Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-13
LEWIS TELEPHONE BILL
OPPOSED BY CITIZENS
Congress Heights Improvement As
ISOLATION Members Defend
Present Service Here.
Bell Representatives Give Side of
Company-Street Car Service
Is Criticised.

j. E. Boisseau, Baltimore publicity
agent of the Bell Telephone system,
presented the telephone companys side
OF the government ownership of tele-
phones in the District, as proposed by
the Lewis bill, to members of the Pub
lie Improvement Association of Con-
gress Heights last night
The Bell system in this country is
twenty years ahead of practically all
other industries in the service that il
renders the public, he said. Govern
ment ownership would be a hardship
rather than benefit to the public, he
contended. Mr.. Boisseau said that an
average of 100000 calls were made
each day in this country. and that the
city of Chicago alone had as many
telephones as the entire country of
France. He stated that the United
States used 65 per cent of the tele-
phones in the world. while the popuIa-
ton was but per cent
Attention was called to the enormous
expenditure made by the company in
placing the underground cable system be-
tween Washington and Boston, and also
the line across the continent claiming
mat the latter undertaking was a loss
10 the company, the principal idea being
10 provide service. He compared the
twenty-four-hour service given users in
this country to that in a number of for
eign countries where service is discon-
tinued at night
On the list of February there were
oos2o telephones in use in the District. as
against 10000 in 1907, showing that the
past ten years
J. F. slavin of the local company was
also present
declares Service Excellent.
AT the close of the address the MEM
oers discussed the telephone PROPOSE
tion. Gustave Bender maintained that
the service was excellent but that the
rates were too high, and favored a re-
duction in rates rather than govern
ment ownership. Edward Blaine Of
Tered motion that the association on
pose the Lewis bill on the ground tba,
no Improvement whatever will resnIt
from It's adoption. l.. d. Weeks cited
many instances in government depart
ments to show the old-fa sbiopea ,nath
DDS employed. and stated that govern
Ineht ow nershfp will retard rather
than assist any public utility. Ed
ware j. Mewcomb also spoke on the
SUBJECT The discussion favored Iou,er
rates. but not government OWNERSHIP
but no vote was taken
street car conditions were severely
S.Iticistu ny the association and an
other attempt viii be made to Obtain
improved service. Gustaye Ranlar ,e.'a ~
scented the matter, stating that i, ~
mornings. between 7.45 and $40 ~
cars gong to the city re very cro,rdad
Edward Blaine cited several ~
stances where ~ many as 1p5 ~
sensers were on one ear palxi,ap 20"
absolutely impossible for otbers :, =.
BOARD The association wants eyerr
car now operating to Anarostia -,
through TO Congress Heights. beljevips
this would eliminate the condftion n ~, :
existing. nv !"
School Improvement.
Inc committee on schools reported
that the clock in the school tower ba6
been repaired. A letter was read r.
the effect that a sidewalk would h.
placed around The school grounds tb;.
coming season. and at that time III.
yard would be improved
The Congress Heights BRASS R.,,
advised the association that it would
give concerts during the sumne,
months. and asked the cooperation o.
the association in securing the neces
sary permits and grounds The asso
citation unanimously indorsed IN.
movement, and appointed a sspecia
committee composed of Messrs New.
comb. Blaine and Aiagruder TO arranC,
the details.
Postal facilities We're criticised and .
resolution, adopted asking the most
master to obtain additional collections
w. L. Ballard and Jacob WaIdmaI
were elected to membership. ].
Lyon. first vice president, conductef
the meeting.