The Washington herald., 1914-05-23
CITIZENS LAUNCH
TELEPHONE Fight
Forty Business Men Perfect
Organization Of Sub
scribers' Association.
PROTEST HIGHER RATES
Meeting Also Adopts Resolution Crit
icisins Public Utilities Commis-
sion for Its Ruling.
PROTEST HIGHER RATES

Forty washipston business men yes
terday perfected an organization to be
called the Telephone Subscribers As
ISOLATION" to fight the proposed change
OF rates by the Chesapeake and Potomac
Telephone Company.
The telephone company was charac-
terixed BY Greed M. Fulton. who was
)present at the meeting at the Ebbitt.
as having the most unreasonable rates
|of any company anywhere, and especially
In cities the size Of Washington" The
Public Utilities Commission was criticised
for Its lack Of actioh.
Omcers Are Elected.
Jesse L. Heiskell. OF Heiskell & Nc
Leran, who organized the movement to
prevent what Is claimed to be an arbi-
trary raise of rates, was elected per-
mencnt chairman OF the association.
Willoughby 8. Chesley. of Chesley and
protest. and c.. N. Fairfax was made
treasurer.
The appointment of a committee of
five TO confer with the Public Utili-
ties Commission was authorized. The
officers win be members, and the ad-
ditional two will be appointed by Mr.
Heiskell.
The principal resolution passed by
the members said in substance:
Whereas the Chesapeake and Po-
tomac Telephone Company has given
notice to cancel contracts, and whereas
said cancellation and substitution
would result in raising the rates for
telephone service. and whereas rates
are fixed by law, and the subscribers
have not violated their contracts;
And. whereas, unless the Public
Utilities Commission shall order IL, II
shall be unlawful for any public util-
ity in the District to demand, collect
or receive greater compensation for
any service than the charge fixed on
the lowest schedule of rates for the
same service under the law in force at
the date Of the passage of the law;
And whereas tine Public Utilities Com
mission as declared that tho old fiat rate
is discriminatory and that they, the Pub
lie Utilities Commission. are not prepared
to fx rates or to determine what Is an
adequate or proper rate for telephone
service In the District. therefore,
Protest Against Ruling.
BE it resolved that the subscribers for
telephone service under contract with the
Chesapeake and Telephone Company Of
the District in mass meeting assembled,
protest against the action of the said
telephone company and also against the
ruling Of the Public Utilities Commits
sion.''
Several of the business men present
claimed that the telephone company had
no legal right to change rates. 1t was
said that when the agents Of the tele-'
phone company had been unsuccessful in
their attempt to make new contracts.
they had receded from their position
F. Eugene Lampkins. of the s. NJ.
Wagner Company, told of an instance
where the company had tried to reduce
the commission OF the Wagner company
for public telephones. Mr.. Lampkins said
that when the telephone company was
ordered to remove the telephones they
consented to pay the commission then
in effect.
Chris ]. Gockeler, secretary of the
Washington Board of Trade and repre-
senting Louis Hartig at the meeting.
said that he had been told that the
telephone company could cancel con-
tract on ten days notice.
Several members urged that the COM
pany must by law file notice of their
intention to establish rate. and that.
therefore. their position was untenable
legally.
Among those who took part in the dis
cussion were John ]. Nolan, contractor;
Thomas B. Huyck, real estate: c. A.
Muddiman and Greed NJ. Fulton
Mr.. Fulton, in a speech. said that the
company had not changed its service
without applying for permission A SUBJ
scriber, he said, would have the right
to kick out of his office a telephone Of
ficial who had. not applied to change
rates"
Game of Bluff.
IF the rates are changed" Mr.. Full
ton said. cit will be because the COM
pany is successful in a game Of blun.
They have no legal right to ask discon-
tipuance of -tne Dresent service