The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-07-10
Fair Treatment for Public in
Telephone Rates
By BILL PRICE.

No mere batting" or malicious "naggng' Of a utility
corporation is involved in the injunction asked of the Dis
rlct Supreme Court to present telephone rates author
lied by the Postmaster General and to remain In force for
four months before the Public Utilities Commission feds
itself IN position to take the subject up for investigation
and adjustment
The prime object sought by the citizens who pain
fs and the attorneys who giving their services with
out charge to by court process, possible, the
shackles that bind the Utilities Commission that g
determination be arrived at to how much OF this
telephone burden Washington to be borne by the pub
lie and how much by the United States and District
governments
Testimony before Congressional committee by high
official OF the telephone company that the company had
spent $11 100000 In additions and improvements WASH
lingon to meet Government and other activities In the
The great bulk of this for the Government compar
lively little for the public which obtained service that
aggravatngy Inadequate and yet the existing rates
made to enable the company to financial return
upon expenditures not properly chargeabe to the public
Is it fair that the public should pay the bili
If the courts grant the injunction it would then Boz
'up to the telephone company to 60 the Public Utilities
Commission and seek relief If that body should refuse
the Government such rates as to transfer the burden
where it belongs the company would have clear right q
appeal to the courts to compel the Government to adjust
matters that the public would not be unfairly assessed
The Public Utilities Commission semi-Federal body,
has heretofore refused take any action to rates charged
the Government and recently declined to take the present
rates authorized by Federal official
For years Government departments and bureaus were
given special rates that far below what the public
compelled to pay for the same service The unanes
fof that caused Government officials short time ago to
make agreements pay the for service that is
charged commercial and business institutions
But this is still discrimination against the private
usern of the facts The service given the Government
costs than that given the private subscriber to SWITCH
boards the volume of operation is larger and special fa
ties are put at the disposal of Federal authorities and
workers.
This is proper but the costs of doing this should Be
borne by the benecaes and there relief for the pub
lie unless the courts the situation and compel fair
REIMBURSEMENT.
Government officials do not desire discrimination or
unfairness There simply Government body charged
with doing the right thing having authority to make
adjustment of rates. What is everybody's business is
nobodys business. The rates. they stand now, are
higher to the public than to the Govern
Iment-therefore discriminatory.
The purport of the court action is broader than
nears There is no attempt to harass the telephone
pany and the men who have brought it. especially the high
class attorneys who giving their time for the public free
of charge deserve praise and support.