Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-23
TELEPHONE RATES
OLD SUBSCRIBERS TO FIGHT FOR A
REFUND.

Telephone subscribers to the number of
about 1S0. whose interests. it is claimed,
were ignored in the recent compromise set
Element of the ease of j. F. Manning &
Co. against the Chesapeake & Potomac
Telephone Company" and the other suits
which were brought to test the constitution
ality and compel acceptance by the tele-
phone company of the rates prescribed in
the act of Congress approved June 80. 1885,
have associated for the purpose of endeav-
oring to obtain refund of the amounts
paid by them in excess of the statutory
rates.
DIR. F. V. Brooks is taking a prominent
part in the movement and speaking of the
matter to Star reporter today he said:
The telephone company has treated
badly in this matter and we propose to
demand and secure a fair and equitable set
tiement. In the contracts We have made
with the telephone company it is agreed
by them that II the rate fixed by the act
OF Congress approved June 60 1883, are
sustained by the court, then it will refund
to the subscribers the difference between
the schedule rates and the amount paid un-
der this contract.
This agreement DR.. Brooks said was
signed by j. NJ. Wilson. president of the
chesapeake and Potomac Power Company,
per &c W. v"
DR.. Brooks said he had learned on good
authority that Judge Wilson, while presi
dent of the company, stated a short time
before his death that it was his intention
to settle with all the old subscribers, and
DR.. Brooks believes that had Judge Wilson
lived these claims would all have been paid
He added that thus far the telephone COM
paEy has only settled with those who
brought suit against it.
In connection with this movement cir
cuiars have been sent to the subscribers
signed by committee consisting of Dr. F.
V. Brooks, w. D. Sullivan Frank Ray
mond. F. c. Gieseking. Thomas B. Walker
and |. Fl. Fill The circular states:
This refund the telephone company
agreed in writing to make in the event that
the constltutionality of said act of 1898
should be sustained by the courts ma
Jority of the subscribers were thereby in
duced not to bring suit and to make pay
ment upon that condition. and await final
decree of the court in the Manning case:
but the compromise settlement prevented
such final decree. and only those who
brought suit secured rebate. to which all
were entitled. preliminary decree was
signed however. in which it was declared
that the act of 1898 did not apply to metal
lie circuit telephones but did apply to
grounded circuits, which is the equipment
we understand you had at the time, or
have had at some time since the passage of
the act.
1T Is our purpose to employ counsel, and,
If possible, effect an amicable adjustment
of the matter: but. if this cannot be DONE
resort will be had to such legal proceedings
as may seem appropriate in order to secure
to subscribers who did not partake of the
rebates resulting from the compromise set
tlement the same just and fair considera-
ton of their rights. We shall be glad. if
you care to have US do so, to submit your
claim with those of the other subscribers
in our association"
A number of replies have been received
it was stated One of them from an old
telephone subscriber said:
Il compromised and settled my bill nth
them (the telephone company at reduced
rates"
The committee of telephone subscribers
has opened headquarters and Mr.. Mason NJ
Richardson has been appointed attorney to
represent their interests.