Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-20
PUBLIC JOINS FIGHT
IN PHONE INCREASE
Representatives Of D. c. Civic
Organizations Throng UtiIi-
ties Commission Hearing.
DISPLAY DETERMINATION

AiuiSdtiHS Willingness TO 90 the conn
pany full justice, but insisting that 1t
show in detail that its demands are
not unreasonable. representatives of a
large number of civic bodies partici-
pated in hearing before the public
utilities commission today on the appli-
cation of the Chesapeake and Potomac
Ieiephone Company to increase rates
TO onset expenses caused by the war.
Not since the creation of the commits
sion has it conducted a hearing in
which the public displayed a more Wig
orous determination to question the
witnesses along its own lines.
Repeatedly Chairman Brownlow was
forced to rule that cross-examination
was not in order. He announced. how
ever. witnesses might be Interrupted to
explain statements which were not un-
derstood. This considerably slowed up
the proceedings. but it produced a
wealth of detail concerning which the
citizens representatives made copious
notes.
Gives individuals Chance.
There was no indication when recess
was reached how long the hearing
might last. Commissioner BrownIow
said full opportunity to cross-examine
the company's witnesses would be af-
torded individuals and representatives
or citizens associations and other
bodies. 1t appeared certain the oppor-
tunity would be availed of extensively.
with the commencement of the pro-
ceeolngs Charles S. Shreye. president of
me Federation Of Citizens Associa-
fS.r
nearing until after January S. He said
tnat the federation, which meets on
thde GATE. desires more time in which to
study the telephone situation; that 1t is
ine purpose of this body to cross-exam-
me the witnesses and develop every
iact that can be developed bearing on
rates.
In overruling the motion Chairman
n,rowniow said that fifteen days had
nad issued, and expressed the opinion
tnat the federation and other orRanixa-
IONS would be in better position to
state their positions after hearing the
Dfeseneation OF the company's case.
Representatives Reserve Rights.
Under this ruling representatives Of
noted their presence, reservinE the
right to participate In the proceedings
At the proper time. =
Jesse T. Crawford Of the Connecticut
ent OF the Board OF Trade. Theodore
e; a:.;,sss sIsd d,s2 Sf he Real Estate Brokers
designated himself as gust one of the
puNic; Is. z. Armstrong Of the Rhode
Island Avenue Suburban Association,
w 3. Todd Of the Columbia Heights
Association. Samuel Herrick OF the Ca
thedral Heights Association, D. F.
Fiefcher OF the Takoma Park Assocfa-
tion. Charles w. Russell of the Bright
wood Park Association and others Of
f1cfally recorded themselves as particle
pants in the hearing,
With these preliminaries eliminated
the company got down to business at
the commission for authority to eIimi-
nate unlimited services and make other
changes in existing tariffs. Robert "
Marye, general counsel for the COM
pany. made brief statement covering
the situation and called as the flrst
witness T. P. Sylvan, assistant to Pres
ident Bethel of the telephone company,
who gave concise history of the oper-
alton of the company in Washington
and the unusual conditions it has been
called on to meet as a result of the
war.
Objects to Sentiment.
Mr.. Sylvan had not progressed far
when Edward e. Clement. the Board of
Trade representative. objected to the
character of his testimony, saying that
he was introducing sentiment into his
description of the difficulties the COM
pany encountered as result of the
war.
One of the citizens association dele
gates interposed an objection about this
time that Attorney Marye was leading
the witness and improving on his an.
swers. In overruling both of these oh
jections the chairman stated that. in
asmuch as the company bases its pIea
for higher rates on the. unusual con-
ditfons created by the war, the COM
mission considers as pertinent teSfi-
mony any facts relating to such CON
ditions and will give the company ev-
every opportunity to develop these
facts.
In his opening statement Attorney
Marye declared that the company has
exhausted all means at its disposal Of
hananng the increased demand for
business and that relief in the form
Continued on Second PageI