Arizona republican., 1918-08-17
SHIPS AND PHONES
 TOPICS IF TALKS
 AT ROTARY DINNER

There were two principal and inter- csting talks given at the Rotary club yesterday.
 Will C. Hornberger. who recently re- turned from the coast gave a descrip- tive account of trip of investigation oi the shipbuilders work in the plant of the Los Angeles Shipbuilders and Dock company at San Pedro.
 His talk was big education, and he gave many facts indicating the intense loyalty of the workmen there, and of the trcmedous efforts exerted. and the results now being obtained in the launching of ships after a years fast work in preparatory construction of all tho manufacturing plants that go to make up the essentials of building ships.
 McVey on Telephones
 IT, n. McVey responded to request of tho program committee to make a statement of existing conditions of the telephone company, who ask for an increase of the rate of business telephones in Phoenix. Application is being made to the Arizona Corporation commission for permission to increase business telephone rates from s4 to s5 a month.
 No increase will be asked for the resident phones. As explained by MT. McNey the S4 business rate has been in effect since 1912 when the company purchased the property of the other existing telephone at the time. Since fplpnhnnN h1 in creased it's investment in the Salt River valley from a little in excess of $55L0e0 covering both properties. to a little in excess of $765.500 in 1917.
 Improvements Shown
 In August 1912. there were 3,7S3 tele- phones in Phoenix of which there were 554 duplicates due to dual systems. The merchants having these double phones at that time paid & month for both phones. 50 far said MT. McNey. the company has failed fair return on it's investment"
 In Arizona the largest losses have been in towns. .of Phoenix, which dur ing the year l917 showed a deficit of S6776l and of Tucson of little over See0o0
 Were it not for the rest of the state, and it's long distance operations there would be an unbearable deficit exist = ing.
 Large Field for Calls
 Business men have now large field for calls. being able to reach many more people therefore, using the tele- phones more and making a much greater cost of operation. In fact the business mon now have facilities for reaching B per cent more people than m 1912. and while there mas been this increase in rate asked, increase in service will he given
 An increase in revenue in Phoenix of Sl per month on 900 business tele- phones increasing the revenue in Phoe- nix $500 a month is expected. An in crease is being asked for only in Tucson and Phoenix. for the reason that these two towns are receiving double the service of any other towns in the state. and more work done. in which the revenue is inadequate con- pared with the cost of operation.
 Wages Increased
 Since the company purchased the properties the operators wages have increased 30 per cent. linemen and other help over 20 per cent Sixty-two cents out of every S1 taken in goes back in wages. The average cost used in maintenance and construction is now S2 per cent above that in the year 1914.
 In addition to giving these figures NIT. McVey gave some interesting facts on the valuable war service rendered by inc Bell telephone system to the government in war matters.