The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-05-01
BRISTOL COMPANY AFFECTED
Old Law Which Relieved the Town
Telephone Companies From State In
reference to be Repealed and New
Law to Provide for State Supervision

result from this session on the subject
of telephone connections and service
will be a bill extending the principles
Of the physical connection law to town
telephone companies. BY town tele-
phone companies are meant those COM
panies which are now fast being or
gained in all parts of the state by
farmers for the furnishing of tele-
phone service to residents of agricul-
tural districts. In the physical con-
nection bill of two years ago these
companies were exempted from being
compelled to furnish toll line connec-
tions with what might be deemed rival
concerns. The new law will be, how
ever, so drafted that upon order of the
railroad commission practically every
extension of toll line service can be
ordered necessary to place every tele-
phone in the state upon a universal
toll system.
AS matter of fact the legislation
will not amount to great deal from
a practical standpoint except as lever
for the settlement of disputes which
are now at times arising between town
telephone companies and what at times
the farmers fear may become parent
organizations in the villages Of the
state. Local rivalries are practically
now the only barrier which in any way
prevents physical connection between
all companies furnishing toll service and
there are, as matter Of fact, but few
companies in the state which are not
now connected up so that the subscrib-
ers to the telephone systems have COM
plete toll connections.
With this growth in the toll bust
ness, however, there is coming a ques-
ton which, while it has not arisen be-
fore this legislature, will come to light
later in the question of fixing the pro-
portion of the toll receipts which sha'l
be exacted by parent companies for
furnishing the major toll service. This
question more or less arose in
the discussions at the convention Of
telephone men from all parts Of the
state which was held in January
1t is liable to be, however, commits
sion rather than legislative question,
as there is very little doubt today the
commission has the power to take tes-
timony and fix the proport on Of the
receipts which shall go to the main
trunk toll company and its subsidiary
arteries.
One of the reasons why there is
practically no contest at the present
time over the question of physical con-
nection between the companies is with
out doubt the fact that the Bell COM
pany has in some form or other alb
sorbed most of the large independ-
ent companies in, the state and that
the greater portion of the telephone
mileage in the state is now either in
direct control, of the Bell company or
is connected with the Bell company
under a sublicensee contract which is
a contract by which the Bell company
furnishes toll service for local indie
pendent companies.
Another question in regard to the
telephone business which, while not the
subject of legislation at this session Of
the legislature, is likely to come up in
the not distant future is that of the
adjustment of rates between various
cities in the state. Through the taking
over of local companies by the Bell
system there have arisen many strange
situations, and there is very little
question that there are many instances
in this state, where, by reason of tax
ing over local companies or through
rates that were made by competition
when local companies were in existence
the local service in some cities in the
state is being furnished by the Bell
company at loss.
As result these exchanges are a
burden upon the other exchanges of the
state and the exchanges which are pay
ing high rates that other localities may
receive their telephone service at less
than cost are in time going to demand
general REIMBURSEMENT of rates. This
is likely to be commission question
also, although it may come through a
legislative direction for a general re-
adjustment of telephone rates. That
the railway commission has the power
to make this adjustment at the pres
emit time is admitted, and already
where local companies are in control
and where bankruptcy stared the COM
pany in the face because of inadequate
rates the commission has not hesitated
to SO raise rates as to place the com
pany on firm financial footing. That
lit will not hesitate to take up the
question Of general adjustment Of
telephone charges is also certain.
There will be no change in the form
# telephone taxation at this session