The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-03-15
PROTECT USERS
OF TELEPHONES
Author Of Regulatory Bill Wants
People SafeguaTded.
DEMAND FOR YOUNT BILL
Patrons Of Telephone Companies Ask
For Protectlon--state Regulation
VIII ee Of Much Interest TO Phone
Users.

Columbus. Z. 49, Especially The
spirited public discussion throughout
Ohio concerning the cunt senate
bill regulating the telephone bust
ness las brought out many features
Of this proposed legislation not ap-
parent at first glance to the eye OF
the unlnitiated. The one that inter
ests the real party in Interest
the user OF the telephone--is the
almost llmitless powers reposed
in the commission The commits
sion will be IT when 1t takes
hold Of the Industry. There is hard
ly a telephone user In the state who
has not at one time or another in
his experience as a user OF the ser
vice had some unpleasantness-big
to him, but perhaps considered small
by the company has rankled In
his bosom or many q day.
Too mal.J corporations have been
absolutely unmindful OF the funda-
mental fact that they and not the
public are the real servants In the
business OF supplying a public need,
and this public. sentiment for regula-
tion Of all public utilities, and which
has resulted In the enactment into
law In dozen states OF the princi-
plies underlying the proper regulation
OF telephone and other industries.
There Is possibly no other business
that comes so thoroughly into every.
day life, social and business, AS the
telephone Ii is constantly at ones
side in business and In the home.
II IL is possible to regulate and
closely supervise this business--and
other states have blazed the way
the OHIO Legislature proposes to do
this very thing
Under the terms OF the New York
law. which is considered an admira-
BILE statute, and which Senator Yount
has followed in his proposed law, 1t
Is the duty Of the commission, and
they q" their duty. TO really manage
the telephone business in that state
In the interests OF the public; in
fact, the commission recognizes that
the public should not be considered
simply In the light of useful finan.
cial contributor. but as the real par
ties in interest The telephone, com.
panies have been quick TO see the
handwriting one Tie wall and are
adopting the policy OF treating their
subscribers as associates In their
business rather than as mere GUS
toners. AS that term Is ordinary
used II is realized that the active
cooperation and support Of the pat.
ron is required in every department
OF the business. slrs n.+.
Telephone companies exist prlmar.
lily under rights granted TO them by
the public. and without such rights
they could not be in business at all.
Senator Yount says that under
state control the commission can
compel the companies 10 build lines
to subscribers new without service !;
can compel the establishment and
maintenance Of proper and reason
able rates can compel courteous
and fair treatment on the part OF the
employees OF the telephone company
and can completely supervise the
companies in all OF their relations TO
the patrons and the public.
Senator Yount has made COM
plete study of the Whole matter; has
consulted with the Ohio telephone
| operators and with the authorities OF
cthc: states in order that he might
| produce proper statute. lie be-
lieves there Is an increasing and un
deniable demand from the people for
this 'egulation ha believes that the
| feeling on the part OF the telephone
user, the inventor and the banking in.
terests who produce funds for ex-
ploltation Of enterprises is that the
waste OF duplication OF capital and
effort must stop.
In town where there are two tel
| ephones the dollar earns far below
| It's real power, because the money IL
diverted into two channels there
| are two expense accounts for The
companies TO pay and two bills for
the subscriber TO pay. while that fac,
tor ia the situation gets an inferior
service, or. II he gets all the ser
vice. pays double for Il.
Senator Yount has discovered
through receipt OF thousands OF let
ters from Individuals and active busi
ness interests In all parts OF Ohio
that the telephone user, while mol
unmindful OF the enormous effect oi
competition In bringing the telephone
business 10 It's present high state oi
development in Ohio. now feels thai
competition has served Its purpose
admirably, and that tho trend OF the
dimes is toward the doctrine go
operation, not competitions is the life
Of trade" and that this cooperation
can best be secured and the rights
OF the public at the same time bes
safeguarded. not by wasteful compe
tition, but by the regulation OF com
petition and the creation OF cooper
alton through the medium OF stat'
control
! Every house needs cleaning now
{ so does the svgtem DO IL right