The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-28
MR.. SEARS OPINIONS
Providence. r. l.. May %. 1901.

William A. Harris Steam Engine Com
cs@t.nfn cpany p,ovlasnce 9er knd n favor Of May a.
addressed TO me as member or the joint
special committee OF the city council on
the petition OF the Home Telephone COM
pany, is received, and. without disclosing
to you my position one way or the other,
beg to submit a few facts for your con-
sideration that were brought out at the
hearings last January and FEBRUARY.
been doing business In this city for 20
years with an absolute monopoly OF the
telephone field. and the rates have been
raised from time to time until there Is
charged here now a larger price for tele-
phone service than Is obtained In any
city I'm the Union outside OF New YORK,
Chicago and Boston. and more than M Mtwice
similar in size and condition TO Provi-
dence.
FEARS COMPETITION.
Under the fear of competition the Prov
idence Telephone company Indicate, as
appears in the newspapers. that In con-
sideration of an exclusive franchise which
will eliminate the Home Telephone COM
pany or any other competing company
from the field for six years after Decem-
Der 1, 1907. they will make certain recdc-
tions in telephone rates. There Is no
change offered or contemplated in the
$40 rate for full service, nor Is there
any reduction in the SIS house rate other
than by the addition OF a few calls; all
the reductions offered average about 10
per cent.
Does your corporation wish to go on
record as favoring an exclusive franchise
for the Providence Telephone company
under these circumstances? Does your
treasurer, Mr.. Crowell. who signed the
letter sent me. believe, in view OF his own
experience In trying TO get franchise 10
operate a small electric light plant in
Central Falls for your company and was
turned down in favor OF an extension or
an exclusive franchise TO the Pawtucket
Electric company, II advisable to change
the views heretofore uttered by him at
the state house and before the city coun-
Gil Of Central Falls and apply the exclu-
siye franchise principle to the city or
Providence in favor of the Providence
Telephone company TO the entire detri-
ment and destruction OF a reputable local
corporation, officered and financed by
Rhode Island men and capital?
EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE UNNECEs-
SARY.
II the Providence Telephone company
can reduce their rates with an exclusive
franchise. they can reduce them equally
well without one, and according 10
statement of their own attorney they had
in view at the time competition first ap-
peared n Schedule or reduced rates, put
did not put them into effect because IL
might be said fear of competition was re-
sponsible The Providence Telephone COM
pany is on record. therefore. as having
extracted from their subscribers money
which they were not entitled TO.
An exclusive franchise TO the Provi-
deAce Telephone company at this time.
In return for any OF the concessions offer
ed by them, Is unwarranted and unjust.
and / believe. after reading your letter.
that the William A. Harris Steam En-
gine companys officials think so.
note what you say about the Gen.
tredale Exchange and the annoyance to
the people OF North Providence by rea-
son OF calls having to pass through that
exchange. The Home Telephone company
told the committee that one exchange.
which would include the entire city OF
Providence, North Providence. East Prov
idence parts OF Cranston and Johnston
and probably all OF Pawtucket, would be
installed which would have a possibility
OF over 10000 subscribers. more than dou-
BILE the number that the Providence dis
trict now accommodate through Union,
Angell West. Broad. Centredsle and East
Providence Exchanges. To have num-
Der OF exchanges is old-style construction:
the up-to-date method is one exchange.
Continued on Page Six)