The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-11-15


Washington, Nov. 11.--A thorough
investigation OF existing telegraph
- and telephone rates is believed to be
foreshadowed by demands which
have been filed with the Interstate
commerce commission. in the form
OF petitions directing the attention of
the commission to the apparent pur-
pose Of the American Telephone and
ITelsgraph Company to monopolize all
facilities for wire c.mmunication."
The movement to compel action on
the part OF the commission, which
was given Jurisdiction over tele-
graph and telephone lines under the
: last Act amendatory of the inter-
State commerce law. is a concerted
one; the petitions, identical in form.
processing to set forth the desires of
individuals in several Western
States.
While no action has been taken
thus far. the commission. it is said,
kfully realizes that it is only matter
OF q short time before the question
Of rates must be reviewed. When
the commission issued it's order as
suring Jurisdiction over companies
engaged In Interstate business as
common carriers Of message by wire.
hit was noted that the order did not
undertake to fix or adjust the rates
to be exacted. Referring to the rates
and certain other sections of the law
the order recited that the commits
sion at that time withheld expression
OF its views with respect to the
pAamendability of tine rates of these
carriers"
In the petitions 1t is urged that
"quick. reliable and economical inter-
81 ecnnxounicatio IS so essential to the
IL (,.otcisl and social interests OF
citizens Of the various States. that
telegraphic service and the charges
Dtherefor more vitality concern the
welfare and prosperity Of all classes
than do the service and rates Of the
express companies"
Continuing, the petitioners say:
1--WE believe your investigation of
n telegraph conditions would disclose
the fact that the people are now and
for long time have been deliberately
deprived of the advantages. benefits
and economies OF low, uniform SER
vice rates by systematized violations
of the laws designed for their pro-
!. lection and betterment. That eXor-
- bitant rates for unimproved service
have been maintained, either by act
ual combination or by 'gentlemen's
agreements and that strenuous ef-
forts have been employed to prevent
the introduction Of cheap tolls,
whether by competition of legislative
y measures seems obvious to your pc
titioners.
"Your attention is invited to the ap-
parent purpose of the American
Telegraph and Telephone Company
to monopolize all facilities for wire
communication, TO the destruction OF
! competition and the possibility of
low charges for the use Of wire ser
service. The rapidity with which
formerly independent telephone COM
panies are being absorbed. and the
efforts to induce those still left to
,, enter into agreements for the main
tenance Of extortionate rates. seem
to us TO admit Of no other interpre-
tation than that Of combination for
the restraint of trade directed
against Independent and competitive
companies.
'If telegraphic service at the rate
of one cent or less per word for any
distance Is a possibility of the mod
ern telegraphic art. the public is en-
titled to that sort Of service"
"The petitioners declare their be-
lief that carefully delberated efforts
are being made by the alleged tele-
\ graphic trust to prevent the progress
Of independent enterprises"
IN THE POLICE COURT.