Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-08-16

telephones and how the peo-
pie in general felt about it.
The mayor Of Eugene, 9. 0. Peterson
writes. "'The city of Eugene has taken
no concentrated action in regard to put
ting in of an independent system. OF
course there is more or less complaint
about the high rates, but ! believe the
general opinion is eentered on the pur-
pose of the action Of the public service
commission after hearing is had com
meneing August 21
81 believe it is quite unlikely that
Eneene will take any action towards es-
tablisbing an independent telephone
system. Certainly none until the com
mission has finally fixed the rates so
that we may feel there will be some
permaneney concerning it. y
The mayor of Portland through his
secretary writes: "The city Of Port
land at one time considered the pur-
chase of the Home Telephone company
but was unable to make the purchase.
The subject of establishing a separate
system has been given some, eonsidera-
ton lately but nothing definite has re-
suited owing to the fact that an enor-
nous outlay would be necessary under
present conditions and until the last
few months, the telephone rates have
not been considered exorbitant. Our
efforts have been directed more IN the
direction of fight the legality of the IN
crease as put into effect by the federal
government
The mavor Of Klamath Falls, j. X.
struble sizes up the situation from ms
standpoint as follows: "The city Of
Klamath Falls has not heretofore taken
any action looking to the installation
Of a municipality owned telephone sys-
TEN. This is due primarily to the fact
that the finances of the city would not
at this time warrant the expense neees-
sarilv incident TO such system. IL IS
thought however by the city govern
mcnt that this city should own its own
telephone system and steps looking to
that end will undoubtedly be taken IN
the near future. Rest assured that this
eitv will be with You heart and soul IN
your efforts to get away from the price
of slavery that the Oregon public serv-
ice commission and the federal govern
ment has foisted upon Us all. J."
Carr f. wimberly, city attorney Of
Roseburg, in the absence Of the mayor,
answered Mr.. Mays questions as fol-
lows:9 II agree with you that we must
stand together on the question Of COM
batting the profiteers, but l believe our
efforts at the present time in the mat
ter of the telephone should be directed
towards making as ereditable a show
ing as possible at the hearing which
has been ordered by the public service
commission at Portland, August 27.'
The mayor of The Dalles, P. j. Stedle.
man, lines up for city owned phones al
follows: "I am heartily in sympathy
with the subject of municipality owned
telephone systems and fully agree thai
unless something is done to halt th'
ever advancing rates the time is neai
when many families as well ss busi
ness houses will discontinue the use O
the telephone"
The mayor Of Harrisburg, R. X. Bur
ton, who is also president Of the Firs
National bank there, writes: "We ar
unfortunately located in small villag
where our service is back number. Ou
entire phone system consists Of lot o
phones that were too antiquated for thi
larger towns and were kicked out ther
and installed here.
"In regard to the recent raise ,
rates. the city council has instructed m
10 register kick with the telcphon
company. No town Of the size Of Har
! risbure can afford to own its own tele
phone system. but in case Of state
wide system, we might consider il" "
From Oregon City the mayor writes
"Wil say that nothing has been don
by the city officially but there has bee
great deal Of complaint made TO Z
and lot Of dissention from the cit
zens.n
\ F. Z. Morrison, mayor Of Springfield
H writes: OWN say that We have not a
a city council taken up the matter bu
We are expecting to, snd ! am sure tia
anvthina along She lines of munieipa
/ Telephones would meet with the apprs
val Of our people. When you get fur
ther along with the matter, let rs kho'
and We shall be glad to cooperate wit