The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-07-24


each and all of these questions gave
a full and frank answer so far as my
knowledge, without any opportunity
for preparation, permitted. | am not,
however, omniscient even as to the
telephone business of Vermont and
in some instances had to admit my
inability to answer. Sometimes the
other gentlemen could supply my
lack and when none of US could an
swer the special commissioners were
told that we would furnish the infor-
nation later il desired.
A stenographer was present at TINS
meeting who stated after its close
that her notes were not verbatim but
she thought they covered the sense
of the statements made. Because OF
this subsequently asked Mr. Ora.
ham to let me have transcript oil
these notes and offered to pay all ex-
pense. To my surprise | received
rom Mr.. Cook on July IL, the fol-
Owing letter:
July 10, 1913.
NJ. B. Jones, General Counsel n. Il.
T. & T. Co.,
Boston, Mass.
Brother Jones'
Brother Graham communicated to
me your desire for a copyl OF the
transcript from the reporter at st.
Adams.
do not see how we have any au-
thority to furnish the same.
A communication to the Governor
would give you what you wish, If he
desires it furnished.
Sincerely yours,
L. A. Cook.
This is the proceeding which
Messrs Graham and Cook idignify
with the name of hearing" and with
reference to which they complain
that we did not produce books and
accounting officers whose. presence
had not been requested
The New England Telephone and
Telegraph company recognizes that
as a public service corporation it is
subject TO regulation by the state.
To such regulation it has never oGier-
ed objection.
The people of Vermont has e.-
tablished Public Service Commits
sion clothed with power to receive
complaints and to rectify by order
any mequities or injustice that may
exist.
An orderly course of procedure for
ascertainng the facts is provided by
law and full and fair opportunity Is
given all parties in interest to pre-
sent all the facts and to be heard
upon the cincmsions to be deduced
from the facts.
The New England Telephone and
Telegraph company has promptly com
piled with every suggestion, recon-
mendation, requirement and order
made by this tribunal since it was
established by the State OF Vermont.
1t stands ready at all times to render
to thfs or 10 any other properly con
stituted governmental authority a
strict accounting as to its rates, its
service, its relations with the public
with its employees and with ither com
panieG
In behalf of the company ! WISH
however TO most vigorously protest
against recommendation OF com
plete telephine rate schedule for the
entire state made after u supernclal
investigation of barely monthly
inexperienced men and with scarcely
a pretense of any attempt to Justify
their recommendation by facts.
The law of the land provides and
| believe the people of Vermont desire
that the company may receive q IAN
| return upon its property.
The company will prove as soon as
il is given the opportunity to do SC
| that il is not earning fair return on
It's investments in the State OF Yer
mont.
Messrs Cook and Graham appar
entity wished to avid coming Il this
| conclusion. They asked fer the earn
| ings of the company but did not ash
| for the expenses or the amount ol
| property involved.
NJ. b. Jones.