The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-03-17
"DoVE OF PEACE" 1REleNs

What threatened a week ago to be
an intermidable war between the
Crawford County Telephone company
and the farmers OF the county has
been averted and the dove OF peace
now hoyers about us. The transforms
ton came about on Saturday last as
suddenly as the trouble arose a few
days before.
The difficulty started by the tele-
phone company on its own motion,
. raising the rates to be charged for
service without first consulting its
patrons. The company made the mis-.
taKe of thinking it could run its own
business according TO it's own judg-
1nent and in it's own Way. 1t looked
over its income ard expenses and
figured out that i'll ordep TO meet its
expenses and to secure reasonable
return OF profit to the stockholders,
that raise in rates was advisable
and itiraised the'rates. accordingly.
There would have been no objection
from any source but for the fact that
the increase in the income was to be
met by the patrons Of the company,
and when this fact became known a
universal complaint was instantly
registered and for several days the
war in Europe was forgotten and q
contest inaugurated against the tele-
phone company to induce it to restore
the rates which had been in force up
to the time OF raising the rates. The
question of reducing the rates be-
~ 81 nh f,f irin rEhC
Arguments to sustain this contention
We're presented with some feeling and
considerable emphasis. First, it was
said the new rates were put into force
too suddenly and at least a months
notice OF the change should have been
given. Second, that the new rates
were unreasonable and oppressive.
Third, that the company had decided
to vote the money of the people into
the treasury OF the company. Fourth,
that the patrons were not to blame
for the loss OF the company and should
not be compelled to make up losses.
Fifth, if the company desired to live
within its income it should practice
greater economy. An ultimatum was
given the company to the effect that
it should not only restore the old rates
but should agree not to change them
for at least ten years.
This was the situation until last
Saturday afternoon when something
happened to relieve the strain and to
restore degree of harmony between
the contending parties. The people
say the company surrendered and fig
uratiyely speaking climbed down the
pole" Friends of the company say
that the farmers were taken in or ut
least a compromise was effected which
met the approval of both the company
and the people. The company, at
least, consented to restore the rates
to what they We're before the raise
and the people by resolution said they
would favor bill before the legis-
lature giving the railroad commission
power to fix telephone rates and
recommend our senator and represent
ative to support the measure.
We do not say who were the victors
or the vanquished in the mixup, but
it is a fortunate thing to have tie
order that we can now give our alter
ton to affairs in Europe. One thing
is certain, that, the people propose to
have a hand in the management Of
public utilities from now on and it
would be we'll for everyone to know
when he puts his money into venture
of this. character that the business
shall be conducted under public super
vision. The commission plan OF fix
ing rates will he better for company
for. then the rights OF both the com
pany and the people will be safe.
guarded. While the. trouble was on
Z it was fast and furious, but fortunate
.ly for all it did not last long enough
to cause any hearts to be broken.