Evening star., 1918-01-05
TO URGE FEDERAL I.
. PHONE OWNERSHIP
Citizens Participating in Hear
ing for Higher Rates Have
Trump Card to Play.
SEEK AID OF CONGRESS

Congress is to be asked TO investigate e
the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company's request for higher rates, in
connection with bills now pending in
both the Senate and House for govern
ment ownership and operation OF tele-
phone lines In the District of Columbia.
-sThis is the big card that representa-
tives of civic bodies who are participant
ing In the telephone rate proceedings
before the public utilities commission
are planning to play, it was learned to-
day through authentic sources.
The company's application to put high
or tariffs into effect admittedly has
made friends for the government owner
ship plan One of these is Charles S.
Snreve. president of the Federation of
t1tfzens' Associations. who, though here
tofore opposed to the municipality TAX
Ing over the telephone lines, this morn
sng issued a statement to the effect that
ne mad become convinced the interests
Of the telephone-usine public would be
best served by this step. There will be
2 meeting tonight of the federation
when the telephone matter is to be con-
Sldered from every angle, and adoption
nI Important resolutions is expected.
Il Accomplish Double Purpose.
Il 1t is urged by the government own
srship proponents that if Congress will
time it not only will be in position to
extend relief to District citizens, but
viii obtain sufficient information to
enable 1t to pass intelligently on the
proposition as to whether the govern
fnent should take over and operate the
telephone business in the District.
While speculation as to what the
Ntiiities commission is going to do is
premature just now, evidences are null
fiplying in support of the theory that
rail- of IN ha
Qany. but not to the extent requested.
strong indication of this was fur
Nfshed at the hearing today in a query
eddre9sed by Commissioner Gardiner
70 =. p. Sylvan, assistant to President
Nethel of the company, as to whether
the company would consider reason
hble an allowance of thousand calls
year for $4s. the present charge for
hilows 600 calls for s36; 500 calls for
k45 and a thousand calls for S54 per
ennum.
Mr.. Sylvan expressed the opinion that
while the company would profit by such
3 rate as suggested by Commissioner
Gardiner it would be unfair to the bulk
pr subscribers because of the inability
70 arrange an equitable excess charge
4ver the rates now maintained for the
Neveral measured services.
From Flat Rate Subscribers.
may uc Sdlu upon reliable au1Dor-
Hysthat the commission has been i'm
fessed by Mr.. Sylvan's testimony of
yesterday that of 60.o00,0e0 calls a year
yer local lines 100000 or more than
Malf. are from fiat rate subscribers, who
represent only one-flfth of the total
hbscribers.
;EIhis is considered an inequality
Shich should be overcome
The consensus today was that the
&ommission will take some steps to re-
4nce the amount of unnecessary tele
4honlng. which the company claims is
ae thing that prevents efficient serv-
ces The company contends that an
Increase in rates viii reduce the
4fnount of useless calls and, therefore,
the commission caH devise a. plan
y4sreby the ssG5e feshitsca6 .bes effected
Without the necessity of increasing rates
u. in any event, of boosting them to the
Ip1nt called for in the company's abpli-
&tioH, it undoubtedly Will take some such
4ctton. it is believed by those who have
1$iioWed the developments thus far.
= Suggestion has been made that the com
Qissfoi appeal to the public to conserve
Q1ephone calls as war measure jIast
- II has been appealed to TO conserve
1Dod and fuel
& Charles W Russell of the Bright wood
Eltfzens' Association cross examined
IT. Sylvan this morning. and other
4yic body representatives, Including
Edward E. Clement of the Board Of
Grade. were prepared to take up the
questioning when Mr. Russell had con-
<7uded. Guy Mason. representing the
- yesterday afternoon in asking Mr.
sylvan questions. The inquiry is ex-
0ected to extend well into next week
dnd possibly longer.