Evening journal., 1919-04-25
TALK Fight AGAINST
Higher Phone RATE
Col. Slower Asks Council
If Public Was Given OPP
poriuniiy to be Heard
INCOME TAX LAW
ALSO DISCUSSED

Although Colonel Weller e. Slower,
president of the Board OF Assessment
addressed Council last night on two
questions affecting residents Of this
city, that OF the Board OF Public Utili-
ties Commission in allowing the Bell
telephone interests the right TO increase
local telephone rates, and also the ques-
tlon Of whether citizens should pay the
State Income Tax while a case stated
was pending In the courts, Council took
no action in the matters. Representa-
tives Of the Non-Partlsan League, who
were present, said their organization Is
willing 10 cooperate with Council on
the phone rate question or take the
matter mp themselves.
Colonel Stover, in bringing the ques-
tions up, said that under the new
phone rates the citizens would pay
$4,000 a year additional for phone ser
vice after May l. This figure, ne SAID
was based on the fact that there are
ten thousand phones here.
Colonel Stoyer then asked the tol-
lowing questions: -.
"Nas the Board OF Public Utility
Commissioners consulted about the pro-
posed increase2
III consulted. were the facts sup
porting the need Of such increase made
a matter Of public geco d and was the
public given a chance to be heardf
III the facts supporting the Increase
In rates were not given to the Board oi
Public Utility Commissioners, how can
this board determine whether such
rates are fair II II is petitloned at some
time in the near future by some citizen
seeking a reduction in rates2
"Has the Diamond State Telephone
Co or the American Telephone and
Telegraph Co assured the Board Of
Public Utility Commissioners that the
proposed Increase I'm rates is purely
war measure and that it, or they, Will
al once return 10 a lower rate when
control Of the telephone and telegraph
companies is relinquished by the Fed
eral COVE nment?
III The Board Of Public Utility Com
miss.oners was not consulted on the
matter Of the increase IN rates, does Il
intend TO question the right Of the teie-
phone company TO charge such IN
crease2
WAS public notice Of the proposed
increase g sven in the name OF the
Postmaster Gene al OF the United
States or his properly authorized agent
or was the notice given in the name
Of the American Telephone q Tele-
graph Co., or any Of the companies
comprising the Bell System2
III given in the latter manner, are
existing contracts with subscribers
simply suspended during government
control. or are the contracts cancelled
and must subscribers execute new
contracts in order to continue the
service2
Relative 10 the state Insome Tax
Law. Col StOver said that he under
stood a case stated was scheduled Tor
trial at the May term OF Superior
Court. but that from present ind.ca-
lions the case would linger for some
time, there being much BUSINESS be
fore the court. This, he added, would
cause much concern as the tax be
comes payable in June. lie said he did
not think a person would object to the
tax II the law did not eliminate farm
ers and real estate brokers.
The Colonel suggested that in order
TO have the matter settled before the
time for payment OF the taxes. City
CJunol request Attorney General Rein
hardt to ask Governor Townsend to
have the Judges Of the State render an
opinion as TO the constltutlonallty OF
the act without the necessity OF bring
ing a test case into the courts Il was
Col. Stover's opinion that should the
case be brought into court at the May |
term and be continued until Fail, the |
people would have to pay the tax or
be penalized.
Counc Imam Robertson pointed out
that should a case be brought into the
May term OF court. no penalty cauld
be imposed for non-payment or the
tax during the litigation. and that the
citizens OF Wilmington could there
fore restrain from paying the tax until /
the case Is finally settled by the court /
Councilman Mearns suggested that /
Council go on record as informing the 4
people OF Wilmington 10 that effect.
Councilman Robertson suggested /
President OF Council Lyons instruct /
the law committee TO wait upon the |
General and also to talk to |
the Judges and ask them TO do every /
thing In their power 10 have the casr
settled at the May term OF court.
Thfc cloend the dfscuss,On