The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-12-04
That Introduced By Cocktail Should Be Regarded With Suspicion
TELEPHONE COMPANIES OPPOSE
Public Utilities Bill Hearing DeVslopes
Fireworks

Public Utilities Bill Hearing peVelopes
Fireworks
Montpelier Dec 4.-While a large
audience listened with interest, the
hearing before the committee on cor
porations in regard to the various
public utilities bills, developed into
strenuous and exciting affair with
plenty of personalities. the name of
the governor being involved in the
arguments Of several speakers.
Chairman H. G.. Barber of Brattle-
boro presided, Representative Davis
of Springfield spoke on House bill No
2Sl which was introduced by him, and
representative De Boer of Montpel-
Ter said in regard to H. 2S9 that 1t was
practically included in H. 1876 the Bar
Der bill and that If the bill were pass
ed he would not press the passage of
H. 1926.
j. II. Senter of Montpelier said that
in his belief the state should control
its own creatures, and he was grieved
he said to read an article in the New
port Express and Standard which con
| stiuted a personal attack on Gov
routy He cOmplimented the railroad
commission and thought that pub
lie service commission along the same
lines would prove a benefit to the
state. Although not telephone man,
he thought the Bell companies had
given exceptional service and referr-
| ing to the situation in Montpelier in
regard to the electric lighting and
power companies. he thought one com
pany. under the supervision of a com
mission would be better than four.
He was not in favor Of fixing rates
/ of telephone companies and would not
tie the hands OF the commission by
such an amendment He favored Civ
ing the right of appeal from the decis-
ion Of this commission to the supreme
court
W. r Aldrich Of Barton Landing,
representing the individual telephone
interests on the east side from the
Canada line TO Bellows Falls which, he
said. own 10000 telephones conceived
these interests would be greatly in
lured by the bill. 1t would in his
opinion. cause the Bell Telephone peo
pie 10 place obstacles in the way OF the
organization of individual companies
and practically eliminate competition
He said IL would be impossible fol-
the commission TO Judge what the star
dard OF equipment should Wean anC
the latter for a farmers local line. die
not need to be as expensive as that
fused for long distance exchanges. III
apprehended that the complexities o.
The telephone. express, electric light
ing and power companies would MAKE
| Il impossible for the proposed commits
sion 10 supervise railroads and al
these additional utilities besides. Il
would spoil "a good railroad commits
sion. he said TO make h a Jack OF al
trades" He maintained that the bill
was queerly drawn and In case OF
situation like that at ST lohnsbury
where 400 telephones were taken ou'
on account of raise In rates, means
six weeks practically before n com
pany could be organized, making u
impossible for them 10 install those 400
telephones.
c. W. Secly OF Boston. superinten
dent OF the Citizens Telephone com
pany and also secretary OF the Yer
mont and New Hampshire Telephone
association. charged openly that the
bin was framed In such a manner az
to give the Bell company monopol!
of the state. which IL has not been able
10 obtain through fair competition. lie
said the proposition 10 regulate ap
params was ridiculous; also that II
regard 90 the quantity and quality o
service All these questions could b.
decided he said by the towns. lie
heartily opposed the bill in every part
Judge r. c. Williams Of Newport
referred TO the articles In the Newpor
Express and Standard, copies OF Whicl
had been distributed to every membe
+ of the House. as dirty attack on
high minded and honorable gentle
man" He said Il was fact that th'
governor held one share OF stock u
he Passumpsic Telephone company
which was practically a branch OF tn
lBen company. and was a director Their
. in. but before taking such office he ha'
notified the stockholders that he woul'
favor and advocate the regulation O
Ithe telephone and telegraph comnan
. les OF the state.
Judge Williams also defended him
HNII NNWIIN NIlN ANNNAhNhlNtA NANftN ~ 80
"a personal interest In this bill and cal
ed attention 10 the fact that the edito
of the newspaper referred to was u
close touch with and personally relai
cd to- the managers of the Citizen
, / Telephone company The republica
marty had promised this bill whic
p was reason enough. he believed, 10
{ him to advocate It. He intimated tina
, Mr.. Aldrich had written or inspire
the article and said that the entir
D capital of the opposition was suspicio
j. or insnuation The trouble was tina
b the independent telephone companie
T. aid not want to be- regulated.
e Chairman Barber questioned tn
j. speakers and the discussion becam
y general. particularly In regard to J
b i2G.