Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-22
DMISE ACTION
IN PHONE RATES
Bic Service Commission
Expected to Upset New
1 Schedule Ordered
LREADY OPERA A TIF E
|usiness Mems Association
Files Formal Protest in
# Harrisburg

X.Action will be taken Immediately by
nv Public Service Commission against
&4 new telephone rates ordered by
50k1naster General Burleson.
{Xhis announcement was made at Har-
5drg this afternoon after the legal
tesentative of the United Business
1Sh's Association of this city had filed
protest against the new rates.
W Meanwhile the rates have gone into
So6ect.
VXI. II. Kinnard. vice president and gen.
4 &fnl manager of the Bell Telephone
lCompany of Pennsylvania. said today he
Ecnew nothing officially about any sus-
Ipansion of the new rates.
~The new rates have gone into effect
Xeoad Mr.. Knnard. "I have no alterna-
Itiye but to obey Postmaster General
yH0rleson's orders until I am told not
Ito do so by some higher authority.
IklkssSo far ] have received no formal
ratification from the State Public Serv-
Y lcs Commission that the new rates will
h BE- suspended"
ili Members of the commission, when
aoon today at. Harrisburg, said that
y Trey are undecided as to the method
~ procedure, whether II shall be in the
\ courts or before the commission itself.
XVUelr jurisdiction uOeS HOt eNteHu ~
iuterstate business,
4 The chief opposition to the new rates
= mined at increases in short-distance
y calls. Some have been increased as
4 much as 100 per cent. although calls to
Son Francisco and other far-away points
lFnfa now cheaper.
1A vigorous protest was filed by the
united Business Mems Association. The
Manufacturers Association of Chester
also filed formal protest with the State
sonmission.
In New Jersey the new rates were sus-
snded by the Public Utilities Commits
don, but the telephone company officials
IGNORED the suspension order. A hear
ing will be given next Monday at Tren-
ton in the United States District Court
BY Judge Rellstab, at which Postmas-
ter General Burleson and the operating
companies must show cause why an in
4 junction against the new rates should
mot be granted.
eN Public Service Commissions in Ohio.
4 Indiana and Michigan also have ordered
Telephone company officials to ignore
the new rates.
f4 Washington. Jan. 22.-Protests from
\ a dozen State Public Service Commits
" Oions against the Administration meas
|axWere presented to the House PostotIice
'ommittee.
AL Better and cheaper service will result
,<frrm private management under effi-
w 1t State commissions than under the
IA sent CONTROL" declared Charles L.
az nuist. representing the National AS
IN ttion of Railway and Utilities Com
IN tons, in offering the protests.
M position to the legislation was ex-
bressed in kilograms from the commits
Fsions Of Maine Rhode Island, Illinois,
Indiana New York. Mississippi. New
Jersey. Wisconsin. Minnesota. Oregon.
Nevada. Tennessee and Michigan. The
North Dakota commission favored mer-
ger, of wires under government control.
rbut suggested that states retain police
powers over the utilities.
~ mo injury wilf result to the public
I Interest IL the companies are turned
BACK to private operation Immediately"
Mr. Elmquist said. adding that govern
ment control, with dividends guaran-
feed during the readjustment period,
would be favored by the companies.
lk Trenton, y. j., Jan. 22.-Upon applica-
II Hon of L. Edward Hermann, counsel for
the New Jersey Public Utility Commits
\ zion, Judge Relstab signed an order in
the United States District Court last
Y night under which the right of Post
/ master General Bu-leson to increase tel
ephone rates within this jurisdiction viii
be reviewed by the court next Monday
tF Judge Rellstab declined to grant ar
order enjoining the operation of the In
creased rates pending a determinatior
Of the proceedings.