Evening star., 1918-01-03
TO HEAR TESTIMONY
ON PHONE increase
Public Utilities Commisson
Begins Consideration of
Request Tomorrow.
PUBLIC HAS EVIDENCE

With Corporation Counsel Conrad H.
Syme and representatives OF number
of trade and civic bodies prepared to
ask some pointed questions. cross-ex-'
animation will begin before the public
utilities commission tomorrow in the
case of the telephone company's appli-
cation for rate increase.
Mr.. Syme will begin the proceedings.
Citizens will get the right to conclude
the questioning, 1t was indicated
today. After that tho public may
ask for the opportunity to submit
some evidence of its own. II the cross
examination does not permit the devel-
opment of all facts considered impor-
tant.
Edward f. Clement Of the Board OF
Trade and Jesse P. Crawford of the Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Associations will fol-
low the corporation counsel in conducting
the cross examination. and 1t is expected
that others will take part in the proceed
ings Both of these citizens representa-
tives have obtained considerable amount
OF data from other cities bearing on the
telephone situation in general. and 1t is
understood they are prepared to make
suggestions designed to protect subscribe
ers against the higher rates sought.
Has Obtained Information.
has obtained information from the bu-
reau of standards which will be of con-
siderable value to It in arriving at a
conclusion as to the reasonableness or
unreasonabIeness OF the company's ap-
plication.
ci,,, +b~ cor,-on- an;.h.a th~ rr>~
entation of its case protests against the
commission taking favorable action
have Reached that body by the score.
Every mail has brought fresh COM
plants. and they are still being received
at lively clip. No proposition ever
considered by the commission has re-
ceived a more general or strenuous OBJ
lection from the public.
One of the letters, received by the
commission from Henry B. Armes. was
as follows:
Suggestions From Friend.
It write you as a private citizen of
the District of Columbia to express my
views on the telephone controversy. In
the first place 1 would like to be under
stood as offering these suggestions as
a friend rather than as an enemy of
the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company. / believe that the thinking
people of the District of Columbia, ap-
preciating the unquestioned BENEFITS
which result to its citizAAs from the
proper and efficient operation of their
public utilities. desire 70 see them pros
per, and know that without reasonable
prosperity these corporations cannot
be expected to render efficient service.
do not ask for service for nothing or
for service at q figure that will not give
those who have invested their funds in
our public utilities a fair return on
Legitimate capital intelligenty ex-
pended All that I ask in connection
with your decision in this telephone
matter is that Justice be done both to
the company and to the public. I de-
sire to express my appreciation Of the
eHor Is which you are now making to
solve this question.
THE Chesapeake and Potomac Te1e-
phone Company has notified us Of their
proposed withdrawal of the - hat rate
for residences which has been In force
here for a number OF years. Would it
be possible for you TO obtain informa-
tion from other cities having approxi-
mately the same population as Wash
ington or greater showing whether the
local telephone companies In those
cities make q fat residence rate. and at
what figure? II an unlimited service is
furnished at other representative cities
1t would appear fair that the same
should be continued in Washington.