Evening star., 1917-01-24
PHONE MEN READY
-T0A AID JUS. IN CRISIS
President Bethel Closes His
Reply to Lewis Criticism Of
Local System.
ATTACKS LATTER'S FACTS

Testifying before the District committee
of the House this morning in the hear
ings on the Lewis bill. providing for gov
ernment ownership of the Washington
telephone system, F. H. Bethel. president
of the Chesapeake and Potomac Tele-
phone Company, closed his reply to the
charges made by the author Of the bin
against his and other privately owned
telephone companies.
Mr.. Bethel told the committee that the
rates charged by his company IN Wash
ington are lower than the rates charged
in any other capital city in the world !;
that the local system has satisfied the
public demand for efficient service. and
that the company pays more to the gov
ernment in taxes than 1t collects from
1t for services rendered.
He further claimed to-have shown
that the benefits of telephone COM
munication have been broadly extend
ed to the rural communities which sur
round the District: that the company
shows great consideration for it's en-
ployes, and that the privately-owned
telephone companies of the country
stand ready and willing to help the
government at any time of national
crisis.
A1ded IN m mOD1uZdt1On. o
Earlier in the day Mr.. Bethel had
substantiated this last claim by re-
citing how the Beg system aided the
government at the time of plobi<4zation
last summer.
Within twenty -four hours after the
time when the call for the mobiliza-
tion came" he said, I'VE had installed
a TINS n NeyV Of
complete exchange, connecting the
camp with Albany. Washington, New
York and other cities. Five days later
the government post Office was es-
tablished."
Mr.. Bethel also told how the entire
Bell service was put at the disposal of
the government last summer for forty
hours at the request of the Secretary
of the Navy. that a test might be made
under conditions which would obtain
in war times. He said that record com
municat tions had been made between
the Secretary and various navy yards
throughout the country and even with
ships at sea. Forty-hve seconds was
given by the witness as the time eS-
tabliShed to be necessary to get into
communication with the Pensacola
navy yard from Secretary Daniels desk,
and the communication desired with
the San Diego yard in California was
obtained in twenty eight seconds, he
said.
Called Wonderful Success.
The experiment was called a won
derful success by Secretary Daniels"
said Mr.. Bethel. land tell you, gentle
men, that there is not another nation
on the face of the earth which has at
it's disposal facilities which we offered
the government at that time. facilities
Il . skHy NJ ;1J,
to converse distinctly with the captain
of one of his battleships at sea in a
few seconds time, while l stood beside
him."
Continuing his testimony. Mr.. Bethel
said, in part:
speak with assurance, because l have
personally Investigated the conditions
there. ] have visited telephone Offices
in Europe that would justify action by
the board of health. conditions that
would not be tolerated in this country.
The specially designed buildings of the
Bell telephone companies in America
are constructed not only with view to
telephone apparatus. but with a view
to the health and comfort of the en-
ploye. Careful attention is paid to the
ventilation and cleanliness and comfort
addition there are provided comfortable
rest rooms. reading rooms, dining
rooms. Kitchens and other conveniences
In many of the larger cities sun parlors
and roof gardens are provided for the
woman workers.
Has Benefit Plan.
Further. we have established a ben
eft plan which brings to the employe
pensions. both old age and disability;
accident disability benefits. sickness
disability benefits and death benefits.
Just recently an appropriation of
money has been made to provide suit
ably and adequate sanatoria for those
in our organization who are found to
be afflicted with tuberculosis.
"One of the most astonishing charges
brought against us by Mr.. Lewis was
his statement before the committee on