The Detroit times., 1911-11-15
SUPREME COURT WILL
DECIDE QUESTION OF
PHONE CONNECTIONS
Representatives of Bell Company
Maintain That Law Is
Unconstitutional.
COMMISSION HEARS CASE.
Protest Against Demand That
Physical Connections Be
Made With Competitors.
COMMISSION HEARS CASE.

LANSING, Mich, Nov. 15.-Wheth-
er OF not the state railroad commits
sion issues an order requiring the
Michigan State Telephone company To
make physical connections with its
competitors In compliance with the
provisions of the Giles law placed on
the statute books at the last session
of the legislature, is apparently a
matter OF little concern 10 the Bell
company, as it's representatives stated
at the hearing Tuesday afternoon that
they considered the law unconstitu-
tional and would secure an opinion on
the matter in the supreme court, re-
gardless of any ruling the commission
might make,
Some time ago the Michigan State
Telephone company notified the com
mission that a corps of experts would
be here TO testify when the applica-
ton OF the Lansing and Grand Ledge
citizens for physical connections was
heard, but the experts failed to put IN
an appearance, and aside from the
fact that the Bell faction informed
the commission that the Giles act was
unconstitutional and in direct con-
travention OF the federal and state
constitutions. there was little doing
by the interests representing the Bell.
1t was contended by some OF the in
dependents that the American Tele-
graph & Telephone company OF New
York, which controls the Bell, had
taken the matter out OF the hands OF
the Michigan State company, but this
was denied by l.. Nj. Butzeii, Detroit
attorney, who was here in the inter
ests of the Bell Hunt Chipley, or
New York, and L.. G. Richardson, OF
Chicago, legal representatives OF the
American Telegraph q Telephone
company were on the ground, but But
zell declared that they were here only
as a matter of formality.
During the hearing IL was brought
out that in several sections of the
state physical connections between
the Bell and the independent COM
panies have been established and the
petitioners declared that inasmuch as
1t is possible and practical TO estab-
ish this system In one section of the
state that the Bell should not hesi-
tate to take similar action elsewhere.
1t is said the principal reason OF the
Bell company for not wanting to act
i'm the matter is the fact that loss
of patronage is feared owing to the
popularity OF and local interest in the
Independent companies. Several wit
nesses swore that it was a public
necessity and would prove a great
convenience should the interchange
OF service be established.
r. A. Latting, OF Grand Ledge. who
with +. S. Avery. of Lansing, repre-
sented the petitioners, had 20 wit.
nesses who were willing to swear that
the establishment of physical connec-
tions would not increase the cost of
operation. "
The Giles law proves that the com
pany making the connection may col
lect five cents from the customer and
Judging from the testimony of the in
dependents and the Citizens company
the latter corporation does not con-
slider this would be losing PROPOSE
tion in the long run. Commissioner
Hemans expressed a desire for infor-
nation as to whether such connect
ions would be practical and the in
dependent interests Immediately came
forward with the statement that the
Bell has already adopted this system
at Sunfeld. South Haven. Alpena and
Onaway
Before the hearing adjourned it was
decided that both sides should pre-
sent briefs 10 the commission setting
forth the legal points involved. The
apparent indifference with which the
representatives of the Bell company
treated the matter shows that it
makes but little difference to them
whether the commission acts in the
matter as they are determined to
have the case go TO the supreme court
for a final decision.