The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-02-18
ORDERED STOPPED
BY COMMISSION
1t Would Shut Off Tele-
graph Service With a
Large Part of the Coun-
try Meeting is to Be
Held in Tallahassee Next
Wednesday to Hear the
Matter.
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL.

SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL.
Tallahassee, Feb. flowing to q
controversy which has arose between
officials of the Atlanta & st. Andrews
Bay railroad and the Western Union
Telegraph Co., the latter has begun
removing its poles and wires along the
route OF the railroad, thus discontinu-
ing service to large part of the Bay
country. Service has been ordered dis
continued at all points along the road
The matter has been reported to the
Florida Railroad Commissioners, who
have instructed the telegraph company
to cease removing its wires and to con-
tinue service to those places where rfe
wires still remain, and a hearing Of TIE
matter has been ordered for TaIlahas-
see next Wednesday.
The matter was reported to the com
mission by Ben w. Steele, general
manager of the road, and the follow
ing letter has been sent him by the
commission:
COMMISSIONS LETTER
Mr. Ben. w. Steele, Gen. Mgr, A. &
St A. B. Railroad, Dothan, Ala.
Dear Sir: We wired you yesterday
as follows:
Referring to your letter I'd. refer
ence Western Union tearing down line
and disseminating service along your
line. Mr. Maxwell of Western Union
here in conference this morning, and
he was instructed to stop further work
in demolishing line until the matter is
further investigated Three o'clock
Feb. Gath is fixed for another meeting
here with telegraph officials and you,
or some official Of your company who
has authority in the matter. You are
asked to continue service as heretofore,
using line remaining. Advise
In conference with Mr.. Maxwell yes
terday the commissioners directed him
to stop his workers from tearing down
any more OF his line along your road,
until further investigation is made. Mr..
Maxwell stated that the matter OF
tearing down the line had not been
handled from his office, and he was
unable TO give up all the particulars
relating to the contract between his
company and yourself and controver-
sizes leading up to the revocation OF
your contract. The Commissioners de-
sire all the facts connected with the
subject, and told Mr. Maxwell they
would hold another meeting on Feb.
oath at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, at
which time we wanted him or other
representatives of his company in au-
thority present, with all correspon-
dence, contract and other matters re-
iating to the subject. One Of the prin-
cipal reasons for fixing this other
meeting was, to have you present, so
that all the facts may be known in
connection with your side of the case
therefore, you or some other repre-
sentative of your company were re-
quested to come to Tallahassee and
bring all matter relating to the sub
ject to the meeting at 3 o'clock on the
afternoon of Feb. oath.
The Commissioners directed me u
ask, that you continue tae handling og
Western Union business offered over
that portion of their line still remain
ing, pending the final disposition Of
the controversy. This request is mao
with the knowledge of Mr. Maxwell az
the Western Union.
Yours very truly,
J. WILL YON,
Secretary