The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-21
Says u. S. viii Give Unlimited
Service at This Price and
Still Make Money.
CARNIVAL OF WASTE" NOW
Author of Ownership Bill
Speaks Before Citizens
Federation.

limited" number of calls for private
and residential telephones, will be
given to Washington some day for 81
month, or less, and the United
States Government. which will oper-
ate the system, then will be able to
make money on its investment.
This is the prediction Congressman
of the bill now before Congress call
ing for Federal ownership Of the Dis
trict telephone system, made last
night at a meeting OF the Federation
Of Citizens Associations The meet
ing was held In the board room Of the
District building. One OF the largest
crowds yet attending a session Of the
federation was present.
The fact that Mr.. Lewis was to
discuss his telephone bill brought out
a large attendance. Support of the
bill in every way possible was
pledged to the Congressman when he
concluded his remarks.
Carnival Of Waste, Here.
Characterizing the present tells
phone system in the District as .
carnival of waste" Mr.. Lewis told Of
how Europeans pay less than one
cent a call for their telephone con-
versations. This" he said, lis less
than, half of the postal letter rate"
"In Washington" he continued.
the cost per call is one-half of q street
car fare, and in many instances one
half OF two fares.
with the United States Govern
ment- in charge OF the telephones
the matter would assume an entirely
different aspect. There would be no
seekers for 0 per cent investments.
On the other hand, every one would
ated as cheaply as possible. The
lower the rate, the greater the use.'
would be the motto, rather than the
higher the rate, the bigger the divt
lends
Says Calls Would Double.
Put the 2-cent call rate in effect
here and the number OF telephons
calls would be doubled. There would
be a telephone in practically every
nome in the city.
THE average number Of calls for
each telephone in this country IL 1000
4 year. This is comparatively q small
number, when IL 10 remembered that
he business telephones are included
n the number.
The average cost OF q local call in
in 1914, the Congressman
continued. was AZ cents. In Buffalo II
was four-ffths of a cent, or 20 eeats
a hundred. The low Buffalo rate, he
said, gave q utilization OF about three
times as many calls per phone as are
recorded in Washington.
shows Contrast In Use.
Contrasting the Washington ,itiliza-
ton OF the telephone with that OF
other cities, he said the report Df the
telephone company to the Public Utili-
ties Commission for 1918, covering .
limited service, showed 3O.347 teIs-
phones in use, and 1908, 195 messages
or an average of 500
for each telephone. while
he average for the telephones OF the
country is 1000"
Mr.. Lewis then asked what would
De the objection to making an expert
lchl WIN AuS AiStiASI NCACphOhC
EN-.
1.-THE Government" he said. "is the
greatest patron. 1t pays about $780,
100 a year. or about one-half of the
necessary interest charge. II would
insure complete control of its commun-
cations in safeguarding its eXecu-
i've and military affairs at the seat
" the government.
Suggests Plan OF Purchase.
THE postal chiefs would be here
o settle the problems arising in the
light OF direct experience. and Con
,ress would be able to observe d.
ectly with what success the proposed
experiment. would be conducted.
THE Washington Telephone Com
,sny is vauled at $1,000, 900. This
mount represents the surplus of the
Parcel post. the youngest member OF
he postal family. Why not use the
,old thus brought into the Treasury
II the United States in introducing
N even more useful servant for the
'eople?"
A poll OF the citizens of the Dis
riSt on the Lewis bill is to be taken
" Nthe Federation, and a report a.
o the results made at a later meet