The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-15
PHONE LEAGUE
ORGANIZES FOR
BETTER RATES

Steps were taken last evening TO estnb-
lish telephone reform league In this
city. which shall make a thorough In
Quiry into the cost OF construction. ad-
ministration and operation OF telephone
plants; get equitable rates through leg
islation; prevent the city council of Prov
idsnce from granting a monopoly to the
Providence Telephone company. and get
In future elections men who will protect
the interests OF the people of the city in
telephone legislation.
The meeting appointed a committee OF
three to take the necessary steps for the
formation Of permanent organization.
and to appoint date for the holding OF
meeting.
Thomas w. Bicknell called the gather
ing 10 order In his office in tho Lapham
building. Among those present were: Ed
win win =; Pierce Henry J. Dubois, Alder
or Al Doyle avenue, Thomas II. Milne, OF
ils East Manning street. Frank Il. Mo
henna, or % Chatham street, and Joseph
w. Mcdonald OF 152 Weybosset street.
Mr.. Bicknel said that he had the as
! surance Of others that they were I'm thor
ough sympathy with the movement, but
| were unable to be present.
Mr.. Bicknell briefly outlined the history
/ or the Bell telephone, and referred to the
present conditions in this city under the
| management Of the Providence Telephone
| company lie said:
With city OF 100000 population
wherein the only telephone company has
but 1900 subscribers there is something
radically wrong. What the matter is In
| this city is very apparent. IL In the high
| rates that are charged for the service.
believe that a much cheaper rate than
| that offered by the Providence Telephone
company can be shown to be profitable. I
| maintain that prices should not exceed $50
for business purposes and SIS or $40 for
| families.
| II have called this meeting for the pur-
( pose of getting an expression OF opinign
| upon this matter. and OF establishing n
| telephone reform league, and while the
| number present is small yet there are sew
eral who have signified their sympathy
| with this movement, and have informed
me that they will be present at subse-
| quent meetings should any be held.
| move that this meeting organize and
nominate Edwin c. Pierce as temporary
| chairman"
Mr. Pierce was elected. and Mr.. Bick-
| nell was made secretary. He introduced
the following platform as embodying the
objects for which the league should be
| formed, and IL was adopted:
I'VE. the subscribed citizens OF Provi-
| dence, and the state OF Rhode Island.
| hereby agree to unite with other fellow
| citizens of the city and state In the for
nation of an association TO be styled the
| Telephone Reform league. The objects OF
the league are to be:
IL "F1rSt-vTo make thorough inquiry as
| to the cost OF construction, administration
and operation Of telephone plants in cit
les OF over 5000 inha bitants.
"Second-To make thorough inquiry as
| TO the cost OF construction. administration
| and operation of telephone systems in
cities OF 100000 inhabitants. with at least
5000 telephones In actual use.
''Third-To make thorough inquiry as
| to the practical working OF dual telephone
| systems in cities OF 100000 inhabitants.
| "Fourth-To get as coon as practicable
| through municipal or state legislation
| equitable telephone rates based on money
invested and cost OF operation.
! "Fifth--To get publicity as TO telephone
i finances on the ground that public fran
/ chises should be the subjects of full ex-
! animation by the people who grant them:
"Sxth--To prevent the city council or
/ Providence from granting a monopoly 10
| the Providence Telephone company.
| "Seventh--To use all proper efforts In
| future municipal elections TO select and
| elect 10 the city council men who VIII
| protect and safeguard the interests or
/ the people OF Providence in telephone
| legislation in the city government.
committee consisting OF Mr. iBicknell.
/ Thomas Milne and Frank Mcl<enna. was
| appointed by the chair TO draft plan OF
/ organization, TO nominate list or onl-
/ GERS and 10 arrange for the holding OF a
! meeting to perfect such a league as 10
contemplated by tho platform.