Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1913-05-21
THE TELEPHONE SITUATION.

AS told in news items of this paper
from week to week there has been
much telephone agitation in this
county during the past month. This
agitation has been caused by the
recent raise in rental rates and the
cutting down of the free call zone by
the Passumpsic Telephone company.
subsidiary of the New England COM
pany. In the news column of this
issue will be found printed copy of
a petition to Governor Fletcher from
subscribers of the Passumpsic COM
pany for thorough investigation of
the whole situation and it is probable
that such an investigation will be
made.
What such an investigation will
bring about is hard to say.
For some reason the people as
whole have little faith that they will
get relief and are taking active steps
in several places toward the construc-
ton of independent lines.
The Passumpsic company claims that
the raise in rates is necessary to pay
current expenses, maintain their lines
and equipment. and return a reason
able interest on money invested The
people claim that the rates are ex.
orbitant and the service poor. In a
few words this is the situation and the
only solution of it will be a painstak-
ing investigation of the entire matter.
On the side Of the company the
Monitor has this to say it is entitled
to a fair return for money invested
after paying necessary fair expenses
and providing for maintenance and
upkeep. providing that investment is
not an unreasonable investment. We
may also add to the company side OF
the argument that it is giving a
comparatively large free call zone
here as free call zones go with the
New England and subsidiary com.
panies.
Its new rate is also said to be the
standard of the New England anc
subsidiary companies for this class OF
service.
On the side of the people the Moni
tor may fairly say that they feel that
net raise of SO per cent in price and 6
net decrease of SO per cent in free zone
territory from conditions 1joyed under
former Independent days is viewed
as unfair. That the class OF service
received has increased in proportion tc
the price is debatable That the free
zone may not again be cut down is not
assured.
Some of the things an investigation
may determine, and thereby find q
true basis for proper adjustment OF
rates and zones are: Is the invest
ment of the Passumpsic company g
proper" investment? We don't know
of a better word to express oul
meaning. IS the present capitalization
of the Passumpsic company free from
water Of all kinds? Did the Passump
sic company "a majority of which
stock it must be understood is owned
by the New England company pay
too much for the old lines and business
Of the New England company when i
took over their property upon thu
organization of the Passumpslc com
pany? Was a $4,000 investment i,
the Peoples company of Orleans
county proper" investment? Wa
that property worth that sum in com
parison with the sum of $40. 900 O
$751; said to have been paid for tn
Citizens company of Caledonia county
Is just amount of toll receipt
credited to the Passumpsic compan
by the parent New England company
Will there be any Juggling of tn
books when an investigation begins?