The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-05

JopRlTA TUES
OF the interests OF the telephone bust
ness In Kansas. I may also say that
the members OF the executive commit
tee have not even been reimbursed,
Tor the actual expenses incurred In at
tending meetings, to say nothing of
their time and each contributes his
proportionate share to the expense OF
tho association on exactly the same
basis AZ any other operating company.
Association Attracts Attention.
An association so successful as ours
successful through the efforts Of
men whose business interests are iden-
teal with the interests OF each men,
ber-will naturally attract attention
to itself. and other states are fnquiring
into our plan Of organization and the
scope OF our work. believe the Kan
sas Independent Telephone association
has set the peg of progress" well for
ward and that 1t Is keeping its men,
bers informed on the new laws and
regulations, applying to the telephone
business, In such manner as to enable
tn I'm to intelligently conduct their
business in accordance with such new
laws and regulations. 1t is admitted
that la 8 and regulations are being
written with such great rapidtty that
1T Is necessary at times to step lively
to avoid conflict, but up to the present
time the new laws and regulations at
fecting telephone companies, while
causing some Inconvenience, are In
reality beneficial, although it is sug-
gested that additional laws are scarce
ly necessary and that our legislature
could spend its time quite probably
In patching up the leaks in our pres
ent law.
Recommended Changes.
1t is suggested that this association
again recommend the changing Of the
reporting year from June 30 to Decem-
Der 81; that all utilities come under the
jurisdiction OF the public utilities COM
mission; that the powers OF the COM
mission to grant certificate OF con-
venience be strengthened and that 1t
be made necessary for some respOn-
sible person or association Of persons.
to file complaint with the commission
Telephone companies are now being
harassed and the time of the commits
sion taken up with a very large num-
Der of useless and trivial complaints, by
that old friend in every community.
the chronic kicker" --s
During the last year. the association.
through it's executive committee, took
definite position on the proper di-
vision Of tolls. The committee was
tnOTOuSnly Wcl INFORMED anu 1IS dCIIOu
has met with unqualified approval from
very large number of it's members.
1t is desired that the office of the
secretary be used as a clearing house
for all matters necessary to be taken
before the commission. Such action
will enable US to render assistance and
counsel and to be thoroughly Informed
on what is proposed.
Few companies report anywhere near
their actual physical valuation. The
reports show the investments of the
Independent companies to be but two
fifths that Of the Bell company, yet the
receipts Of the Bell company are but
two-thfrds Of the receipts of the inde-
pendent companies.
Association Is Growing.
The finances of the association are
satisfactory to the extent that We owe
nothing. The paid membership is
larger than ever before. but our f1nan-
being members. Some very few COM
panies remain neutra1-'they don't care
who maintains the association, for
Them It is believed by next year.
practically every company, with more
than zoo subscraberse Fin become mem
has but II suhscriBers, and many aver
age about 100, SO this Is An association
for all companies for the good Of the
telephone business and not for any par
ticular person or class.
y, Hogueland's Talk.
In his address this afternoon before
the members Of the Kansas Independ-
ent association E.. H. SHogueland, ex-
secretary of the public utilities COM
mission, recommended the interme-
diate permit plan for Kansas.
zone Of the strongest features Of
the Wisconsin law is the intermediate
franchise permit plan," said the
lrav Sat1 10
given a franchise for no definite
period Of time, but which may become
a virtual monopoly SO long as ade-
quate service for a reasonable COM
pensation is rendered: otherwise the
franchise is revocable. and the mu-
nicipality may purchase the utility.
THE indeterminate franchise has
been tried in a simple form in Massa-
chusetts since the introduction Of
street railways and has resulted in a
ways to the great satisfaction OF the
general public.
ut has been said that the indeter-
inmate franchise will tend to keep the
utility corporations cut Of politics and
will go far towards relieving them
from corrupt political Influences; also
that 1t will obviate the necessity of
sinking funds to retire existing bonds
within the franchise limit.
Efficient Service Required
1.-THE Kansas law requires every
utility and carrier to render reason
ably efficient and sufficient service
and facilities and empowers the COM
mission to make any investigation it
may find necessary to learn the facts
and to make such orders as 1t consid-
ers proper to secure the rendition of
the service required by law.
Poor service will bring more COM
plants against q telephone company
than any other violation OF the act.
1.-The law prohibits discriminatory
rates and practices. The telephone
companies have been, and are today,
am sorry to say, guilty of many
violations Of this feature Of the pub
lie utilities law. In justice to the tele-