Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-12-23
new PHONE
PROTEST MADE
State and City Will Coop
crate with Club to Sc
cure Connection.

Telephone rates and physical con-
neCtion of the two local exchanges
was the paramount issue at the meet
ing of the directors of the Commercial
club held this moor
The committee appointed at the last
meeting to take the matter up with
submitted a report today concerning
the demand made by the telephone
company for increased rates and the
demand of the Commercial club for
physical connection between the Tri-
State and Northwestern telephones.
The committee reported that a re-
quest had been sent to the state rail-
roada commission asking for the facts
in the case and the demands of the
company concerning increased rates.
A copy of the application of the
Northwestern Telephone company for
the increase was received by the COM
mittee, which, upon consideration Of
state railroad commission that h
Commercial club be informed Of the
date of the hearing SO that it might
sendA.a representation.
Through the information received
from the commission, the Northwest
ern Telephone company has asked for
an increase of from 10 to Is per cent.
saying that If this increase is granted
they intend. to apply for a larger in
crease during the coming year, leav-
ing the impression that the rates asked
for next year would amount to double
the present rates.
The committee further reported it's
intention to be represented at the
hearing to protest against any aunrea-
! sonable developments.
Regarding the matter of physical
connection between the two tele-
phones, the committee reported that
upon taking the matter up with the
telephone company it was notified by
the manager that the company will
not make physical connection between
the two telephone systems. The mat
ter was then taken up by the commit
tee with Mayor H. NJ. Wheeler and
p~lication was made through the city
attorney to the state railroad COM
mission and the postmaster general at
Washington that the company be or
dered to make the connection.
In a petition to the railroad COM
mission it was said that the service
rendered by the Northwestern Tele-
and unreasonable and the rates and
charges made are excessive and un-
reasonable.
The petition will he signed late to-
day by the mayor. the city attorney
and 25 other citizens.
A communication vas also received
from Attorney General VIM. LANCER
of this state, who, upon the request
of the committee, said that if the
club will cooperate with him, the
state will see.that physical connection
is made. The report upon being COM
pleted was approved by the directors
of the Commercial club and the COM
mittee was authorized to cooperate
with the attorney general and the city
ih the matter of bringing about the
: desired end to the affair.
City Attorney Geo. A. Bangs was
present at the meeting and in an ad-
dress before the club pointed out
some needed legislation to be consid-
cred at the next session of the legis.
i ~lature. These neededslaws, Mr.. Bangs
pointed out, would include a public
service corporation lawFa and a law to
provide for a city manager form OF
city government in this state. Both
Of these recommendations were re;
ferred to The state and national at
/ fairs committee, at whose meeting
/ Mr. Ranrs will ha Dresent.