The Winchester news. [volume] (Winchester, Ky.) 1908-19??, 1908-12-11

- 49,
pany has in the neighborhood of a
1000 subscribers and therefore the
charge next year will be $3.50 for
residences and $3.50 fol business
houses. One of the peculiar things
about the telephone business is that
as the subscribers grow the expen-
ses increase more rapidly and q
higher rate must be charged.
The franchise asked by the East
Tennessee Company and which was
passed by the Council last Friday
fAes the maximum rate at $1.65 for
residences Ahd $2.75 for business
houses. And when 1000 telephones
have been installed the rates may be
raised to $500 for residences and
$500 for business places. The at
torney for the company at the Coun-
Gil meeting stated that these rates
were necessary to make the business
profitable.
We do not understand why there
should be this difference in the pro-
visions of the two franchises. The
manager of the Old Kentucky Com
pany states to us that his company
is perfectly satisfied with the maxi
mum rates fixed by his franchise and
that the owners of that company can
make a fair profit under those rates.
That they feel that the community
should not be asked for higher rates
and that they are perfectly satisfied
If this be so. the rate provisions of
the ordinance that is to be consider
ed again tonight, are too high. The
Old Kentucky is owned and control
led by local men. 1t is a home en-
terprise. The East Tennessee is a
foreign corporation and is a part
of the great Bell system.
We should be absolutely fair to
Goth companies. The ordinance Fri
day night was passed without con-
side,ation or discussion in the Coun-
Gil and on the statement of the attor-
/ ey for the East Tennessee Company.
The Council is acting for the elf
liens Of Winchester. 1t represents
them and them alone. In a matter
so important which fixes on the COM
munity a charge that must be borne
for twenty years, it behoves the
Council to go slow. The fullest con-
;ideration should be given and the
fullest investigation made.
What are the rates In other cities
of the same size as Winchester
What do experts say as to the cost
of telephone service. Why should
the Old Kentucky Company with l.
900 subscribers be satisfied with a
lower rate than the East Tennessee
with $50. And particularly why is
this. so, when the officials of both
companies say that it costs far more
to handle each subscriber when there
are larger number than when there
are comparatively few. Why should
the Old Kentucky be forbidden tc
raise its rates until it has 1900
names while the East Tennessee un-
der the provisions of the new or
fdinance can do so when 1000 is
reached.
These are questions that should
be investigated and answered by the
Council. The News holds brief fol
neither company. 1t is trying to rep
resent to the best of its ability, the
interests of the citizens of Win
chester. The Council is proposing
to sell valuable privilege. 1t is fix
ing for 20 years the prices that must
be paid by our citizens. 1t should
set these rates at a figure that will
allow the company to secure a fair
interest on its investment and no
more. The telephone company is a
public service corporation. 1t does
business in this community by virtue
of a privilege given by the municipal
ity. If $1.65 for residences and 1915
for stores is a fair maximum rate,
let the Council so fix it. If it is too
high, let the proper figures be in
serted before this privilege is auc-
ftioned off.
Remember Mr.. Councilman, you
represent the city of Winchester and
neither telephone company. You are
to find out what is best for the city
and its citizens and act accordingly.