The Washington times., 1917-01-11
National Grange Unanimous for
Government Telephones,
Committee Is Told.
EAVoRs TEST IN DISTRICT
Congressman Lewis and Rags
dale in Tiff at District
Hearing.

~ Endorsed the bill introduced by
Congressman Lewis OF Maryland, pro-
vidiug for the Government ownership
OF telephone lines in the District.
Tho witness said farmers of the
United States are unit upon postal
ization of telephone and telegraph
wires.
The country people are particular
~ anxious that the Government. take
over telephone lines because privately
owned systems only reach those sec
lions in which it is profitable to
operate, said Secretary McSparran.
Want Service First.
We do not advocate operation of
telephone systems at loss by the
Government but we do believe that
the Government would put service
rather than profits foremost In many
sections of the country the farmers
have had to organize their own tele-
phone companies and construct sys-
tens because they needed service and
private corporations would not furnish
them"
Spoke with Authority.
SOAhSOAAg VI NhG
tee. questioned the witness closely to
ascertain whether or not he appear
ed to give his own personal views. or
as the credited representative of the
National Grange with authority to in
:, dorse this particular bill. The wit
ness said Oliver Wilson, president OF
the National Grange; B. John Black,
Or
himself composed the legislative COM
mittee, that they had Endorsed the
Lewis bill, and their Endorsement had
been approved by the National organ
ization. He said ne appeared as the
spokesman for the National Grange.
Endorsed BY Most Oranges.
The witness said practically all the
farmers Organizations in the United
States had -adopted resolutions indors-
ing Government ownership of tele-
phone and telegraph lines so as to put
these means of communication at the
disposal of those who needed them
and to make the charges reasonable.
we farmers believe Washington is
the ideal place to start Government
ownership" said Secretary McSpar-
ran. We believe it would prove a
big Success here. increasing the utiI-
ization to a maximum and reducing
the charges to a minimum.
I'm the National Capital the ex-
pertinent could be watched by Con-
gress and the various Government Of
ficials, particularly the Postoffice De-
partment, which would have chage
of the telephone lines.
The eyes of the country would be
directed toward Washington. watch
= ing the workings of the system. There
is every reason why Government own
ership should be tried in Washing
tor first.
III the Bell interests come here
and object to this bill it will be be-
cause they know the experiment
would prove a tremendous success
and because they are afraid to give
the proposal an actual trial"
Takes Up Rate Inequalities.
Secretary ,McCparran told of the in
qualities between the rates charged
by the Bell Telephone Company and
the telephone companies organized by
the farmers in Pennsylvania. In one
instance. he said. the Bell Telephone
SD4hpdhs vial SCh ~ NNAAAS AOI a. Can
while the farmers company charged
only cents. He said the Bell Tele-
phone Company repeatedly refused to
lower its rate.
Haven't YOU utilities commission
in Pennsylvania asked Congressman
Ragsdsle. do you think that com
mission would ALLOW the telephone
company to do anything wrong?"
oh, no, certainly not" replied the
witness satirically. "We have an
ideal government in Pennsylvania;
VIGOROUSLY ideal"
FOcht Defends State.
After the committee and audience
had finished, its hearty laughter, Con,
gresham Foeht OF Pennsylvania said:
That statement seems to amuse
the gentlemen, Mr.. McSparran, but 1
want to say that / do not believe
there is a better State government
in the world than there is in Penn
sylvania."
Res1ming his, statement to the com
mittee the witness said a number OF
small, independent companies had
been squeezed out of the telephone
field by the big companies, anc that
necessary service had been discon
tinued in many communities.
While Congressman Ragsdale was
questioning the witness as to his
opinion of the fairness of section .,
of the Lewis bill, providing for tele-
paonic communication between pro-
ducers and consumers of foodstuffs,
Congressman Lewis offered to eX-
plain the point in question.
TIL With COnEresSnan Lewis.
Congressman RagsdaIe said he pre-
ferred to have the witness answer "if
fl would not Inconvenience Mr..
Lewis"
Il think your attitude right along
has been to make trouble for me,
Mr.. Ragsdale," said Congressman
Lewis.
ron the contrary. that is entirely
untrue" said Congressman Ragsdale,
spring to his.feet.
As Afr. Lewis was about to reply
Chairman Johnson raped loudly for
order. and then announced an ad-
journment until tomorrow morning
at 10 O'Clock. Adjournment at IL
o'clock today was agreed upon DE.
cause the House convened at that
hour.
fThere will be no session of the CON-
mittee Saturday. When Adjournment
Is taken tomorrow at noon the hear.
ing will not be resumed until Monday
SGorning.