The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-12
WILL INVESTIGATE TELEGRAPH RATES Demands Filed With Com merce Commission ADVANTAGES LOST "Exorbitant Rates for Improved Ser vice Have Been Maintained
 By Gentlemen's Agree
 ments"
ADVANTAGES
LOST

Washington, November LA thorough investigation of existing telephone and telegraph rates Is believed to be fore casted by demands which have been filed at the interstate commerce commission in the form of petitions directing the at. stention of the commission ito the ap. parent purpose of the American Tele- phone and Telegraph company to monop- oizc all facilities for wire communica- tion.'
 The movement to compel action on the part of the commission which was given jurisdiction over telegraph and telephone lines under the last act amendatory of the interstate commerce law, is a con- certed one. The petitions, Identical in form, attempts to set forth the desires of individuals in several western states.
 While no action has been taken thus far, the commission, it is ssaverred, fully realizes that it is only a matter of a short time before the question of rates must be reviewed. When the commis- sion issued it's order assuming juris- diction over companies engaged in in- terstate business as common carriers of
 
 noted that the order did not undertake to fix or adjust the rates to be exacted.
 Referring to the rate and certain other sections of the law, the order recited that the commission at that time withheld ex- pression of it's views with regard to the amenability of these carriers.
 T', the petitions it is urged that quick, reliable and economical inter-communi- ca.4on is SD essential to the commer- c'nl nd so"ial interests of the citizens of the various states. that telegraphic servlce and the cnarges therefor. more vitally concern the welfare and pros perity of all classes than do the service and rates of the express companies.'
 The petitioners, continuing, say:
 "We believe your investigation of tele- graph conditions would disclose & fact that the people are now and for long time have been, deliberately deprived of the advantages, benefits and economies of low uniform rates by systematzed violations of the law designed for their protection and betterment
 '.,rhat exorbitant rates for unimproved service have been maintained either by actual combination or by collision of gentlemens agreements. and that stren- uous efforts have been employed to pre- vent the introduction of independent com petition through legislative measures.
 "Your attention Is invited to the appar- ent purpose of the American Telephone and Telegraph company to monopolize all facilities for wire communication to the destruction of competition and the possibility of low charges for the use of wire service.
 "rhe rapidity with which formerly in- dependent telephone companies are be- ing absorbed and the efforts to induce those still left to enter Into agreements for the maintenance of extortionate rates seem to us to admit of no other inter- pretation than that of combination for the restraint of trade directed against independent and competing companies.
 If telegra phic service at the rate of cent or less per word for any distance is possibility of the modern telegraphic profession. the public is entitled to that sort of service.''
 The petitioners declare their belief that carefully deliberated efforts are being made by the telegraph trust to prevent the progress of independent enterprises and they urge the commission to investi- gate the opera ton, business and policies K of all the telegraph companies of the ( United States.