Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-02-25

Company are all legal. l question The
correctness of that statement.
you tell us that the relations be-
tween the New York company and the
Newark company are regal. l ques-
ton that. I question all the statements
that are made without proof. The peo-
pie of this state are not required to
make more than a prima facie case.
We have made that case, and the next
step is action by these committees"
"If illegal acts have been committed"
asked Senator Wakelee, "why can't the
Legislature without further investiga-
ton pass a law to correct them? 1t
may be that we have enough facts; that
We need nothing more"
Mr.. Sommer said that he believed
there was not enough to warrant the
Legislature acting without investigat-
ing the statements mad by Bethel.
what 1 am getting at" said Senator
Wakelee, lis that all this leads to o
question of law"
Yes rejoined the former sheriff.
ian something more. If it has been
shown to the committees satisfaction
that there has been unreasonable exac-
ton of rates, you can pass specific
itS vi ttCLih6 LtiS w GO AotS vi
States have done. or you can pass a
law creating a commission with au
thority to regulate rates, or as a third
proposition you can authorize munich
palities to regulate the rates. I would
not give such power to municipalities
because the telephone companies pass
through man and could not be called
upon to make a separate arrangement
with each.
IF the committees are convinced, if
you feel that you have enough to JUS
tify action, all right"
IF there is an evil, what law can
we pass to correct it," was asked.
"If / were a legislator" said Mr..
Sommer, II would pass no law fixing
a maximum rate for these companies,
unless it was based upon the most
careful Investigation"
as there any doubt in your mind,
sheriff. that discriminatory rates are
illegal in this State?' asked Senator
Wakelee.
None whatever was the reply.
THE question is absolutely settled in
the case of Messenger against the
Pennsylvania railroad"
There was no doubt in my mind.
l wondered what you thought about
it," said the Bergen man. Wouldn't
1t be better to have the attorney-gen-
eral bring an action in the name OF
the people of the whole State against
the telephone company than to have
a further investigation insrituted?"
You, as legislators, could submit
the question to the attorney general
as to the advisability of or authority
for such a course" said Mr.. Sommer.
See whether he can do it,"
IF he can't" said Nh. Wakelee, I'VE
can pass a law to let him."
Mr. SomIner then showed tina the
rate OF $4S per year charged for SOC
messages in Newark made the cost pei
local message eight cents. He added:
THAT is over a telephone which YOU
operate yourself. AT a pay station
where an operator looks out for You
yo@ can send a message for five cents
How Average Is Struck.
Mr.. Bethel loudly proclaimed las,
week that the average cost of telephone
service in Newark was less than s44 8
year. Mr.. SdNmer's questions brought
out that to gen such an average, all ex.
tension telephtts&, all telephones con.
nected with a priv(te branch exchang,
were included. That means. for in.
stance, that the extension in the room,
Of the Continental Hotel, which cost 5,
each a year, are figured in to get tn,
rate down to the figure proposed. A,
Judge Heisley put it, it is mere so.
phistry.H
Mr.. solmmer continued:
= III venture there is nothing OF recer,