St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-07-23

The distinguished gentlemen
named did not have, and no person
appeared before us who did have
any knowledge concerning the books,
accounts, and general business of the
companies represented, and no books,
accounts, contracts, papers or docu-
ments were furnished us at tnaI
hearing, except three typewriter
sheets of figures, represented to be
a. statement of income and expense
of the New England company for the
years 1910, 1911 and 1912, which
sheets were prepared by the general
auditor of these companies and pre-
sented to US by the general counsel,
above named.
After listening to all that these
distinguished gentlemen saw fit to
tell us, we began to inquire as to the
expense of wire and poles and appara-
tus and equipment and other matters
that involve the building and main
tanning and operation of the tele-
phone lines, and which, in our opin-
ion, were pertinent and of vital i'm
portance to the subject matter of our
investigation, which information we
were unable to obtain because no one
was present with any such knowI-
edge or information.
In view of these facts and this sit
uation and condition of affairs, we
most strenuously urge upon Your
Excellency the expense involved and
the time necessary for making such
examination ofthese companies books
and accounts, and suggest the un-
wisdom of this state embarking on
any such expensive, elusive, impract-
ical, and in our opinion, unnecessary
excursion.
Puts Proof On Companies
We maintain and respectfully sub
nit to you that in view of the exist
ing condition of affairs as disclosed
by our investigation and as outlined
above in this report, and in our
supplemental brief of facts transmit
ted herewith, that the burden in the
first instances ought and should
rest upon these public utilities to
satisfy the commission that their
rates, charges and business methods
are fair, just and equitable; said
commission having been established
by law to protect the public against
unjust, unfair and unreasonable
practices, charges and rates, which
we are satisfied exist in this state at
the present time.
This conclusion is based in part
upon thesfact that the contracts by
the New England company with its
subsidiary and connecting companies
are in restraint of trade and unfair to
the local company; and that indie
pendent companies in this state have
made and are making fair profit on
their investment, Notwithstanding the
heavy burdens loaded upon them by
connecting profit, traffic, and pur-
chasing contracts with the New
England company, and at the same
time have kept their lines and plan
in a good state of repair and have
been more liberal than the New
England company or it's subsidiaries
in the extent of free zone territory
to subscribers and have furnished as
good and in many instances better
service and at a considerably lower
rental.
Complaints are General
Also complaints as to poor service
furnished by such companies are
pretty general, and almost universal
throughout the state, and based up
on good and sufficient reasons by sub
scribers. This is particularly true in
those sections of the state where, I'M
til the past four or five years, the
service was furnished by strictly in
dependent companies and which are
now either owned or controlled by
the New England company.
The reasons for such poor service
are primarily the failure of the COM
pany to pay sufficient wages to OBJ
tain competent and trained opera
tors. There is no efficient super
vision of operators to keep the SER
vice to a proper and efficient stand
ard, nor are there sufficient service
tests made by the companies to keep
the supervisors and operators alive
to the public needs, convenience and
accommodation.
The only way in our opinion that
the burden can be cast where we be-
Iieve in justice and equity it belongs,
is for the public service commission
to make such order or orders based
upon our investigation, hearing and
report, as the facts, circumstances
and the welfare, accommodation and
convenience of our people. demand.
Rates Recommended
We therefore respectfully recon-
mend that there be issued by the
commission a general order putting
into effect sixty days from the date
thereof, the following maximum
business and residence rates for sub
scribers' rentals:
Business, one party. $4,000
Business. two party 24.00
Business, four party. 49,. 21.OO
BusinessAmore than four party. 1900
Residence. one party. $4,000
Residence. two party. .. 1900
Residence, two to six party 1900
Residence, more than six party. 1900
And that the toll rates as estab-
lished by the present tariff of rates
now in force and on file with the
public service commission be re-
duced at least 20 per cent. and that