The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-04-10
rhe TeIephone Invs.,Iaa,Ion

H~ 'Nf~FfNH~ NH~eho~ANH
The Bennington Banner, which is
owned and edited by Lieut.. Gov.
Howe. in its role OF premier and de-
fender OF Gov. Fle.cher's admins
tration. has allowed its zeal in his
behalf to wrap It's judgment. For
instance It scores the Randolph Her.
aid and News and the ST. Adams
Messenger as being unfair In their
editorial criticism Of the governor in
the telephone cases just decided.
Now the Standard holds no brief
for the two papers named. they are
able to fight their own battles. but
we entirely disagree with the Ban.
ner IN It's attempt to impugn the
motives OF these papers. our judg-
ment being based solely on the Ian
guage OF their editorial comments.
On the contrary II seems to us
that the frame Of mind which the
Banner has allowed itself to be
worked into emphasizes the partisan
nature Of is utterances which con-
Germ any phase OF Gov. Fletcher's
administration.
The Standard has refrained from
comment on the telephone matter
until the case was summed up, but
it has given the investigation careful
consideration and being situated
so as to have hrst-hand information
relative to the profits in the tele-
phone business, we have no hesitancy
In lining up with those state papers
which condemn the governors -ac-
ton in connection Herewith.
Enosburg Falls is the headquarters
OF the largest independent telephone
company in New England, the so
called Ovitt lines. We have watched
the growth OF this organization from
the time il first started with two
telephone connections until the pres
ent. when It has some $500 connec-
tions. II serves the medium-sized
incorporated villages like Richford.
Swanton. Enosburg Falls, Essex
Junction and Morrisvile, together
with numerous smaller villages and
the farming element tributary there
&c.
We know that there is no water in
its capitalization, that its operating
department is ably and economically
managed. that there are, no high-sal-
larled officials, and no expensive
buildings TO be main aimed. II gives
an all night and Sunday service and
the property is maintained in a good
physical condition. SO far as we
know the rates. SIS per year as
basis, are acceptable, to its patrons.
This rate has just been approved by
the present public service commits
sion. yet careful examination of
their reports discloses the fact that
this rate is none too much for the
service rendered and the capital in
vested.
The public service hearing also
disclosed the fact that the sl2 rate
of smaller Independent companies is
none too large.
Consequently. in forming a Judge
ment regarding the reasonableness
of the New England companys
rates. the rates of the smaller COM
panies quoted above form fair
basis, and a relative comparison of
the different systems is sound and
just.
The New England Telephone COM
pany has no water in its capitaliza-
ton, in fact the physical valuation
taken few years ago by the state
of Massachusetts disclosed the value
of the plant to be s5,OO0,0O0 in
excess of the outstanding capital.
This company is serving the large
communities in Vermont like Bur
lington, Montpelier, Barre, st. Johns
bury, Brattleboro, Bellows Falls,
Springfield. Bennington and Rutland,
where the expenses incident to more
congested centers and larger ex-
changs are greater than in the case
of the Independent companies.
For instance the company is com.
PEELED to put its wires underground
and the switchboard and everything
pertaining to the mechanical con
struction of the exchanges entails a
much greater expense. 1t has to
maintain a higher standard of eff
cheney for toll lines, maintaining cop
per circuits for all long distance ser
vice.
So that it would seem to fair and
unprejudiced business mind that
the charge Of SIS per year made by
the New England company is not ex