The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-07-17
The Telephone Service Report.

The commission which has been in
vestigating the telephone situation
in Vermont has made its report,
which is printed in full elsewhere,
together with the letter from Cover
nor Fletcher submitting that report
to the public service commission.
Stated in the briefest possible
form the report finds that, in addi-
tion to faulty financiering and man
agement, telephone rates have been
excessive and recommends a reduc-
ton of 20 per cent. in all toll rates
and a substantial lowering of rates
for subscribers. The commission al
so recommends such orders by the
public service commission as shall
prevent any increase in rates, tolls
or charges and any limitation of
free zone territory in the future
without the consent of the public
service commission.
In failing to furnish important in
formation, facts and figures, the
telephone company made an eviden
misplay, which forced the adoption
of reversal of course sometimes
pursued. AS result of Governor
Fletcher's suggestion, instead of the
people of Vermont being put to the
expense of showing that the tee-
phone company is in the wrong. the
telephone company will probably be
forced to choose between the accep-
lance of an order from the public
service commission reducing rates
as outlined and collecting higher
rates through litigation that will
throw upon them the burden of
proving they have right to do what
they have been doing. In other
words the burden is likely to be
thrown on the telephone company in
stead of on the people.
In view of certain telephone con
cessions granted to selectmen In
some instances and various develop
ments outlined in the report 1t is not
expected the telephone company will
care TO make fight in a court of
equity or in the Supreme Court of
Vermont, whereas a plea of inter
state communication would bring
the whole matter before the inter
state commerce commission.
When this investigation was be-
gun there was disposition in some
directions to insist that politics figur
ed in the case. Those who had
knowledge of the details knew bet
ter than this, and some of those who
at first held this position are now
ready to admit that lower telephone
rates and service without discrimina
ton will eventually be the outcome
in Vermont.
If the case had followed the usual
course, it might have dragged along
in the courts for years without any
relief for the public, but If the pub
lie service commission carries out
the suggestion of Governor Fletcher
and the recommendation of the com
mission Of investigation, 1t will be
up to the telephone people to comply
at once or start a fight which sooner
or later will involve all other New
England States as well as Yer
mont, and eventually carry the
whole controversy into the jurisdc-
ton of the public service commits
sion
This would precipitate inquiries
the country over regarding discrimi-
mating contracts and other matters
and result in giving Vermont some
concessions il does not enjoy as
compared with other States. In any
event therefore the people of Yer
mont are fairly certain TO derive
great benefit from the investigation
OF our telephone service. Burlington
Free Press.