Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-13
DISTRICT BILL PASSED
Action by the Senate This
Afternoon.
TELEPHONE R ATES
AMENDMENT REPEATING BILL
FIXING THEM DISCUSSED.
Thrown Out on a Point of Order After
Quite a Lively De-
bate.
TELEPHONE RATES

Inc bIStTlcl appropriation plIl was tdheA
up in the Senate this afternoon and the pro-
posed amendment repeating the telephone
rates in the District of Columbia was called
up. Senator Gallinger made an explanation
in regard to this matter. to the effect that
the company had reduced Its rates from an
average Of s9S to $53. and showing that the
company is now expendtng a million dollars
to improve the service.
The management of the company" said
Senator Gallinger, has changed since the
law was enacted In 1898 reducing the rates.
1t has gone into the hands of progressive
men, who desire to give the best possible
service
He explained that the committee had ex-
amined into the matter and decided upon a
favorable report. He read portions of the
report of the attorneys of the Telephone
Subscribers Association to the effect that
the old rates were never regarded salts
factory by that association, and withdraw
ing its opposition to the proposition for the
repeal Of the statute. He said that four
citizens associations had also appealed for
the repeal of the law.
My judgment is clear" said Senator Gal
hnger, that this matter should not hang
over this corporation longer
He said the number of telephones had in
creased since 1898 from $500 to 5000. He
said that the gentlemen representing the
telephone company would welcome an In
Quiry at the next session of Congress into
all matters connected with the corpora
tion.
If there is any complaint" said Mr. GAL
linger, when the next Congress meets. If
l am alive 1 shall myself offer resolution
of inquiry concerning the methods of this
corporation if there is any demand for it."
Mr.. Tillman Objects.
Senator Tilman wanted to know why it
was necessary to repeal this law at this
time. He thought the Senate had better
wait until next year, when more extended
consideration could be given the matter.
He said he was member of the appropria-
tions committee. and 1t had not been
brought before him.
Senator Gallinger explained that the COM
pany is now giving the statutory rates to
subscribers who are engaged in litigation
with the agreement that If 1t goes against
them they shall pay the full rates, and this
is hanging over the heads of these tele-
OF that by the passage of the amendment.
He said the controller of the treasury was
also acting in a way to make 1t uncomfort-
able for the company under the law.
Il believe controllers have greater power
than all the rest Of the officials Of the gov
ernment together" he said, land they are
holding this company up, insisting not only
on the statutory rates in view Of the liti-
CATION, but also requiring things Of the
company, such as the putting in of switch
boards and the extending of the line, some
times as much as half a mile, to reach the
home OF some secretary or clerk. For this
extraordinary service the government only
pays the usual rate. If that rate were un-
usual for such service 1t would bankrupt
the company in a year"
Senator Berry opposed the amendment
He reviewed the fight that has been made
against the telephone company and saw
ha ,J.1
without providing another law in its place
II the rates established were not satisfac-
tory some other rate should be fixed to
curb the company in its charges. If this
law is repealed, he said, there would be
nothing to prevent the company from going
back to its old charges.
Senator Blackburn made a vigorous argl1-
ment In relation to the amendment He IA
vored its passage, and claimed that the
whole fight that was made against 1t was
conducted by a rival telephone company
that wanted to get into the District
MIR. Bacon's Understanding.
Senator Bacon said that he did not SO un-
derstand the matter, and he was a member
OF the District committee when the provi-
sion to fix the rate for the telephone COM
pany was considered. He said that it was
the citizens of Washington, the users Of the
telephone, who desired the statutory rates
Mr.. Blackburn insisted that it was such
common hnoWleuSe at the time the law was
passed to the effect that the rival telephone
company wanted 1t alone, or chiefly wanted
II, that every messenger and page about the
Capitol knew the fact.
You are entirely wrong about that" said
Senator Bacon.
Senator Blackburn said that II was prac-
tically extortion and biackmail exercised by
the government against the telephone COM
pany to insist upon the service il has been
getting, especially in having special lines
run at the ordinary rates, and he wanted to
see 1t stopped.
Senator Berry again strongly opposed the
amendment. He also said that he supposed
the law passed by Congress had had some
thing to do with the reduction in rates that
had been made by the telephone company.
Senator Gallinger said that he agreed
with Senator Berry that if there were
grievances Congress had the right to regu-
late the price of telephones, and stated that
the agitation for lower rates was begun by
citizens and subscribers to the telephones,
and that the rival company had come in
later.
Senator Heitfeld thought that the amend
ment should not be passed. He said that
although member Of the District commit
tee he had not been present at the meeting
this morning, and while that report was
made unanimously, he was opposed to the
amendment and would have voted against
it had he been there.
Subject to Point of Order
Senator Allison said that the more he
looked INTO the pending amendment the
more he agreed with the District committee
IN Its view of the matter. He stated
however. that it was subject to a point of
order and that If any one made objection
to Il 1t would go out of the bill.
Senator Jones (Ark.) indicated that when
the proper time came he would object to II
Senator Mallory reviewed the course of
litigation In the telephone cases and ex-
planned the situation of these cases now in
court He also pointed to the fact that
those who had asked for the legislation had
been before the committee to ask for its
repeal. and that had satisfied him as a
member of the subcommittee to consider
the matter.
Senator Dubois said he could not see how
the withdrawal of the opposition on the
part OF the Telephone Subscribers Associa-
ton could be conclusive in deciding upon
such matter as the repeal of the law reg
ulating telephone rates.
Senator Gallinger, IN reply to a question
by Mr.. Dubois. said that he would obligat t.
himself to do whatever was in his power
TO have thorough Investigation Of tele-
phone matters next winter il there was any
demand for it.
senator Dillingham;, chairman Of the sub
n - io6 tha al