Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-10-02

PROCEEDINGS NOT JUDICIAL
Chairman Bacon Says Matter of
Their Finances Remains
Solely with the Com
panieS to Disclose.

Montpelier, Sept. 3o--Thc Senate cham
her of the State House was packed t,
overlooking this morning when Chair
man Robert G. Bacon Of the public serv
fee commission called to order the hear
ing to be given the various telephone
companies of Vermont for the purpose o
hearing the arguments of companies an,
individuals as to why the present rate
and schedules should not be material,
decreased on December ], 1918
The proposed rates range from SIS to 50
per annum for a business telephone an,
81 to $24 for a residence telephone, ac
cording to the line, service rates to be
maximum. The order of notice also Gale,
for a reduction in the toll rates of 10 pc
cent
Chairman Bacon read the names of TIL
hundred or more companies summoned
Representatives. of each company ant
individuals answered to the call of the
names Several companies and individ
uals failed to enter an appearance.
Harland Il. Howe of St Johnsbury en-
tered appearances for several companies
Chief Counsel NJ b. Jones, John q
Sargent OF Ludlow and w. b. C. Sticltney
Of Bethel appeared for the Nev. England
Telephone and Telegraph company. MIR
Jones and John w. Redmond of Newport
answered for the Vermont Telephon,
company.
SOME ANSWERS FILED.
Typewriter answers to the summons
were filed by representatives of several
companies The majority, however, APP
81,
the exact nature of the proceedings had
been disclosed.
Attorneys f. A. Cook, w. A. Graham
and e. II. Deavitt filed appearance for the
state of Vermont.
one woman, Mrs. VI. II. Field, an
nounced herself as the representative OF
he Isle La Motto Telephone company.
W. y. Graham of counsel for the State
asked that right be reserved to call the
cases for hearing as they appear in the
notice. The request was allowed.
Chairman Bacon said the hearing was
10 be an administrative and not judicial
one. He said the subject matter of their
finances remain solely with the companies
80 disclose and ordered them to proceed
with their cases
John W. Redmond suggested that the
companies be divided into three classes:
The New England compt ny, its subsidiary
companies in Vermont and the independ-
ent companies
companies declared when the roll was
called that In no way We're they con-
locted with the New England and asked
to he dismissed.
Allen Hollis, president of the White
Mountain Telephone company, sought to
have his company classified. He stated
his company had few lines in Vermont.
EXAMINATION is BEGUN.
Mr. Hollis was in a hurry to get back
to Concord, y. H., and asked for an
early hearing. Chairman Bacon elected
from Mr.. Hollis the information that the
New England owned the majority Of the
stock In his company The White Noun
tain Telephone company was forthwith
classed as a subsidiary of the New Eng.
land.
After a Commute recess the examina
ton of the representatives, of each com.
pany began. E. a. Field, representing the
Addison and Panton Telephone company
was sworn to give testimony. Attorney
llarland Il. Howe caused some surprise
by Directing to the plan Of procedure. II
conference with others for the indie
pendent companies, they reported IS ou
of 10 companies ready to establish rates
according to the schedule arranged By
the commission. They wanted to filt
their answers and go home. Attorney
John w. Redmond objected
Nr, Field continued his testimony. II,
denied that the New England company
held any stock in his company. He wa.
questioned by several representatives. o
Independent companies.
John f.. Alexander of Rockingham
owner of the Saxtons River exchange
was sworn to give answer to the com
mission. He stated that his company haC
80 miles of wire, 900 poles and II
subscribers, and he went into detail il
describing his investment in equipment
mis- operating expenses and income. Hi
yearly profit on an investment of $500
was 10 l-3 per cent. He made no allow
ancos for reserves or depreciation, how
ever.
a recess of two hours was taken a
noon.
ALEXANDER is RECALLED,
The hearing was resumed at 200 p m
and Mr.. Alexander was recalled.
Mr.. Graham of counsel for the commits
sion resumed his questioning OF Mr.. Alex
ander.
The witness stated that he was engaged
IN the insurance business at Bellows
Falls in addition to his duties as a tele
phone company owner,
His appraisal of the equipment of thu
SaXtons River telephone exchange reat
at the morning session was prepared her
and before the opening of the hearing
He attended conference of telephone
men before the meeting opened. His ap
praisal was not prepared at or after thu
conference.
Mr.. Alexander, in answer to Mr.. Ora
hams question of how much money wal
represented in New England telephone
ownership and equipment, replied
About i,5G0"
The amount is nearly one-half Of thu
Total appra!sals as given at $4,000 by thu
witness at the morning session.
Mr.. Alexander said the rental chars'
was 50 yearly before he leased the Saxton
River exchange and after he contracted
NTH the New England Telephone ant
Telepraph company residence rates wer'
increased to sl2 with discount for promp
payment,
Mr. Alexander testified that although
ne and his subscribers were forced Il
nav for outgoing calls over New Eng
land lines he received no payment fo
use of his lines by New England sub