Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-10-16
HALL CALLS RATE
CUT CONF|SCAT|0N
Unfair to the People of Vermont
and to the Telephone Com
pany, He Says.
CONTINUED from page onc.)

a high grade, first-class service through
out the four northern New England
States"
CROSS-EXAMINED BY MR.. COOK.
In his cross-examination, Mr.. COOK
questioned Mr.. Hall in regard to changes
in rates and the times where they were
made, with special reference to certain
changes in the metropolitan district ana
other changes ordered by the Massachu-
sets commission. The purpose OF TINS
questioning was not apparent, put MT
Cook explained that it was for the pur-
pose of avoiding the necessity or recall
ing Mr.. Hall
Mr.. Graham conducted the cross-examl-
nation of Mr.. Eal, at the afternoon SEES
sion and inquired regarding the com
mancement of the New England company
in Vermont, which was about 1919 or 1875
The New England company was a con-
solidation of various companies and was
capitalized at $4,000, 900. Par: of this
stock was issued in payment for the prop
erty of the companies taken in ana par
OF It was sold for cash
Wha. was the most important subject
that was under consideration by the com
pany when you became connected "ith
it,"
ITO give good service and fair treat
ment and make people understand It,
that we might avoid hostile aud ili-con-
sidered action. and that is the great
question to-day" he replied.
Mr.. Hall said that the question Of
competition was Just beginning to appear
when he joined the company. He said
I,~; 40. I,D, n trpv. .r!tt
problem with the New England com
pany. In Massachusetts there had been
none worthy the name. In the entire
territory 1t was much less than other
companies had been compelled to meet
especially in the West.
ORGANIZATION OF CHAMpLA1N.
Questioned in regard to the Champlain
Valley company, he said it was a Maine
corporation. organized in 1905 for the pur-
pose of taking over the property of the
New England and three other companies
in that territory. 1t had a capitaliza-
ton of 800, 600 common and 100000 pre-
ferred.
The competing companies taken over
were the Kelley lines. the Moulton
lines, the Addison county and the Peo-
pies.
The New England company received
1,79S shares of preferred and 900 of
common stock for it's property.
The Peoples company was organ
lied in 1906 and was purchased by tn
Champlain Valley in 1911 with a zap
ital stock of $12,500.
Close examination was made of tele-
phone operation, competition and com
bination in the territory of the Cham
plain Valley and especially
the relations among the various com
panies. 1t developed that all but one
of the companies having connecting
contracts with the Champlain Valley
has the oil form of contract, making
a restriction of territory.
These contracts Mr.. Hall believes to b.
wrong as contrary to good business policy
and good public policy. The single eX
ception is the New England company.
Most of the companies have purchasin,
contracts. The purchasing contracts nov
issued exempt material manufactured b.
the Western Electric company from tn
two per cent. commission. Parties to IN.
old contract have been notified that thei
contracts have been modified to this eX
tent.
During the REORGANIZATION, Mr.. Ha
became faint and would have fallen blu
for the support Of a desk against whicl
he was leaning. He quickly recovere,
but the proceedings were adjourned til
morning.