The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-04-25

ochreu ABOUT Whut may happen 10
then, IL utilities bill may be passed
Necessarily, with the increase of pop
ulatton which we now have, 1t be-
comes necessary that a closer union
be had between the people who are
the consumers and the corporations
who serve them This is the insist.
ent demand of the age. You will find
1t everywhere. Acts that we're per-
fectly harmless in a social way 80
years ago are now prohibited.
so that the handwriting is now on
the wall, and corporations might just
as well make up their minds to con-
sent to regulation. And the strange
thing about 1t all is that when cor
porations do consent to regulation, or
when they do get II whether they
want 1t or not, so far as experience
has gone, they have universally found
that II was not only a benefit to the
public, but an absolute benefit to
themselves
mo honest corporation can AFFORD
not to want regulation of its business
with the public and no dishonest cor
poration ought to be heard"
The telephone subscriber was then
given an opportunity to be heard. and
Mr.. Isaac kinsey, President Of the
kinsey Manufacturing Company, and
Vice President Of the Overland Auto
mobile Company, Of Toledo, said:
II happen to be manufacturer and
interested in two concerns employ
ing 5000 men, and speak for large
number Of these men who use tele-
phones. have had experience with
two telephone systems In Dayton and
In Toledo and the result has been
that instead Of competition benefiting
the general public 1t has been bur-
den. I believe that consolidation
OF these telephone interests, provided
that they can be safegualded by
law 30 that a commission may pass
on the quality of service and the
proper charge for service, will be OF
great benefit to the people.
II believe, too, that where tele-
phone company is in town giving
good service, do not think that II
is right or proper for some outside
concern to go in and seek franchise
with no other purpose perhaps than
that VI fixing up deal by which the
company that was originally in con-
troll shall be made to como across and
buy them out
A. n. GreeIy, President General
Carriage and Storage Company, Cleve-
land: II wish to talk to you from
the standpoint Of merchant in the
city Of Cleveland. We are compelled
to have the services of both telephone
companies in our city. believe that
without question our business could
save at least $500 per year II we were
permitted to do business through one
company, and at the same time get
q more adequate and efficient service.
"I have a letter here from the larg-
est retail merchant In our city, Mr.
s. p. Halle, who expected to come
with me to address you tonight. Mr..
Halle says In this letter, which I will
file with the committee: 4 would like
to express myself in favor Of such
bill as would admit of the combina-
ton OF the telephone companies in
our city, eliminating the use OF two
telephones, both on account Of ex-
pense and inconvenience. believe
that such bill should have a provi-
sion for the thorough control over
rates and service by competent au-
thority.'"
Mr.. J. MCGOWAN, Secretary Cham
ber Of Commerce, Youngstown:
when this bill was first called to
the attention Of the chamber of COM
merce OF the city of Youngstown,
which has membership of 600, rep
resenting the commercial, financial,
industrial and labor interests of the
city, the chamber thought they saw
In 1t an opportunity to save the ex.
pense OF a double telephone system.
mo man has two telephones be-
cause he wants them. but because he
has to have them, because IL In bush
ness or in the professions, he fears
that his customer or his client will
not be able to reach him ana ho
loses trade and clients.
Our experience with two tele.
phone companies Is that competition,
80 far rs rates are concerned is
distinction without difference. Com.
petition has saved US nothing In rates.
81 believe, as representing tho
chamber OF commerce, the chamber
OF commerce having indorsed this tel
ephone merger bill. and being COM
posed, as 1t Is, Of all classes OF citi-
zens, that speak for the people and
In the interest of the user of the tele-
phone, and that he may be allowed
to mako q saving by the one system
rather than that he be compelled tc
pay the expenses OF the two 1t would
mean all things that go to placing
the telephone service where It should
be without the ruinous competition
OF two companies"
Hon. George J. karb, ex-Mayor Of
Columbus; 81 want to say to you that
I come here to talk for myself as
business man OF Columbus. believe
I voice the sentiment Of avery fala.