The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-07-06
PHONE Co. GIVES
EVASIyE REPLIES
TOUTILITIESD0ARD
tcontinusd from first Pags.J

Continued from First Pags)
have, answered. Many Of these aues-
lions concerned statistical data, but
the majority OF them inquired about
the type Of automatic or seml-auto-
matte equipment to be Installed under
the promise OF March 10, the operat-
ing methods TO be followed during
the transition, the date on whlch
the installation would start, esti-
mates regarding the traffic hand
ling capacity OF the proposed new
equipment. estimated original cost
OF installation, cost OF operation, de-
tailed statements of amortiEAtion,
estimated revenues. operating ex-
penses. and many other pertinent in
auiries.
WIN Net InstaI sy.ten.
To All these questions. one after
the other, the Hon. r. v. Marie makes
answer, sAs We do not propose to
install automatic or ssmfautomatic
central office equipment. etc. the con-
pany cannot give estimates or data
as to anything. Simply inpossibis 70
do.fe No regrets or anything else
The one pVomise made is that ths-
-ompany sis prepared TO natal auto
matte branch exchanges equipment ~
Washington as the same may be sup
piled to Us by the Manufacturers bat
Il will not replace private branch
exchanges by automatic
When II says Il viii not do q thing
It means It, for the attorneys told the
commission nearly two weeks age
that the commission had no power
to compel automatic installation.
Manufacturers quote private branch
automatic equipment At from $50 20
800 per station.
other Qaestlons Unansxersd.
Other questions OF the commission
sought to obtain a sepsr6tion OF the
revenues and expenses and capital
IN use IN toll and long distance bust
ness as distinct from the local bust
ness; ALLEGATION OF revenue derived
from, expenses assignable to and
hxed capital in use and useful for
as between the United States Govern
ment. district government and the
Washington public. together with "a
statement Of the basis Of ALLEGATION
employed. go, svst
Tess were exceedingly important
questions to the public OF Wishing
ton as showing how much OF the
heavy costs OF operation IN the past
year were due TO the Government. 20
ASH6 AA1NaAA~Cu AAAa 70 kuG nCOUlEa ueLI.
To these exceedingly Important
questions the reply is brief and de-
cisive: "Our records and accounts are
not kept so as to show the allocatioas
requested, nor do we know any. ac-
cepted basis for making such ailoca-
ton
That Is. the company wants in
creased rates from both the pabIie
In Washington. long distance tele-
phone users and the United States
without giving up a
Of these may be responsible for the
heavy financing that Is necessary.
Dee to U. $. service.
Il Is privately admitted that three
OF the extra expense was due
to the United States Government's re-
but the company does not
say a thing about spending million
or SO OF money in long distance i'm
proyements- between here and New
York.
Mr.. Marie says that as engineers
diner seriously as to the relative
merits Of manual and automatic
equipment. the company deems u bes.
TO stand pat on the manual system
here In the face OF these differences; Z
likewise having in mind the injune-
lion of the Federal Government
against unnecessary expenditure OF
The manual system, he
claims, has demonstrated that It can
render adequate, safe. and reason
able telephone service to the public"
Data as to cost Of Installation and
operation OF automatic and semi
automatic systems will be given to
the Utilities Commission next Tues
lay by experts of the Burtau of
who will appear with .
mass Of fatcs gathered through .
number OF years.