The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-04

tContinued from Pare one.)

Continued from Page One.)
Represented utilities. with the excep-
ton Of W. G. Ralston. city attorney Of
Topeka. not single person represent
ing the public or patrons OF Kansas
Telephone companies entered appear
ance.
Brought Out by Governor.
out telephone tangles in the state was
brought about by George H. Hodges
governor OF Kansas, and il the result
Of alleged complaints from the public
as to the present policy Of telephone
utilities collecting rentals in advance.
Tho objection N to the Jurisdiction
of the commission made today prom
Uses to be . stumbling block for the
commissioners 30 far as the present
hearing 10 concerned. However, the
case viii continue to be heard and the
commission win attempt to ascertain
whether or not an order 10 necessary.
Should evidence. introduced at the
hearing show nat an order 10 neces-
cary. It IL expected that another hear
ing will be called at a future date.
Complaint From Topeka.
Following a statement by w. c. Raj
ston. city attorney. that numerous
complaints had been received by him
In Topeka an to the present policy Of
collecting rentals by telephone utili-
ties. p. H. Hopkins. general manager
of the Missouri and Kansas Telephone
company. testified in behalf of the
consumed most of the mornings ses-
sion.
i Topeka's Case.
Topeka was the last town in the
state in which the present policy of
collecting rentals was enforced; said
ar. Hopkins. Under the present
policy, the companies avoid heavy loss
es which they experienced under the
old ,aystem Of not enforcing the rule.
Present losses Of our company are
less than one-third those undef the
old system.
1--WE do not collect entirely in ad-
vance but during the current month.
At Hutchinson the exchange gives a
discount of Is cents a phone per
month IL the rentals are paid before a
certain date. Practically all patrons
avail themselves of the rule. How
ever. I believe that it should be elimi-
nated.'
On the stand Hopkins acknowledged
that he had heard complaints coming
from Topeka but denied that he had
heard complaints from other cities i'm
the state. 'The rule has been in ef-
feet In most towns in the state for,
number of years." said Hopkins. land
the public has grown accustomed to it.
The income per month from To-
peka subscribers aggregates about
SIC. 1000 and the collection percentage
for last month was about 8S per cent
collected
Commissioner Foley: How about
the complaint that under the present
policy of advance payment telephone
companies are doing business on capt.
tai that belongs to the public?"
Hopkins: II don't think that will
hold good. although we do to a GER
tain extent collect in advance the
amount is not sufficient to be of any
consequence"
Foley: rs 1t possible to make a sub
stitute for this rule and at the same
time protect the telephone companies
from losses -
tenn were used the number of tele-
phone subscribers would decrease. II
a man had to put up S. or $40 as
guarantee, chances are. If he was hard
up he would not use telephone"
Foley: another complaint Is that
wait until the end of the month for
collections. What is your answer to
that % =
Hopkins: IA Eroceryman has the
right to select his customers. We
have not. Telephon. companies are
compelled to supply service upon ap-
plication.'
Foley: ''What was the collection
delinquency in Topeka before the
present rule was enforced?'
Hopkins: Forty per cent"
Justified, He Said.
Mr.. Hopkins also stated that he be-
lieved that the telephone companies
were Justified in collecting in advance
DESPITE the policy Of light, water and
gas companies in making collections
after the goods had been furnished.
.'In the case OF the light and water
companies" said Mr.. Hopkins. 1.-THE
consumer buys his apparatus. The
telephone company stands the expense
Of this apparatus"
l.. c. Criner OF the Mcpherson tele-
phone company. stated that in his be-
lief there should be a different rule
for small towns and in the larger
cities. II do not think that a hard
for all parts of the state" said Mr..
Criner G. B. Darling Of Hartner.
Kan, also testified today.
Following Is a partial list of repre-
sentatives who entered appearance at
the hearing today: John 1; Hunt Of
kansas Telephone company. the
United Telephone company. and the
Arkansas Valley Telephone company;
J. W. Scott of Smith Center, represent
J. c. James Of Hillsboro. representing
the HillsborO Independent Telephone
company: E. e. Campbell of Yates
Center; L. c. Criner Of Mcpherson.
representing the Mcpherson Tsle-
phone company.
e. ]. Frantx of Conway Springs.
representing the Home Telephone,
Water and Electric company; r. A..
Branaman OF Meade. representing the
Southwestern Telephone Co.: John
Erbreber Of st. Marys, representing
the st. Marys Telephone company; E.
8. Hogueland and Fred Coulson Of
Topeka, representing the Kansas In
dependent Telephone association: c.
s. Gibbons Of NickersOn, representing
| the Nickerson Telephone company;
Fred 8. Scoresby of SterNng. repre-
senting the Sterling Telephone COM
pany; Chas. d. Williams of Silver
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