Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-07-11
farmers OBJECT TO
TELEPHONE RATES
Manager Ruth Why Charge Is
Made for Connection With Pull
.,.n After Years Contract
Is Paid

- several rural telephone lines
whv connection charge is now
III Cor service with Pullman when
! .,o;on for such charge was not
ao IN the connection contracts
i an The Inland Cooperative associa-
II. which are paid up until Janu-
- 1920. j. c. Ruth, manager of
/. loeal system, entered into COM
.,0,a discussion of the telephone sys-
I'm at the meeting of the chamber
!, commerce Tuesday, clearing up
nsny points which have been the
ause Of dissatisfaction in the past.
i E Manager Ruth was called upon by
D ~ chair TO explain the situation at
IS 10 outset of the discussion, but took
& Doint Of view shared by many mem
d hors when he declined to open the
5 discussion, asking that complaints be
le made before the chamber first.
" Charles Burnham, a subscriber on
Line II. objected to the 10 cent con-
y rection charge between the Albion
7 and pullman exchanges which, he
y said was placed in force without no.
Il tire TO the subscribers and after they
had paid their yearly toll until Jan
uay /, 1920. Joseph Naffziger, ST.,
representing Line 3, took the same
y viewpoint, stating that the subscrib-
: ss expected service when they paid
their annual dues and that the con
nection fee should have been insti-
" tuted before the dues were collected
fatal. Subscribers on Line | took
: the same stand.
!, In answering the objections Man
agsr Ruth dealt with the telephone
system In its entirety. He took ex-
eepton to the alleged policy of cit
4 liens and farmers in spreading dis
A senson and scattering tacks' in the
path Of the telephone concern. He
!. objected to the method adopted by
:. the chamber of commerce in its at
~ Tempt to get an index TO the senti-
4. nent of the members in regard to
ne phone situation, stating that had
ID nose members been invited to stand
al FAo found no objection to any bust
70 ness in Pullman a like result, no
MEMBER on his feet, would have been
y noted
as manager Ruth stated that he did
It wy deem II necessary to enter into a
be discussion of the increased rates Of
81 me company in the face of the find
gs OF the federal representative
VINO Investigated the situation and
ue state public service commission,
D. sacn ratified the rates, these find
uss being based on the greatly in
Or ueased cost of labor, materials, and
"us'hing that enters into the oper-
s1On OF telephone exchange In
usased rates, he contended, must
NOV II the company is to survive.
ed " elalmed that the local company
lr @ better equipment to serve the
Al erns
Inc general objections of the peo-
be = we're discussed by Manager Ruth,
hs pointed out that many of these
ar '9lsc1lons are not founded ON real
10 anu In many cases the trouble
ls iauit OF the subscriber himself,
ith 'lO, IN his anxiety to get a number
- oiten places the company at
a disadvantage through his own
sp oh' although, when this fa,lt
OVered, he is seldom willing
~ knowledge the situation.
on ae's and figures were quoted TO
ID .uat connections are made at
~ exchange much more quick
Ike Ihanges
= an.,. with the rural telephone
ii. Manager Ruth laid much OF
o. 'a'ne at the feet of the sub
themselves, some of when,
Y ho, nave not looked after their
'Or 3 years. You cant ex.
asss. ~ service when your receiver,
alt,.s and ground rod are per-
y lon ~ 10 years without inspec-
autA.s said. The company. he
nan, u' gets the blame which, in
lie asses should properly go to
~ val subscriber, who is expect
'V lie. Asep his own instrument and
n, working order.
"u'n agreed with the object
o. sat- - some farmers are payinq
tCc which fho.. -. - -