The Washington herald., 1913-11-14
senate Wants
Phone INQUIRY
Investigation of c. & P. Com
pany by Utilities Body
Is Asked.
INTRODUCED BY NORRIS
Members of Commission Say Probe Of
Railway viii Take All Their
Time for the Present
INTRODUCED BY NORRIS

Demand for searching inquiry into the
affairs of the Chesapeake and Potomac
Telephone Company by the District
Utilities Board was made yesterday in q
resolution passed by the Senate. 1t was
introduced by Senator Norris Of Ne
braska. Discrimination, excessive rates
and species of bribery by the company
are charged.
Members OF the utilities board said last
night that they would be glad to take
up the investigation suggested by the
Norris resolution as soon as possible, but
they pointed out that they haveN just
started an investigation of the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company,
which may continue for months. and that
they have little or no money with which
to investigate anything along the general
lines suggested by Senator Norris.
Demands in Resolution.
The resolution demands:
That the Public Utilities Commission
of the District of Columbia be directed
to supply the Senate with the following
information:
First. The total number of telephones
now in use by government or District
officials within the District of Columbia,
and paid for by appropriations OF Con-
gress.
Second. The total amount paid an
nually for the use of such telephones by
the District of Columbia and the total
amount paid annually for the use Of tele-
phones by the United States government
officials.
Third. The total number Of telephone
exchanges in use by officials of the Dis
trict of Columbia and by United States
government officials within the District
of Columbia.
Fourth. Whether such exchanges were
installed at the expense of the District
of Columbia and at the expense Of the
United States government or whether
the same were installed at the expense Of
the telephone company.
Re.arding Exchange Operators.
Fifth. Whether said telephone ex-
changes are operated by employees OF the
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com
pany or whether they are operated by
employees of the District of Columbia and
employees of the United States govern
ment.
Sixth. Whether under the rules and
regulations adopted and enforced by the
said Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company any preference is given to
members OF Congress and government Of
ficials over other users OF said telephones,
either in regard to, the rental charged
for the use OF telephones or as to condi-
tions under which the use of said tele-
phones can be discontinued.
Seventh. By what law or statute has
the said Chesapeake ana Potomac Tele-
phone Company been permitted to oper-
ate and carry on its business within the
District of Columbia.
Eighth. A schedule of charges for the
use of telephones within the District of
Columbia enforced by the said Chesa-
peake ard Potomac Telephone Company.
Number of Phones in Use.
Ninth. The total number of telephones
now in use within the District of Colum-
bia.
Tenth. The total capital stock Of the
said Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company, and whether said stock. or any
part thereof, is owned by other corpora
tions.
Eleventh. How much Of said capital
stock was actually paid in cash. How
much, if any, of said capital stock was
issued at less than par. and If issued at
less than par. then at what price. How
much of said capital stock was issued
for property other than money, and #
so, what was the value Of such property
as compared with the lar value of the
stock issued for the same.
Twelfth. Whether said Chesapeake and
Potomac Telephone Company owns the
stock, in whole or in part, of other COR
porations. and if so. to what extent and
the names of such corporations and the
value of the stock so owned"