The Detroit times., 1914-01-28
PROTESTS AGAINST
ROTTEN SERVICE
SIDETRACkED
,cOntiBucd From PAGE one,

tcOHtiRued From PaEe onsl
Ished With the dat rate charged at
the present time II does not want 10
change this nat rate for metered on
measured service rate
Even II II would mean better ser
vice. Mr.. ButzeL asked
If the company can give more ser.
vice. more efficient service. more AIDE
quate service. at a less cost, don
think the city would object" Nj. Law
son replied
The city Is advised that the COM
pany Is paying a large amount OF ia
terest and dividends which 10 has no
right 90 pay. The city Is advised that
the company Is paying AZ per cent
OF It's gross receipts 20, the parent
company without receiving anything
In return. Mr. Butzel, We expect 20
challenge the right OF the company
20 demand this charge from the sub
scribers for the service they receive.
The company replied Mr.. But2el.
having in mind quite clearly the
statute law OF the state that l. Is its
duty 70 furnish adequate service az
reasonable and Just rates. believes
that IL Is criticized unjustly for what
Is claimed TO BIZ service not good
enough Tor the city That matter has
already been before the commission.
which has suggested that the company
enforce NE terms OK It's so-called
party contracts The company. in an
EFFORT 70 render adequate service, I'M
Gertook 10 study the problem and,
oaslng II on the experience of other
cities, II has made an application.
which IL believes 10 be fair and lust,
Tor metered service. II We can show
that this service is based on a proper
principle, We hope that the city will
cooperate with as IN enforcing f."
Mr. Butzel said that the company
would be ready 10 meet Mr.. Lawson
IN AZ argument on the Az per cent
charge. He assumed that the ques-
ton OF rates was the only one before
the commission. Mr. Hemans as.
scented
Il don't understand" said Mr.. He.
mans, that the question OF service IS
before the commission. | take Il that
the company is not satisfied with the
service, and admits IT,"
l concede that" quietly remarked
Mr.. lawson
We agree" said Mr Butzel that
the service is not what We would like
it TO be-
The new schedule" pursued Mr..
Hemans. may mean great increase
In rates. or no increase, or Il may
mean decrease The commission
wants 10 know what the result would
be. IL wants 10 know the amount OF
the company's property and the re.
turn necessarily involved 4"
Mr.. Butzel suggested that the infor
nation required would be forthcom,
ing
Let the telephone company make
an inventory" Mr. Lawson suggested.
I understand that it has already
done So said Mr. Hemans.
Then let il make sworn an.
praisal or its property, continued
Mr.. Lawson. Then let II turn over
copies OF the inventory and appraisal
TO US for yerification."
Mr.. Butzel suggested that the CITY
make an appraisal and inventory.
also. and exchange it with the tele-
phone company; but Mr.. Lawson said
with smile
The company is in better DO.
sition than the city 70 undertake such
a task"
We viii furnish an inventory, in q
reasonable time" said Mr.. ButZel.
And an appraisal" said Mr. Law
son
Wen think about that. Mr. Law
SON replied the company's attorney.
You know the cost OF your plant.
and the depreciation; you ought TO
arrive AT an appraisal without trou-
Bile, said Mr. Lawson. LAS for ef.
hcient service. We expect TO be able
to point out where the service can
be increased and without large cost
to the company"
Mr.. ButEel remarked. 1--WE would
ike TO know how to do that. without
any further investigation"
IL was agreed that the inventory
would be ready In two weeks, the ap-
praisal in month. Mr. Hemans said
that the commission would issue no
formal order for them. but would
meet again. Feb. %.
win you furnish Us with a copy
OF your inventory" Mr.. Butzel asked
Mr.. Lawson
We will, II We make one" Mr..
Lawson drily replied.
That Is satisfactory TO u.s." said
Mr.. Butzel
Yours may be so fair that we will
not feel the necessity OF making one.
continued Mr. Lawson. There was
general laughter.
Mr. lawson asked II Mr.. Zahm. the
city's engineer. would have access to
the ccmpanys books and property.
Mr.. Hemans replied that he would,
and that tho commissions engineer
would go over the property with Mr..
zahm The meeting then adjourned.