a new company lay the hopes of securing a
telephone service at reasonable rates.
The meeting Of the executive committee
OF the association named was held last
evening in the Riggs House. o. g. Staples
presided. and Henry F. Woodland was the
secretary. Those present were Messrs. J.
]. Hemphill. H. L. f. Johnson, Thomas
W. Smith. r. G. Rutherford, Ross, Myers
and Danenhower
The report of the special committee, con-
sisting of Thos. ". Smith, DR.. II. L. T..
Johnson and r. q. Rutherford, appointed
to inquire as to the ability OF the WASH
ington Telephone and Telegraph Company
to do what 1t proposes in furnishing a tele-
phone service in this District, made a ia
Vorable report. Massrs. II. /. Parr, James
Bend and Geo W. Webb of Baltimore were
present and explained to the committee the
proposition of the company, if given a
chance. and also its financial ability to es-
tabl:"h 2 telephone plant in this city. They
agreed to give bond in the sum of 800, 900
for the faithful execution of its contracts.
The company was recently chartered in
New Jersey, with a capital of 81 500 600,
and its leading stockholders are said to be
Baltimore men.
The new concern proposes to provide a
service fully equipped with metallic cir
cults and latest Improved Instruments at
rates of $50 yearly for residences and S4S
yearly for business houses: 1t further pro-
poses to have its plant fully installed with
in eighteen months after Congress provides
for its incorporation.
1t was stated by one of the speakers that
the new company has made contracts with
more than 1000 persons in this city for
the use of their phones, as soon as they
are ready TO be installed, at the rates
named This number, 1t was stated, Is
equal to the total number of present sub
scribers to the Chesapeake and Potomac
Company.
Amendments were suggested to the bill
now pending before Congress, authorizing
this company to do business here, and these
were accepted by the representatives of the
company. The amendments will prohibit
the company from ever consolidating with
or selling out to any local telephone COM
pany, and from raising its rates. The COM
8ilttee pledged its support to the company
in an effort to secure the passage of the
bill with these amendments added
Mr.. Staples donated the use of the large
dancing hall at the National Hotel as
place for the holding of the mass meeting
OF telephone subscribers to be held next
Tuesday evening The committee author
lied the statement last night that it will
continue its fight against the Chesapeake
and Potomac Company by fling All appeal
to the Court of Appeals from the decision
of Justice Barnard.