New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-12
"TELECRAPH|C TRUST
NOW ALLEGED TO EXIST
American Telephone and TeIe-
graph Company Accused of
Violating Sherman Law.
PETITIONERS ASK RELIEF
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion May Make Thorough In
vestigation of Rates-Law
Gives It Jurisdiction.

Washington. Nov IA thorough nves-
tigation of existing telegraph and telephone
rates is believed to he foreshadowed by de-
mands which nave been filed with the In
terstate Commerce Commission In the form
of petitions directing the attention OF the
commission ito the apparent purpose Of
the American Telephone and Telegraph
Company to monopolize all facilities for
wire communication
The movement to compel action on the
part OF the commission. to which jurisdic-
ton over telegraph and telephone lines was
given by the last act amending the inter-
state commerce law, is a concerted one.
The petitions. identical in form. profess to
set forth the desires Of individuals in sew
eral Western states.
While no action has vet been taken. the
commission. 1t is said fully realizes that
the question of rates must be reviewed in
short time. When ii issued its order as
Stunning jurisdiction over companies en-
gagged in interstate business as common
carriers of messages Ivy wire, 1t was 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 commits
sion at that time withheld expression OF
it's views with respect TO the amenablity
Of these carriers
The petitions urge that quick, reliable
and economical REORGANIZATION is so
essential to the commercial and social In
terest of the citizens of the various states
that Geographic service and the charges
therefor more vitality concern the welfare
and prosperity of all classes than do the
service and rates of the express COM
panes.'
Continuing. the petitioners say:
We believe your investigation OF tele.
graph conditions would disclose the fact
| time have been, deliberately deprived OF
| the advantages. benefits and economies oil
| low uniform rates by systematized viola
| tons of the laws designed for their pro-
| lection and betterment. That exorbitsnf
! rates for unimproved service have beer
maintained either by actual com animation
or by "gentleme1s agreements. and thai
strenuous efforts have been employed &c
prevent the introduction of cheap tolls
whether by competition or legislat tive
measures, seems obvious to your petit
TONERS.
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 POSI-
blity of low charges for the use OF wire
service. The rapidity with which former
~ independent telephone companies are
being 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 interpre-
tation than that of combination for the
restraint of trade" directed against in
dependent and competing companies
II teegra phic service at the rate Of one
cent or less word for any distance Is
possibility of the modern telegraphic
art the public is entitled 10 that sort OF
| service.
The petitioners declare their belief that
carefully deliberate efforts are being made
by the Teegrs phic Trust to prevent the
progress of independent enterprises" and
they therefore urge the commission to in.
yestigate the operations, business and
policies OF all the telegraph companies OF
the United States"