East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-04-21

The recent action of the Pacific
Telephone company in increasing the
rate for the four party line phone
from S1.25 to $1.50 per month will
probably result in the installation OF
a new telephone company in Pendle-
ton. This became evident at last
nights meeting of the council when
the dissatisfaction of the citizens
which has been smouldering for some
time, was voiced by members of the
city council. 1t was declared that
In view Of the already enormous earn
ings of the company and the very un-
satisfactory service rendered that the
recent increase and installation of
new regulations are decidedly outra-
geous, No definite action was taken
last evening but it was the unanimous
opinion of those present that some-
thing should be done to protect the
people of the city from what was
termed the "hold-up" methods of the
telephone company.
May Invite Home Company.
One of the plans Of relief suggest
ed was the granting of a franchise to
the Home Telephone company of
Portland. This company has had an
application for a franchise before the
council for some time and II was sug-
gested last night that the application
be taken up and granted.
According to figures furnished the
council last night, the physical in
vestment of the company in this city
Is but $4,000. while the gross earn
ings of the local office are $15, 900 an
nually and the net earnings are be-
tween $1,000 and $4,000. These are the
earnings under the old rates. Under
the new rate the earnings will be
5000 per month more. To further add
to the Indignation of the council It
was pointed out that for two years
the telephone company had refused
to pay any taxes to either the city or
county.
New Rules Criticised.
Another action of the telephone
company is the Inauguration of a new
set of rules for subscribers. Under
these rules an applicant for n tele-
phone must make a deposit OF IS
which the company keeps for one
year claiming TO pay 6 per cent in
terest thereon II was suggested by
one councilman last evening that II
the telephone company was in such
Strengthened circumstances It must
compel loans in this manner that II
might be Just as we'll to give the COM
pany's officials the right to arm
themselves with guns and go out to
compel the people to make loans to
them.
In addition to the deposit of S.
the subscribers must pay $3.50 for
the installation OF the telephone and
then pay one month in advance. maxi
ing n total of 50 which the subscrib-
er must pay TO the company before
he can get a telephone installed In
his home
The indignation expressed last eve
ming seemed to be genuine and the
mayor and the members of the coun-
Gil all seemed to be of one mind
They could not agree upon the best
action to be taken at present, but the
matter was left in the hands of the
city attorney for investigation and ne
will make a report at the next meet
ing Not the least of the criticism
heard last night was that concerning
the quality of the service rendered II
was declared to be the worst the city
has ever experienced and far below
the standard of that maintained ir
most other cities of the northwest
Street SprinlSIing Bids.
The only other business OF import.
ance transacted last evening was the