New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-07
AFTER PHONE MONOPOLY
aldermen Order Investigation OF
Local "HelIo" Companies.

| The Board of Aldermen yesterday passed a
| resolution calling for investigation OF tho
I local telephone companies. their charges and
| Ways Of doing business The hearings are to be
| given by the Committee on Laws and Legisla-
| ton.
| At about the time that the city fathers
| passed the resolution Commissioner Ellison is
| sued a statement telling OF the application Of the
New-York Electric Lines Company for a fran
chise for a general telephone service in this
city.
The New-York Telephone Company has an
nounced a reduction in rates to take effect on
June /. making ordinary calls five cents. This
reduction has not disconnected various companies
which want to set up rival systems in this city
Alderman Freeman's resolution says, in part:
Whereas. The telephone system in the city OF
New-York is operated and controlled by one
corporation. without competition. and unoer CIR
cumstances that enable said corporation TO
charge exorbitant rates and impose arbitrary
conditions for furnishing such service, whereby
not only our citizens but also our city govern
ment is made to suffer nnanclaHy' uieleioie'
be 1T
Resolved. That our Committee on Laws and
Legislation be instructed TO hold pubic near
ing on these charges and to investigate ana re-
port the condition of the telephone service
in this city; the method of charging SUBSCRIBERS
for calls and the reasonahen or the rates
charged for such service and also TO report on
the powers of this board to control SAID natters
with a view TO the betterment thereof. and for
the purpose Of relieving this city and its cltl-
zens from the effects of a monopolized controi
OF such telephone service, and all other mat
ters relating thereto. and be it further
Resolved That said committee report to this
board thereon with all convenient speed
The New-York Electric Lines Company, which
has applied for permits to start business. is In
corporated under the laws of the State or New
York and has It's principal place of business In
the city of New-York 1t claims TO nave IRAN
chse granted by the Board or Aldermen Oh
April 10 1888 The terms of the alleged iran
chse are very comprehensive.
The Great Eastern Telephone Company mas
been organized as holding company ana no"
controls whatever rights formerly belonged 10
the New-York Electric Lines Company Inc
Great Eastern Telephone Company now claims
to be actually ready to proceed with the IN
staIIation of an independent telephone service,
and claims to have many thousands OF SUD
scribers who have entered into contrdcts Will
IT for that purpose. .
An attempt was recently made by an appn-
cation TO the Attorney General to annul the
charter of the New-YOrk Electric Lines COM
pany The application to the Attorney General
was denied Mr. Mayer holding that the appf-
cation should 20 to the city authorities instead
of to the state. .-
The Great Eastern Telephone Company.
through contracts. copies OF which nave peen
filed with Commissioner Ellison. agrees 10 1ur-
nish telephone service at remarkably low rates
For instance it offers private line business tele-
phones from 81 80 month; two party lne
business telephones from ST Sc; four party line
business telephones from 81 20; lowest business
message rate cents; unlimited residential tele-
phones from 81, and apartment house rates OF
8 cents per message.