The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-07

the telephone company and extend re-
lief in the form Of general, though
not heavy, increase in cost to tele-
phone user5.
OF great importan e to the Wash
ington public is that the Utilities
Commission has patiently insisted
for months on Escertaining some
thing like the proportion OF
the heavy costs to the com
pany that should be apportiSned to
the Government and to the public OF
the District. Their insistence has re-
suited in ascertaining from the com
pany that war preparations for the
Government were responsible for a
large part Of the huge expenditures
the company claims to have made in
the past year.
Substantially three-fourths OF the
outlay OF money in new equipment
has been entirely due to the sctiVi-
ties OF the Government which has
had hrst call at all times and under
all circumstances. One-fourth of the
Increased cost should be borne by
Washington citizens, according to the
figures.
Attitude Changed.
The telephone company has at last
reached the point where it is willing
to accept what the commission thinks
should be borne by citizens and work
to obtain from the Government what
the Government is really due. At the
beginning Of its petition for Increased
revenues IL showed a splendid will
ingness to unload the whole burden
on the people OF Washington, taking
chances on. getting from the Gov
eminent whatever increase the Gov
erpment should bear.
The Times has lost no opportunity
to point out that citizens OF the Dis
trict should not be compelled to bear
burden that did not belong to
them. All the testimony at hearings
was clear that the purchases OF cost
ly equipment and the bringing here
If hundreds Of expert operators and
workers was largely to supply the
needs Of the Government.
The understanding today Is that
Government officials connected with
all departments nre willing to be fair
with the company and with the pub
lie, but these officials will not will
inRly pay Increased rates until the
facts gathered by the Utilities Com
mission show about what the in
creases shall be. II Is assumed that
the present Government contracts for
telephone service expire June 60, and
when the Government knows where
q stsnds 1t will make contracts at
higher rates, II is now depending
on the Utilities Commissions to OBJ
tain figures showing what the pre-
else situation is. That body is gath
ering these facts as rapidly as the
complications warrant. there being
difficulty in accurately presenting the
precise line Of Government obligation
to the company and OF individual
obligation. II any.
Experts OF the Utilities Commission
and OF the company are said to be
neariyTin agreement that the revenues
OF the company should be increased
about 81 100000 q year in Washing
ton, that there may be a fair return
upon the money invested. and to make
allowances for money to be borrowed
for additional buildings now going
up and equipment for these buildings
that the Government and individuals
may both be provided with improved
service, still far from satisfactory.
The company has told the Utilities
Commission that it will expend in
Washington during the present. cal
endar year close to IS 100000, part OF
this to go for the installation OF au-
tomato service.
Assuming that the Utilities Commits
sion viii accept the view that the
company's revenues ought TO be
sweiled $1,000 600. the probability Is
that the commission will find the citi-
gems OF Washington shall pay from
Sas0OOO to $3.50 900 more each year
for their service. the Government to
meet the balance, from 100000 to
$3.50 900. -
The hint today is that the increase
to be charged Washington people will
be spread evenly over all local users
OF telephones at so much additional
each month, limited and unlimited and
branch telephones. Some attempt may
be made by the commission TO pen
aHze users OF telephones who indulge
in frivolous and unnecessary calls, but
this will be difficult, IL is known.
The Utilities Commission has reach
ed the point where il feels that IL
should not longer delay a decision be-
cause OF pending bills in Congress to
operate the Washington system by the
Government.
The commission has TO power to
establish ownership. and It is not