The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-12
WIRE TRUST RATES
MUST Be REv|E WE'D
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Will Be Compelled
to Act Soon.
MONOPOLY is CHARGED
Petitions Complain of High
Handed Methods of American
Telephone and Telegraph Co.

Washing ton, November ia thor
ough investigation of existing telc-
graph and telephone rates is believed
to be foreshadowed by demands which
have been filed with tho Interstate
Commerce Commission in the form of
petitions. directing the attention of the
commission ito the apparent purpose
OF the American Telephone and Tele-
graph Company to monopolize all
facilities for wire communication. !"
Tho movement to compel action on
the part of the commission is a con-
certed one. The petitions profess TO
set forth the desires of individuals In
several Western States.
Must Act Soon.
While no action has been taken thus
far the commission. 1t Is said, fully
realizes that II Is only a matter of
short time before the question of
rates must be reviewed When the
commission Issued its order assuming
jurisdiction over companies engaged
In interstate business as common car
riers OF message by wire, 1t was noted
that the order did not undertake. TO
NIX or adjust the rates to be exacted.
referring to the rate and certain other
that the commission at that time with
held expression of it's views with ro-
spect to the amenability of these car
riers."
In the petitions II Is argued that
quick. reliable and economical inter-
communication is so essential to the
commercial and social interest OF the
citizens of the various States that teIe.
graph services and the charges there
lore more virtually concern the well
faro and prosperity OF all classes than
40 the service and rates of the ex-
press companies"
Continuing the petitioners saw.
We believe your Investigation NJ
telegraph condition would disclose the
fact that the people are now, and for
long time have been. deliberately de-
priVed or the advantages, benefits and
economics OF low uniform service
rates by systematized violations Of
the laws designed for their protec-
ton and betterment: that exorbitant
Or by unimproved service have been
maintained either by actual combina-
tion or by 'gentlemen's agreement and
that strenuous efforts have been en-
ployed to prevent the introduction of
cheap tolls. whether by competition
or legislative measures seems obvious
to your petitioners.
Intention to AIonopo1fze.
Your attention Is invited to the
apparent purpose of the American
Telephone and Telegraph Company to
monopolize all facilities for wire com
munication to the destruction OF com
petition and the possibility of low
charges for the use of wire service.
The rapidity with which formerly In
dependent telephone companies are be.
ing absorbed and the efforts to induce
those still left to enter into agree.
ments for the maintenance OF extor-
Tomato rates SENS to US to admit OF
no other Interpretation than that of
combfnatnons for restraint OF trade.
directed against independent and COM
peting companies.
If telegfaphic service at the rate
OF cent or less per word for any
distance is a possibility of the modern
Geographic art. the public Is entitled
to that sort OF service"
The petitioners declare their belief
that Carefully deliberated efforts are
being made by the teiesraph.c trust
to prevent the PROGRESS of independent
erterprises.V